| Bismillah
Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)
Concerning the celebration of birthdays.
To make this clearer we would like to say that Islam approves only two feasts there is no third feast. The evidence is the Hadith reported by Imam Abu Dawood from Anas (Radiya Allahu Anhu) that The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) came to Madinah while, people there had two days they played in. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) asked, ‘what are these two days?’ They said, ‘these are two days we used to play in, in our Jahiliyyah’. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, ‘Allah has replaced them with two better days: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr’ .
If the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) had known any other Eid surely, he would have informed his companions.
In addition, celebrating such an occasion is nothing but an imitation of Kuffars, while a Muslim has to be distinguished from them in all aspects. Imitating Kuffars and trying to look like them is Haram.
Rasullulah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa salam) has said, “Whosoever impersonates a nation (other than Islam) will be (resurrected) from them on the day of judgment”. (Sunan Abu Dawud)
It may even sometimes drive them out from Islam, if there is any sign of love and affection for Kuffar in their heart.
Allah Ta’ala says,
“O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies (i.e. disbelievers and polytheists, etc.) as friends, showing affection towards them, while they have disbelieved in what has come to you of the truth (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, this Quran, and Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), and have driven out the Messenger (Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and yourselves (from your homeland) because you believe in Allah your Lord! If you have come forth to strive in My Cause and to seek My Good Pleasure, (then take not these disbelievers and polytheists, etc., as your friends). You show friendship to them in secret, while I am All-Aware of what you conceal and what you reveal. And whosoever of you (Muslims) does that, then indeed he has gone (far) astray, (away) from the Straight Path.” (60:1)
If celebrating one’s own birthday is not permissible for a Muslim then how would it be permitted to attend the birthday party of a Kafir or a Muslim?
However, if one does participate in a birthday party will be comitting a sin of not obeying Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam).
We pray to Allah to guide us to the right path, make us steadfast on the right path.
And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK
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