Celebrating Birthdays

I would like to know if celebrating birthdays (your own or your child’s birthday) is bid`ah [an invention in religion] or wrong in Islam? Are there any references that you can point me to? 

Reply

Celebrating birthdays is a matter about which the Shari`ah is silent. A Bid`ah is a new act [which also implies a modification, in any way, of an existing act], which is introduced in religion or is, in some way given a religious significance without the authority and the substantiation of the Qur’an or the Sunnah. For example, if we say that celebrating a birthday is a good deed and shall be rewarded in the hereafter, it shall then become an introduction of a new issue in religion and shall thus become a bid`ah. Thus, celebrating birthdays would be termed as “bid`ah” only when their celebration is considered a religious event. In view of this explanation, one can easily say that celebrating such birthdays or (death) anniversaries, which are given a religion significance, would definitely fall under the category of Bid`ah, for example celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (pbuh) etc.

We are aware of the fact that, generally, celebrating birthdays is not given any religious significance, and therefore they cannot fall under the category of bid`ah. Celebrating birthdays is actually a western tradition and it is up to the individual to decide about it. The Shari`ah has nothing to say about it. However, as is the case of all kinds of celebrations and social gatherings, these gatherings should also not be pompous in nature and should also not entail any disregard to any other directive of the Shari`ah. ¹

I hope this explanation answers your question. You can always get back if you are still unclear. However, this is only my opinion in this regard and I admit any chance of mistake in forming this opinion. I would be open to other points of view if based on stronger reasons. May Allah guide us all towards the right path.                         

Amar Ellahi Lone

1- An interesting fact, however is that birthdays – whether our own or our loved one’s – are a great occasion to remind ourselves of the numerous and the priceless blessings of our Creator on us. It is, indeed, a great occasion of expressing our gratitude towards our Lord. Thus, a birthday would be celebrated -- in the real sense of the word -- with our sincere expression of heartfelt gratitude towards the ultimate source of all the blessings that we enjoy in life. The Prophet (pbuh) has taught us to fast, offer nawaafil [i.e. non-obligatory prayers], or give charity as an expression of our gratitude towards the Almighty.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we were to add this particular aspect of celebration in our birthdays too? (The Learner)