Allah
says in the Holy Quran: “There is indeed the best example for you to follow in
the Messenger of Allah (Mohamed saws), for every such person who looks forward
to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.” (33:31)
The
verse means that if a person believes in Allah and Last Day should try to
follow the steps of messenger Muhammad (PBUH) for he is the best example to
mankind. A person should do everything that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did and
stay away from things that he didn’t do and forbade there doing. Therefore its mandatory to ask ourselves
before doing anything whether Prophet approve do this action or not? In Islam
birthdays have never been an event to be celebrated or rejoiced at. Eid-ul-Fitr
and Eid-ul-Adha are the only two festivals or events that have been celebrated
and asked to celebrate. All
others are innovations for which there is no basis in Islam. Conceptually
birthdays are not something to be celebrated or happy about. At every birthday
one year of the life decreases then what intelligence entails to celebrate them? As mentioned above a believer should act
according to the teachings of Prophet and moreover imitation of the unbelievers
(Kuffar) is something that Islam strictly disapproves of. In a Hadith recorded
by Imam Abu Dawud (Allah have Mercy on him) and others, The Messenger of Allah
(PBUH) said: “Whosoever imitates a nation is amongst them.” (Sunan Abu Dawud,)
The word ‘Imitating’ mentioned here can be explained in two ways
a)
One does something with the intention of imitating the Kuffar, meaning one does
so because one wants to be like a particular non-believer or non-believers.
b)
Doing something that is unique and exclusive to the non-believers or it is part
of their faith. This will also be considered imitation, thus Haram (unlawful).
The
above explanation birthday indicates that celebrating birthdays is a kind
of bid’ah or innovation in religion, which has no basis in the pure sharee’ah
and is like intimating of Jews and Christians.. It is not permitted to accept
invitations to birthday celebrations, because this involves supporting and
encouraging bid’ah. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says
(interpretation of the meaning):“Or have they partners with Allah (false gods)
who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed…?”
[Al-Shoora 42:21]
The
Prophet (PBUH) said, warning us against following their ways and traditions:
“You would follow the ways of those who came before you step by step, to such
an extent that if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would enter it too.”
They said, “O Messenger of Allah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He
said, “Who else?” (Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of
them. Thus birthdays should not be celebrated because Islam does not allow nor
it is the way of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
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