BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

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Ummzaina

Junior Member
:salam2:

I found the following article on the net...
I thought of sharing it as many muslims in many parts of the world continue to celebrate BIRTHDAYS which is a Pagan practice even according to the early Chriatians and Jews, yet we muslims still continue with it....

I personally have had some muslims questioning me the reason why I do not celebrate birthdays, "is it because it is a Christian practice?"
DUH!!! IT IS A PAGAN PRACTICE!!!

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Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays?
By cogwriter

Although many who profess Christ celebrate birthdays, birthdays were not celebrated by those in the early church. There is no hint in the Bible or early writings that Jesus, the apostles, or any true Christians ever celebrated birthdays.

So what is the origin of birthdays? Where did the idea of birthdays celebrations come from?

Originally the idea [of birthday greetings and wishes for happiness] was rooted in magic. The working of spells for good and evil is the chief usage of witchcraft. One is especially susceptible to such spells on his birthday, as one’s personal spirits are about at that time. Dreams dreamed on the birthday eve should be remembered, for they are predictions of the future brought by the guardian spirits which hover over one’s bed on the birthday eve. Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day. Good wishes bring good fortune, but the reverse is also true, so one should avoid enemies on one’s birthday and be surrounded only by well-wishers. ‘Happy birthday’ and ‘Many happy returns of the day’ are the traditional greetings” (The Lore of Birthdays, Linton, p. 20)...

The giving of birthday gifts is a custom associated with the offering of sacrifices to pagan gods on their birthdays. Certainly the custom was linked with the same superstitions that formed the background for birthday greetings. “The exchange of presents… is associated with the importance of ingratiating good and evil fairies… on their or our birthdays” (ibid.). The traditional birthday cake and candles also have their origin in ancient pagan idol worship. The ancients believed that the fire of candles had magical properties. They offered prayers and made wishes to be carried to the gods on the flames of the candles. Thus we still have the widely practiced birthday custom of making a wish, then blowing out the candles. The Greeks celebrated the birthday of their moon goddess, Artemis, with cakes adorned each month and day is sacred; and found out from the day of a man’s birth, what he will meet with in the course of his life, and how he will end his days, and what sort of man he will be” (Herodotus, Persian Wars, Book II, ch. 82). Since it was believed that the positions of the stars at the time of birth influenced a child’s future, astrological horoscopes came into being, purporting to foretell the future, based on the time of birth. “Birthdays are intimately linked with the stars, since without the calendar, no one could tell when to celebrate his birthday. They are also indebted to the stars in another way, for in early days the chief importance of birthday records was to enable the astrologers to chart horoscopes” (The Lore of Birthdays, p. 53). Rawlinson’s translation of Herodotus includes the following footnote: “Horoscopes were of very early use in Egypt… and Cicero speaks of the Egyptians and Chaldees predicting… a man’s destiny at his birth"...

When we examine the principles of God’s law closely, as they relate to birthday celebrations, we can understand why neither Christ, nor His Apostles, nor their true followers, observed their birthdays. As noted earlier, the practice has its origin in idolatry and the worship of the sun, moon and stars...Some may view birthday customs as purely secular, lacking any religious significance. Yet we need to be aware of the broader perspective of their origins, and the religious significance they have had—and still have—for vast multitudes of people.

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:tti_sister: :astag: :hijabi:

Quran 002 ayat 106
"None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?"

Quran 003 ayat 164
" Allah did confer a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a messenger from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the Signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in Scripture and Wisdom, while, before that, they had been in manifest error."

Quran 029 ayat 064
"What is the life of this world but amusement and play? but verily the Home in the Hereafter,- that is life indeed, if they but knew."

:wasalam:
 

um muhammad al-mahdi

لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله
Staff member
right!

:salam2: sister umm zaina,

very nice thread :ma:

I completely agree with you. And I feel sorry when I see or know about muslims that celebrate it. And even if they know it's not an islamic celebration they keep celebrating it year after year.

If every muslim doesn't start to follow for real his/her religion.....where we gonna go??? Ya rabbi!!!!!

:salam2:
 

jabba

Salafi Dawah is the best
Ummzaina;94590 I personally have had some muslims questioning me the reason why I do not celebrate birthdays said:
:salam2:

well that was quite rude
 

jabba

Salafi Dawah is the best
:salam2: sister umm zaina,

very nice thread :ma:

I completely agree with you. And I feel sorry when I see or know about muslims that celebrate it. And even if they know it's not an islamic celebration they keep celebrating it year after year.

If every muslim doesn't start to follow for real his/her religion.....where we gonna go??? Ya rabbi!!!!!

:salam2:

SAlam

Just because someone celebrates their birthday doesn't mean they are not following their religion. I mean come on, the Ummah is spliting up, muslims are against Muslims and you're saying if we celebrate birthdays we are not following our religion?! Give me a break! As Muslims there's more important things to worry about.
 

nyerekareem

abdur-rahman
SAlam

Just because someone celebrates their birthday doesn't mean they are not following their religion. I mean come on, the Ummah is spliting up, muslims are against Muslims and you're saying if we celebrate birthdays we are not following our religion?! Give me a break! As Muslims there's more important things to worry about.

i kinda agree with you. most people that celebrate their birthdays wouldn't even know the origin of the celebration. on top of that no one views their birthday as a religious service. some mention that the scholars say that it's wrong cause it wasn't around or celebrated, used or done by the companions. but neither was tv, internet, radio etc. yet we do not see these things as inherently evil.

i don't wish to seem disrespectful, but it is something that we should think about.
 

ameurux

New Member
:salam2:

Every day we wake up we thank Allah to be alive again :
" Alhamdou Lilah elathi Ahyana MinBaadi Ma Amatana, Wa Ilayhi Ennouchour"
Means Every New day is a new chance for us to do the best,,, even better then we did in the previous day, and every day is "1 day ( - ) what Allah Soubhanahou wrote how much each of us Live on Earth"
so if the day of my birthday comes I can celebrate it like Mohamed Sala allah Alih wassalam did:
He was Fasting on Monday and Thursday. And Monday is the day he was born Sala allah Alih wassalam.
 

Amirah20

Junior Member
you've brought up a great topic sis. Many Muslims celebrate birthdays, and birthdays are not something that should be celebrated or to be happy about. When it is someone's birthday, one year of his/her life has decreased, and not increased. so, what intelligence is there in celebrating and showing happiness when a year has decreased in one's life?...you're basically one year closer to your death...so what is blowing candles gonna do for ya? there is a hadith that says “Whosoever imitates a nation is amongst them”. (Sunan Abu Dawud,). the Prophet :saw: never celebrated any birthdays...so lets follow his example and not make an exception for this. Lets just say alhamdullilah that Allah (swt) has blessed us with one more year. no birthday card, blowing candles or any of that shenanigan.
 

jabba

Salafi Dawah is the best
you've brought up a great topic sis. Many Muslims celebrate birthdays, and birthdays are not something that should be celebrated or to be happy about. When it is someone's birthday, one year of his/her life has decreased, and not increased. so, what intelligence is there in celebrating and showing happiness when a year has decreased in one's life?...you're basically one year closer to your death...so what is blowing candles gonna do for ya? there is a hadith that says “Whosoever imitates a nation is amongst them”. (Sunan Abu Dawud,). the Prophet :saw: never celebrated any birthdays...so lets follow his example and not make an exception for this. Lets just say alhamdullilah that Allah (swt) has blessed us with one more year. no birthday card, blowing candles or any of that shenanigan.

Salam Alaikum

Amirah 20 I've heard someone say this exact same thing to me b4...don't know if it was you or not but I'll say to you what I said to them. Yes you are one yr closer to death.....but you are one yr closer to leaving the dunya and inshAllah one yr closer to Jannah inshAllah. Why shouldn't that be celebrated? I only worship Allah (SWT), my birthday has nothing to do with other gods, worshipping of idols or anything that Islam forbids.
Brother nyerekareem has it right.
:wasalam:
 

Amirah20

Junior Member
Salam Alaikum

Amirah 20 I've heard someone say this exact same thing to me b4...don't know if it was you or not but I'll say to you what I said to them. Yes you are one yr closer to death.....but you are one yr closer to leaving the dunya and inshAllah one yr closer to Jannah inshAllah. Why shouldn't that be celebrated? I only worship Allah (SWT), my birthday has nothing to do with other gods, worshipping of idols or anything that Islam forbids.
Brother nyerekareem has it right.
:wasalam:

sis I was just givin everyone a nasheeha...I haven't said this to you before but this is something that most say so it will sound familiar (my mom and Imam said the same thing to me). I personally don't believe in celebrating birthdays, but if you want to celebrate birthday go ahead.
 

Ummzaina

Junior Member
:salam2:

well that was quite rude

:salam2:

Sorry for being a bit rude, but I was among the ignorant not too long ago.

One reason I put this article is because there are some people I am connected who still continue to celebrate birthdays.
I know a few others who celebrate 1 year olds birthday by hiring caterers/venue etc and having a gala of music,fun atc and you and I know that in this day and age nothing comes cheap.
Think/imagine how much the parents must have spent on such affairs?!Are we supposed to be that extravagant as muslims?
My husband and I decided to stop celebrating birthdays as I know many parents rarely earn enough to make ends meet and if I celebrate my children's birthday and invite a kid whos parents are too poor, would it not oblige this kids parents to do the same in order to show they care.
Birthdays make us selfish, wishing to recieve presents instead of giving.
Parents must give gifts to their children as they grow up, but we do not need to have huge parties to show we love and care our kids (many kids tend grow up so self centred due to such affairs as it is in this modern society).
It becomes a materialistic way of showing we care...if someone forgets my birthday am I to assume he/she does not care anough about me?

I chose to not celebrate birthdays as it is not a very logical or practical thing and it involves a lot of extravagant spending,
later I learned that it was a practice of Pagans and it made me think that why should we imitate ignorance when we have seen the light of Islam.

Wa salaam
 

samiha

---------
Staff member
:salam2:

Well... i don't know how to phrase what I am about to write, so please don't be offended, but... none of us here are scholars, so... besides hard core facts, and fatawas by the scholars... what opinions do we give? Opinions based on our own desires, ones based upon the society we lived and grew up in, the things we've seen, people we've been around??? But is that Islaam? Is that what Islaam is and teaches?? Truly think that. No it's not. Islaam is not about opinions by laymen, it's not about how the society is and revolves, it's not even about how the people are and what they do. The reason Islaam is so beautiful, so perfect, is because it is founded on two things... the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. It is not founded on the modern day fads of society, it's not based on what we humans feel, because we might not always understand what is best! It's based on what Allah has revealed, what the Prophet :saw: has shown, what his companions did and endorsed!

"The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say, "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" - and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)." (2:285)

With regard to this observance which people call “birthdays” (eid milaad in Arabic), Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) issued the following fatwa:

“Everything which is taken as an ‘eid’ (something which is celebrated regularly) and is repeated each week or each year and is not prescribed in sharee’ah, is a kind of bid’ah (reprehensible innovation). The evidence for that is the fact that the Lawgiver prescribed ‘aqeeqah for the newborn, and did not prescribe anything after that. When they adopt these observances every week or every year, it means that they are making them like the Islamic Eids, which is haraam and is not permitted. There are no celebrations in Islam apart from the three prescribed Eids: ‘Eid al-Fitr, ‘Eid al-Adha, and the weekly ‘Eid’ which is Friday (Yawm al-Jumu’ah).

This does not come under the heading of customs because it is repeated. Hence when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and found that the Ansaar had two festivals which they used to celebrate, he said, ‘Allaah has given you something better than these: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.’ (Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 1556; Abu Dawood, 1134; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, no. 124), even though this was one of their customs.”

From Sharh Kitaab al-Tawheed, 1/382; see also Question # 1027.

Question:
what is the evidence on celebrating birthdays,is it allowed in islam?

Answer:

The evidence in the Qur’aan and Sunnah indicates that celebrating birthdays is a kind of bid’ah or innovation in religion, which has no basis in the pure sharee’ah. It is not permitted to accept invitations to birthday celebrations, because this involves supporting and encouraging bid’ah. Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not allowed…?” [al-Shoora 42:21]

“Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment. So follow that, and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allaah (if He wants to puish you). Verily, the zaalimoon (wrongdoers) are awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allaah is the Wali (Protector, Helper) of the muttaqoon (pious).” [al-Jaathiyah 45:18-19]

“Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord, and follow not any awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) besides Him. Little do you remember!” [al-A’raaf 7:3]


According to saheeh reports, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does something that is a not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected” (reported by Muslim in his Saheeh); and “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The most evil of things are those which have been newly invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” There are many other ahaadeeth that convey the same meaning.

Besides being bid’ah and having no basis in sharee’ah, these birthday celebrations also involve imitation of the Jews and Christians in their birthday celebrations. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?” (Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/115

___________________________

After this, if you still want to celebrate birthdays, wallahu ale3m, it's your choice not my piece of cake here... but I hope you will not hold me accoutable for also giving my advice.

Personally, never celebrated a birthday, and do not plan on doing so. I need no presents, I'm content with my "needs" and not would rather limit my indulgence for "wants". I need no cake, that I wouldn't make any other day, nor invite over anyone to join in festivities of which there has never been a source in Islam.

And as always Allah knows best. :)

wasalam
 

Ummzaina

Junior Member
:salam2:

Jazaakallah khairen sister Samiha for providing the Islamic rulings regarding the topic.
I would like to remind another thing regarding the discussion as someone on this thread replied saying birthdays are not celebrated as a religious thing.
For me as I am learning more and more about my deen I find that there is no way we could seperate religion from every breath we take, every step we walk, each time we dress, every tree we cut, any money we earn ,
each night we sleep and every morning when we wake up, every morsel of food we eat/drink, I have found there isnt anyway we can say I take any action other than for the sake of my deen if we are to be true believers of Islam (I am not a perfect muslim, far from it but Insha Allah should we not aim for the highest?) :hijabi: .

Surah Al Alaq
"Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-
Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
He Who taught (the use of) the pen,-
Taught man that which he knew not.
Day, but man doth transgress all bounds,
In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient.
Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
Seest thou one who forbids-
A votary when he (turns) to pray?
Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?-
Or enjoins Righteousness?
Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock,-
A lying, sinful forelock!
Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):
We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
Day, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!

:wasalam:
 

um muhammad al-mahdi

لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله
Staff member
as salamu alaykum!

:salam2:

sister jabba I don't understand why you got so nervous about my thread. We are here to help each other searching the truth and following the Sunnah. Then if you celebrate birthdays is your business,nobody is here to judge just to advise. May Allah help us all to reach Jennah :inshallah:

:jazaak: sister samiha!

:ma: very nice post!!

:salam2:
 

IslamIsLight

Islam is my life
Staff member
salam
for me I personally always disliked birthdays even when I wasn't muslim .What does it mean everybody come to see u ,bring u gifts like to a quin or something.PPl start being jelous to someone who bring a better gift.

I give a gift to my brother ,but someone give him a better gift and I see him admiring it more then mine,I had tears on my eyes...I find celebrating birthdays meaningless,and pagan practise as it's described in the first post.
Sorry if I said something wrong its just my opinion.
salam to all
 

umm abdhullah

New Member
Celebrating birthdays is not allowed

:salam2:

http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=1027&ln=eng&txt=celebrating birthday

Question:
what is the evidence on celebrating birthdays,is it allowed in islam?

Answer:

The evidence in the Qur’aan and Sunnah indicates that celebrating birthdays is a kind of bid’ah or innovation in religion, which has no basis in the pure sharee’ah. It is not permitted to accept invitations to birthday celebrations, because this involves supporting and encouraging bid’ah. Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not allowed…?” [al-Shoora 42:21]

“Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment. So follow that, and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allaah (if He wants to puish you). Verily, the zaalimoon (wrongdoers) are awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allaah is the Wali (Protector, Helper) of the muttaqoon (pious).” [al-Jaathiyah 45:18-19]

“Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord, and follow not any awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) besides Him. Little do you remember!” [al-A’raaf 7:3]

According to saheeh reports, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does something that is a not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected” (reported by Muslim in his Saheeh); and “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The most evil of things are those which have been newly invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” There are many other ahaadeeth that convey the same meaning.

Besides being bid’ah and having no basis in sharee’ah, these birthday celebrations also involve imitation of the Jews and Christians in their birthday celebrations. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?” (Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”(/font>

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/115
 

new-muslim

New Member
sALAM O ALAIKOM,
I personally don't see a problem with celebrating birthdays. For a small child, blowing candles out at the dinner table and a gift just makes them feel special. I don't think having a full blown out party with clowns, bouncy castles etc is a good idea but a small gift and a special dinner, I don't see the harm caused.
Also from what I have read on TTI there seems to be confusion on whether Prophet Mohammed(SWS) celebrated his birthday. I think there is obviously a mixed consensus. Can anyone please clarify. Also where I live, there is a big celebration when it is the prophet's (sws) birthday.
 
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