Is It Permissible to Celebrate the Birthdays of Our Children?
Answered by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad
Question
Is it permissible to celebrate the birthdays of our children?
Answer
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.
The Islamic Perspective on Distinct Identity
Allah has distinguished Muslims from others through their beliefs, acts of worship, customs, morals, and behaviors. Allah says:
“This is the (natural) Way of Allah. And who is better than Allah in ordaining a way? And we worship (none but) Him.” [Quran, 2:138]
The “Way (literally: Color) of Allah” refers to Islam, which leaves a mark on the lives of those who practice it, just as dye leaves its mark on the fabric.
To preserve the distinct identity of the Muslims and protect their Islam from deviation, the Islamic texts prohibit imitating non-Muslims in things that are unique to them—whether in speech, actions, clothing, or general appearance.
This is because such imitation could endanger the Muslim’s beliefs and may lead to admiration of non-Muslims’ ways, which can include elements of disbelief. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” [Abu Dawud; Ahmad]
The Issue of Celebrating Birthdays
One modern practice that has spread among Muslims is the celebration of birthdays. When a person, whether a child, spouse, or other family member, completes another year of life, they hold a birthday party, prepare sweets, and make what is known as a birthday cake, placing candles on it representing the number of years passed. They also sing a particular song in English, “Happy birthday to you…”
After examining the opinions of contemporary scholars on this matter, many view such celebrations as impermissible, considering them an innovation and an imitation of Christians.
The concept of celebrating birthdays, particularly Christmas, originated from Christians who celebrate the birth of ‘Isa (peace be upon him) annually, with large celebrations in churches at the end of the year. Additionally, some of the early scholars interpreted the verse “(They are) those who do not bear false witness” [Quran, 25:72] as referring to the festivals of the polytheists.
However, some scholars see these occasions as merely social events to express joy over the person’s good health and well-being, and they permit them as long as they are free from prohibited acts like dancing, mixed gatherings, and other forms of immorality.
Conclusion
The view I lean towards is the first one, which prohibits such celebrations, especially since they have come to closely resemble the festivals and celebrations of non-Muslims. Instead, one can focus on the Islamic festivals, gathering during them to express joy, happiness, and unity in a manner that aligns with our faith.
May Allah grant us the strength to adhere to His laws, follow the Sunna of His Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and attain His pleasure and the reward of Paradise.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad
Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad, born in Damascus, Syria, in 1965, pursued his Islamic studies in the mosques and institutes of Damascus. A graduate of the Islamic University of Medina in 1985, he holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Pakistan.
He has extensive experience developing curricula and enhancing the teaching of various academic courses, including conducting intensive courses. Shaykh Awad has taught Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Quranic sciences, the history of legislation, inheritance laws, and more at several institutes and universities such as Al-Furqan Institute for Islamic Sciences and Majma‘ al-Fath al-Islami in Damascus.
He is a lecturer at the Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih Waqf University in Istanbul, teaching various Arabic and Islamic subjects, and teaches at numerous Islamic institutes in Istanbul. Shaykh Awad is a member of the Association of Syrian Scholars, a founding member of the Zayd bin Thabit Foundation, a member of the Syrian Scholars Association, and a member of the Academic Council at the Iman Center for Teaching the Sunna and Quran.
Among his teachers from whom he received Ijazat are his father, Shaykh Muhammad Muhiyiddin Awad, Shaykh Muhiyiddin al-Kurdi, Shaykh Muhammad Karim Rajih, Shaykh Usama al-Rifai, Shaykh Ayman Suwaid, Shaykh Ahmad al-Qalash, Shaykh Muhammad Awwama, and Shaykh Mamduh Junayd.
