General Islamic Principle: What Is Wrong With Celebrating Birthday?

By Lekan Yakub

Dear Muslim Reader,
We DO NOT celebrate birthday because it is not part of our religion and The Prophet (Peace be upon him) didn’t do it, neither did the sahaba nor those who follow them in righteousness.

Shaikh AbdulAziz Bin Baaz, who is one of the most Eminent Islamic Scholars of the 20th century, was asked about celebrating birthdays in Islam, he replied
(and I agree with him):
“Celebrating birthdays has no source whatsoever in the pure Shariah (Islamic Law). In fact, it is an reprehensible innovation, since the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that does not belong to it shall have that action rejected.” This was recorded by both al-Bukhari and Muslim. In a
version recorded by Muslim and by al- Bukhari “Whoever performs a deed which is not in accord with our affairs, that deed is rejected.” It is well-known that
the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not celebrate his birthday at all during his lifetime nor did he ever order it to be celebrated. Nor did he teach such to his
Companions. Therefore, the rightly-guided caliphs and all of his Companions did not celebrate it. They are the most knowledgeable of the people concerning
his Sunnah (Teachings of the Prophet) and they are the most beloved to the Prophet (peace be upon him). They were also the most keen upon following
whatever the Prophet (peace be upon him) brought. Therefore, if one is supposed to celebrate the Prophet’s birthday, this would have been made evident at their time. Similarly, not one of the scholars of the best generations celebrated his birthday nor did they order it to be done.
Therefore, it is known from the above that such a celebration is not from the Law that Allah sent Muhammad (peace be upon him) with. We ask Allah and all Muslims to witness that if the Prophet (peace be upon him) had done so or ordered such to be done, or even if his Companions had done so, we would rush to do it and call others to do it. This is
because, and all praises are due to Allah, we are the most keen in following his sunnah and respecting his commands and prohibitions. We ask Allah, for ourselves and for all of our brethren Muslims, steadfastness upon the truth, avoiding everything that differs from Allah’s pure shariah. Verily, He is Generous and Noble. “

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Jazaakumullaahu khayraan