Celebrating Birthdays and Anniversaries

Author: 
Adil Salahi, Arab News
Publication Date: 
Mon, 2006-03-27 03:00

Q. I consider celebrating birthdays and anniversaries a non-Islamic tradition. So I have always opposed such celebrations. However, I am under pressure because people suggest that I hurt the feelings of my wife and little children when I deprive them of such a celebration. Please comment.

M.H. Ali

A. What is not allowed in Islam is to follow in the footsteps of unbelievers in their customs and traditions, feeling that they are superior, or that it is good to be like them. But this does not mean that everything they have or do is bad, or that we should not learn from them what is beneficial or useful. We may adapt that to what is suitable to us.

A birthday is an occasion that can be marked in a variety of ways. There is nothing in Islam to prevent celebrating such an occasion, provided the celebration is not done strictly in imitation of unbelievers. Thus, if you invite some children from your son or daughter’s school or play group and organize some games and serve some sweets and exchange gifts, there is nothing in that to object to. If you add something useful such as reading some stories from the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions, if that is suitable to the age group of your child, then that is commendable. You can easily find something to add which would enhance the children’s knowledge of Islam. If you do, your marking of your child’s birthday would be a highly rewarding occasion.

A wedding anniversary is a special occasion for a married couple. Marking it in a way that does not involve any un-Islamic practice is permissible, provided that you are doing it with the intention of giving your wife something pleasant and thanking God for a happy marriage. If you start your marking of the day with a prayer to God to grant both of you more happiness in your married life, then you do well. The fact that anniversaries and birthdays are marked in non-Muslim countries in a way that is unacceptable to Islam does not mean that we should shun such occasions. We can mark such days in our own way, which should always be within the limits God has set.

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