Why Do we Celebrate Birthdays??
When it is someone's birthday, one year of
his/her life has decreased, and not increased.
As such, what intelligence is there in
celebrating and showing happiness when a
year has decreased in one's life?
The lighting of candles on a cake that number
the years of one's life and then blowing on
them, playing of music, singing, extravagant
and lavish spending, showing off, etc are all
unlawful and forbidden practices n It will be
considered imitating the Kuffar, thus
unlawful.
The most Important.. Did our prophet PBUH or
any of the sahabas celebrated their birthdays
in Islam?? Prophet used to fast on the day he
was born.. do we fast on our birthdays ?? If
one thanks Allah and shows gratitude for
being blessed with one more year of his life,
thus expresses happiness and joy, then there
is nothing wrong with that. (See: al-Fatawa al-
Rahimiyya (urdu), 6/320).
Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him)
reported that Allah's Massenger (may peace
be upon him) was asked about fasting on
Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day)
when I was born and revelation was sent
down to me. ...
Sahih Muslim, Book 13, Hadith 256
Ibn ’Umar (RA) narrated that the Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said:
“He who imitates any people (in their actions)
is considered to be one of them.” Related by
Abu Dawud and Ibn Hibban graded it as
Sahih.
Bulugh al-Maram Book 16, Hadith 1514