Celebrating birthdays on an alternate day
Question
Is there any difference in celebrating a Birthday on any other day besides the actual day of a birthday in Islam? A part of my father’s side of the family do not fully practice Islam but my father is a fully practicing Muslim. My father’s side of the family celebrated a Birthday on the actual day of the Birthday but my father did not attend due to intermingling, cutting of a cake, blowing of candles etc. A few days later, my father’s side of the family arranged another birthday celebration (with all of the above) for those who did not attend on the actual day of the birthday celebration. My father’s side of the family is saying that it is okay to celebrate a Birthday on any other day besides the actual day of the Birthday. What is the Sharia ruling in this case?
Answer
There is no difference between celebrating a birthday on the actual day or on a different day.
The issue of celebrating a birthday is not solely based on the fact of celebrating on the actual day, rather it is based on emulating the ways and actions of the disbelievers. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “He who imitates a group of people is one of them.” (Abu Dawood)
In the enquired situation, it is evident that the event arranged on an alternate day emulated the actions of the disbelievers which were contrary to Islam. Therefore, it will not be permissible to celebrate or be part of such an event irrespective if it is celebrated on the actual birthday or an alternate day.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
- Answered by
- Mufti Ismaeel Bassa
- Checked by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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