Why should Muslims celebrate Birthdays?

“This day, I have perfected your deen (religion) for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your deen (religion).” (Surah Al Maidah Ayah 3)

"And be not of Al-Mushrikun of those who split up their religion, and became sects[i.e they invented new things in the religion, and followed their vain desires], each sect rejoicing in that which is with it"

It is essential for every Muslim to understand the difference between 'deen', as it is understood in Arabic, and the word 'Religion', which is generally used as a quick English translation. The word ‘deen’, in Arabic has several meanings like

1.       1. Subjugation, Authority and Ruling,

2.       2. Obedience and Submission,

3.       3. Method and habits

4.       4. Reward, Punishment and Judgment. *1 (See reference below)

The word ‘religion’ denotes a set of  rituals at a personal level between Allah and His servant (Ibadaat or acts of worship). Meaning the focus is on 'specific-actions-I-can-do-to-please-Allah', like offering one's prayers, paying of Zakat, performing pilgrimage or fasting. These are the pillars of Islam and Divine injunctions upon all Muslims and the foundation of our faith. Hence, it goes without saying that our faith is not complete if we do not strive to learn and practice this form of worship. However, the question is: 'Is that all we are required to do to please Him?' 

Unfortunately, what doesn't instinctively come to mind  on the mention of the word 'religion' is feeding the poor, being kind and considerate to our neighbors, our behavior during our celebrations and Islamic customs for occasions of sorrow. This is an area that requires our attention: the idea of 'turning-everything-I-do-to-please-Allah'. The idea of a 24/7 Muslim, non-stop and around the clock - the idea of spinning everything I do to gold in the eyes of Allah. This is the concept of ibadat, or complete submission to the will of Allah through ''every action' during the day and the night. This is why Islam is a complete & liberating deen because just as it teaches us rituals to develop an individual spiritual connection with Allah (through Salah, Zakat, Fast, Hajj and observing Sunnahs as individuals), it also teaches us that with the right intention and method we can convert  every simple action into a source of reward in the hereafter, even drinking a glass of water!

I often think that a deen that educates us about the 'right' way of entering and leaving a washroom, could not have missed out big life events like  births, deaths and weddings for us to 'figure it out for ourselves'. 

Since Allah has chosen Islam as a deen for us (and now that we have a broader understanding of the word ‘deen’), it must contain all the do’s and don’ts important for us. When we live in diverse societies, we come across all kinds of festivities and cultures; but before we jump in the band-wagon, we need to research the Islamic point of view in order to protect ourselves from going astray. Islam is a deen that strives to bring ease into our lives and remove from our lives the shackles of old pagan customs. This is the reason we were blessed not only with the book of guidance but also by a Prophet SAWS who lived by the book.Tools and technology may advance with time, changing the way we do things but what we do should be in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet SAWS. That's what role models are for. So, in order for our every action to turn into ibadat there needs to be a solid foundation in the Quran or Sunnah. If the Prophet did something, our love for him should compel us to move towards it with open arms. If he did not give something significance then our love for him should compel us to behave in the same fashion. 

A celebration that has taken deep roots in our society is 'birthdays' (anniversaries etc.). It is a very common practice because on the surface it appears to be a harmless celebration of life and a way of spreading joy. However many people are unaware of it's real origin and how each part of this celebration is a ritual of the polytheists (Pagans). When we think of Islam as being limited to some rituals and not a complete code of life, these are the kind of traps we will easily fall into. The first question to ask when faced with the dilemma of celebrating any occasion is – did Allah tell us to celebrate this day or did the Prophet SAWS encourage such celebrations in his life and the Sahaba after him? When the answer is "No" we must abandon such practices that will get us no gain in the hereafter. If this celebration is not part of our ‘deen’ it should not be a part of our lives. Simple!

The untold story that must be told Perhaps the gravity of why I want attention on the issue of birthdays will be clear once you go over the story of how it all began. Thousands of years ago some learned Astrologers decided to record history by calculating the date of birth of Kings and Noblemen who had passed away. They extended the idea to celebrate the birthdays of the living Kings and the Rich among them. With their extensive knowledge of the stars and the sun and moon, they were able to determine dates right down to the hour, minute and second. At that time only the rich nobility could afford lavish events at birthdays but as time went by even ordinary people began to celebrate their birthdays lavishly. In pagan culture it was believed that a person was visited by evil spirits on his special day so friends and family would get together and celebrate so as to ward off the evil. This is what later became the 'Happy birthday song' and a popular culture of singing "Happy birthday to you....." for the birthday boy/girl. To bring gifts and flowers was considered good honor for the recipient.

Artemis - Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt

The Greeks were the ones to originate the Birthday cake in the shape of the moon in honor of their Goddess Artemis – Goddess of the moon and the hunt. On the round shaped cake symbolizing the moon, they would place as many candles as the number of years being celebrated. The candles when lit made the cake glow like the moon in honor of Artemis and they would carry the cake to the temple in her reverence. The candles were blown after making a wish as it was believed that the light & smoke would carry the prayers and wishes to the God of the skies. Blowing the candles in one breath would ensure that the God of the skies would grant them. Hence the popular phrase, "Blow the candles and make a wish!" *3

Who would have thought that while someone celebrates his/her birthday, we are in fact commemorating the custom/ritual of the Greek Polytheists! After knowing this story, how can we say that there is no harm in celebrating birthdays? The irony is that today Christians are talking about how there is no significance of celebrating birthdays; if there was then why is their no mention of it in the bible and that 25th Dec could not be Jesus's birthday since he was born in the summer when date palms were ripe with fruit.*4 This is not the only occasion that requires us to research its origins and its roots but this is one which most people celebrate without knowing the repercussions in the hereafter. This is the occasion that most of us find most difficult to let go - a mere indication of how much we have been absorbed in to an alien culture. 

“Whoever imitates a people is one of them” (Hadith of the Prophet SAWS reported by Abu Dawood and Ahmad)

Imitating the practices and customs of others and following their celebrations is a great non-conformity to the teachings of the Prophet SAWS and will cause us exclusion from the Muslim Ummah on the Day of Judgment. Do we want to be standing with the Muslim Ummah or the Pagans, Christians or Jews? Abd-Allah ibn Amr (RAA) said: “Whoever settles in the land of the non-Arabs and celebrates their Nawrooz and their Mahrajaan, and imitates them until he dies in that state, will be gathered with them on the Day of Resurrection.” (Al Sunan al Kubra, 9/432; classed as Sahih by Ibn Taymiyyah in al Iqtida, 1/754).When we believe that Islam is a complete deen then there is no reason for us to be imitating others. We should be proud of our Muslim identity and should have no attraction to the festivals and celebrations of the disbelievers.

I found a fatwa on this issue by Sheikh al Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him) that clarifies why celebrating birthdays has no room in our lives (Reference below): 

“Everything which is taken as an ‘eid’ (something which is celebrated regularly) and is repeated each week or each year and is not prescribed in sharee’ah, is a kind of bid’ah (reprehensible innovation). The evidence for that is the fact that the Lawgiver prescribed ‘aqeeqah for the newborn, and did not prescribe anything after that. When they adopt these observances every week or every year, it means that they are making them like the Islamic Eids, which is haraam and is not permitted. There are no celebrations in Islam apart from the three prescribed Eids: ‘Eid al-Fitr, ‘Eid al-Adha, and the weekly ‘Eid’ which is Friday (Yawm al-Jumu’ah). 

To fill a vessel with something, you must empty it out first!
If you have children who are fond of celebrating their birthday, then at least make a first step by telling them how this celebration is of the disbelievers and share the story with them.Then get their friends together on a random day and let them enjoy to their hearts content; hand out gifts to your children without any occasion (that’s all they really care about!) and celebrate with food but not on their birthday and not like the Pagans. If you have ever gotten an unexpected gift from the person you love you know it’s more special than something expected on the same day every year. Nobody wants to have a dry and boring life so celebrate your joys but within limits, feed the poor in those celebrations, give gifts to the people you love and to the less fortunate. You can do all this and stay within the boundaries of Shariah so that a harmless good time doesn't cost you everything on the Day of Recompense. The current 'celebration epidemic' in the world is nothing but consumerism being promoted by those who think that's all we are here for. People who love and cherish family and friends will let them know any day of the week and do not need a 'day' to be reminded. 

Birthdays are out for good!
A lot of people send me Birthday Calendar requests on facebook and I want to take this opportunity to request them to please stop as I have not celebrated my birthday at all for the past 2 years and believe it or not I have a full and meaningful life. Alhamdullilah. No one has wished me as I have made my position on the matter very clear and I thank people who disagree with my viewpoint but respect my opinion and preference. There are many people I know who have started a baking business specializing   in decorating birthday cakes. I apologize for not supporting them but when I don't support the institution of a birthday then I can't support anything associated with it. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against cakes but this is a separate matter altogether.  May Allah help us all realize the urgency in doing good and staying away from the practices of other faiths.

In the end a beautiful and inspiring verse from the Quran that should inspire us to be proud of our Muslim heritage and that to be 'one' we must give up all 'others':

Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism) and he was not of Al-Mushrikun - Surah Al Imran Ayah 6

May Allah guide us all to the straight path and accept our efforts and intentions. Ameen!

References: 

1.Friday speech delivered by Imam Mohamed Baianonie at the Islamic Center of Raleigh, N. C., on December 27,1996 : http://islam1.org/khutub/Defn__of_Deen_&_Islam.htm

2. For fatwa on fasting on the birth day of the Prophet SAWS and the innovation of today's muslims of celebrating their own birthdays http://islamqa.info/en/ref/137931 

3.For fatwa on birthday being an innovation and need to discourage it http://islamqa.info/en/ref/26804/to%20celebrate%20birthday

3. For origin of birthday cake: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_cake

4.A Christian's perspective on how celebrating birthdays is a pagan ritual that needs discouragement. The article is titled, "The surprising origin of Birthdays": http://www.triumphpro.com/birthdays-origin.htm