Birthdays are widely celebrated across cultures, but within Islamic discourse, opinions vary. Are they simply cultural practices, or do they carry religious implications? This article explores the various scholarly perspectives on celebrating birthdays in Islam and how Muslims today approach this practice.
The Core Question: What Are We Celebrating?
Birthday celebrations have roots in many cultural and religious traditions. For some, they’re joyful expressions of gratitude for life. For others, they can carry more superstitious or religious baggage. This raises the question: Is participating in a birthday celebration merely cultural — or is it an imitation of non-Islamic religious practices?
Scholarly Opinions: A Spectrum of Views
Scholars Who Discourage Celebrating Birthdays
Some scholars view birthday celebrations as impermissible, often citing the hadith:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
— Sunan Abi Dawud, 40311
They argue that birthdays are neither part of the Prophet’s practice (PBUH) nor the Companions’, and that participating in them constitutes an innovation (bid’ah) or imitation of non-Islamic traditions.
💡 Bid‘ah refers to innovation in religious matters — beliefs or practices introduced after the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that have no basis in Islamic teachings.
Cited scholars include:
- Ibn Baz, “…celebrating birthdays is an innovation; it is forbidden to attend and participate in birthday celebrations.”2
- Uthman ibn Farooq, “…birthdays are not permissible in Islam – not to celebrate your own, not to participate in any others, this is a religious pagan festival…”3
- Muhammad al-Munajjid, “Muslims do not celebrate birthdays because it is a kind of innovation in religion which has no basis in the pure Shari`ah.”4
Scholars Who Permit (or Don’t Forbid) Them
Others take a more flexible stance, distinguishing between cultural norms and religious rituals. These scholars argue that if the celebration avoids un-Islamic practices and focuses on gratitude, family, or reflection, it may be acceptable.
“There is no contradiction between Islam and devotion to civil society, social culture, and coexistence with others; it is essential to Islam.”
— Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah5
Cited scholars include:
- Qais Al-Mubarak, “…there is nothing wrong with a Muslim celebrating any festive occasion such as the birthday of himself or his loved ones.”6
- Yasir Qadhi, “Any personal or private celebration that has nothing to do with religion has nothing to do with Islam…[so, if it’s] your birthday, go ahead….there is nothing in the Sharia to forbid them [birthday and anniversary celebrations].7
- Wael Shehab, “…birthdays fall under the category of customs that are permissible in principle provided that there is nothing haram (unlawful) associated with it. Therefore, it is OK for people to celebrate their or their kids’ birthdays through permissible means.”8
Considerations for Muslims Today
- Intent matters — are you showing gratitude, or imitating a ritual?
- Content matters — is there music, excess, or anything un-Islamic?
- Audience matters — will your actions be misunderstood?
Many Muslims take a middle path: recognizing birthdays privately with du’a, simple gatherings, or acts of charity.
Conclusion
While scholars differ on the permissibility of birthdays, the key lies in intention, moderation, and adherence to Islamic values. As always, consult a trusted scholar if you’re uncertain — and act according to your conscience.
💬 Comments
Have a different perspective or a follow-up question?
Share your thoughts below — respectful discussion is always welcome!
References
- Abu Dawood, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 4031, https://sunnah.com/abudawud:4031. ↩︎
- Ibn Baz, Fatwas of Islamic Rulings, Vol. 8 (Darussalam, 2002), p. 196. https://www.kalamullah.com/Books/Fatawa-Islamiyah-Islamic-Verdicts-Vol.-8.pdf. ↩︎
- Uthman ibn Farooq, “Birthdays – Halal or Haram?,” MasjidRibat, YouTube video, 2017, https://youtu.be/MSh-1bQyuOs. ↩︎
- Muhammad al-Munajjid, “Do Muslims Celebrate Birthdays?,” IslamQA.info, Fatwa #1027, 1998, https://islamqa.info/en/answers/1027/do-muslims-celebrate-birthdays. ↩︎
- Abdullah bin Bayyah, “Coexistence is Essential to Islam,” BinBayyah.net, https://binbayyah.net/english/coexistence-is-essential-to-islam/. ↩︎
- Qais Bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh Mubarak, “Nothing wrong with a Muslim celebrating birthdays, says Saudi scholar,” Saudi Gazette, 2022, https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/619403/. ↩︎
- Yasir Qadhi, “Fiqh of Celebrations,” Memphis Islamic Center (MIC), YouTube lecture, 2018, timestamp 1:09:31, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL2SGeLmWpI&t=4171s. ↩︎
- Wael Shehab, “Is it haram to celebrate birthdays and blow candles on birthdays?,” AboutIslam.net, 2016, https://aboutislam.net/live-session/general-fatwa-session-2/haram-celebrate-birthdays-blow-candles-birthdays/. ↩︎