Birthday Parties And Celebrations

Birthday celebrations are totally alien to Islam and are a salient feature in the traditions and lives of the Kuffar. Islam strictly forbids the emulation of the Kuffar in any act which is common-practice among them, or has an inimitable relation with their religion, traditions and practice.

The Origins of Birthday Celebrations

The idea of celebrating the date of your birth is deep-rooted in Pagan tradition. Pagans thought that evil spirits lurked on days of major change, like the day you turn you a year older.

The Ancient Greeks believed that each person had a spirit that attended his/her birth. That spirit had a mystical relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. Candles were lit in response to the spirits, almost as if they represented a light in the darkness, thereby implying that birthday celebrations initiated as a form of protection.

In addition to candles, friends and family would gather around the birthday person to protect them from harm with good cheers, thoughts and wishes. They would give gifts to bring even more cheer and ward off evil spirits.

The Origin of Birthday Cakes

The Ancient Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses. People made offerings to Armetis (the goddess of the hunt and the moon) in the form of moon-shaped cakes adorned with candles to make the cake glow like the moon. The candles also symbolized the sending of a signal or prayer message to the gods.

Many ancient cultures and religions also believed that smoke was a vehicle to carry prayers up to the gods, and it is possible that this is the basis for the modern “make a wish” tradition.

It is evident, that celebrating as described above is indeed emulation of the Kuffar , and therefore impermissible. Birthday celebrations are also accompanied by a host of vice and sin such as the inter-mingling of the sexes, music, singing and photography. It is unfortunate however, that we deceive ourselves by celebrating birthdays under the guise of “a mere get-together” or “a lunch”, claiming that these occasions are not in celebration of a birthday. Would this function have taken place if it was not the birth date of the individual?

As Muslims, our purpose is to please Allah Ta Ala, earn the unlimited treasures of Akhirah and attain salvation from the fire of Jahannam. This can only be attained via strict adherence to every aspect of Din. The completion of another year in the life of a Muslim is a time for Muhasabah (introspection), Taubah (repentance) and Shukr (gratitude) to Allah Ta Ala for this great bounty of life. It is also an opportune reminder to make a resolute Niyyat of future devotion in the Ibadat of Allah Ta-Ala.

Islam is a complete way of life, and as such Islam does not need to lend from the ways of Kuffar. Every action enacted needs to be weighed in the light of Quran and Sunnah and the lives of our pious predecessors.