Question:
Is it okay to acknowledge a child’s birthday and say happy birthday? Also, can I give a present on birthday but not throw a party? My son is going to be 5 this month and keeps asking me for a birthday present.
Answer:
الجواب باسم ملهم الصواب
- Giving presents to one’s own children is a very commendable and rewardable action. Parents should reward their children with gifts and prizes on special occasions and on their good performance and achievements.
- Islam – being a complete code of life – provides guidance about every aspect of life. Therefore, it is logical to think that it has guidelines regarding celebrations and special occasions.
- One very important Islamic guideline regarding celebrations and parties is that Muslims should avoid imitating religious rituals and cultural activities that are in conflict with Islamic teachings. Therefore, it is not permissible to celebrate Christian, Hindu or other non-Islamic festivals etc.
- Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who imitates any people is one of them.” [Sunan of Imam Abu Dawood]
- Celebrating birthday is a concept derived from Christianity – as Christians celebrate Christmas – which is based on the belief that Jesus Christ was born on that day.
- As such, it is not permissible for Muslims to acknowledge, celebrate or give presents on birthdays. Muslims are not also permitted to exchange non-Islamic greetings. Therefore, one should avoid saying: ‘Happy Birthday’.
- However, if one’s child insists on receiving birthday presents, one may give them to him/her a day or two before the birthday – in order to avoid imitation of non-Islamic traditions. Nevertheless, Muslims should try to explain the non-permissibility of celebrating birthdays to their own children. It can be reasonably hoped that If Muslims try to make their own special occasions, such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid- Al-Adh-ha etc, fun, exciting and enjoyable, then their children will not be too excited about non-Islamic traditions.
Only Allah knows best.
Answered by:
Abdullah Fahim
Imam & Khateeb, Masjid Taqwa
Kyrwicks Lane, Birmingham
19 Sha’ban 1443 AH/ 22 March 2022
جديد فقهی مسائل، مولانا خالد سيف الله رحمانی، ج: 1، ص 310 (زمزم پبلشرز)
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: «مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ» رواه الإمام أبو داود، كتاب اللباس، باب في لبس الشهرة، (رقم: 4031)
https://darulifta.info/d/ashrafia/fatwa/nTq/%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%DA%AF%D8%B1%DB%81-%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%AD%DA%A9%D9%85 (accessed 23/03/2022)