format_quote Originally Posted by
cat eyes
so without hadith and Qur'an evidence how can you easily tell another muslim that something is haraam without evidence that is surely haraam in itself. we shouldn't celebrate it. its best to keep away from it because its not heard of in islam but you need evidence to tell another muslim that something is haraam or not. if i ask a scholar a question i will obviously ask evidence from hadith or Qur'an also
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah
Question:
What is the shar’i ruling on celebrating festivals such as the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), children’s birthdays, Mother’s Day, Tree Week and national holidays?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly: ‘Eid (festival) is the name given to something which returns (ya’ood), and is used to describe gatherings which happen repeatedly, on a yearly, monthly or weekly basis, etc. So an ‘eid includes a number of things, such as a day which comes regularly, e.g., ‘Eid al-Fitr and Friday; gatherings on that day; and actions such as acts of worship and customs which are done on that day.
Secondly: any of these things which are intended as rituals or acts of worship aimed at drawing closer to Allaah or glorifying Him in order to earn reward, or which involve imitating the people of Jaahiliyyah or any other groups of kaafirs, is a prohibited bid’ah, an innovation which comes under the general meaning of the hadeeth: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim).
Examples of that include Mawlid al-Nabi (the Prophet’s birthday), Mother’s Day and national holidays, because in the first case there are innovated acts of worship which Allaah has not prescribed, and because it involves imitation of the Christians and other kaafirs. And in the second and third cases there is imitation of the kuffaar. But in cases where the intention is to organize work to serve the interests of the ummah and to put its affairs straight, or to organize programs of study, or to bring employees together for work purposes etc., which in and of themselves do not involve acts of worship and glorification, then these are a kind of benign innovation which do not come under the meaning of the hadeeth, “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (Islam) that is not a part of it will have it rejected.” So there is nothing wrong with such things, indeed they are allowed by sharee’ah.
And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.
Question
In our city in Eqypt, it is the cusom that when every person completes a year of his life, he holds a party and we call it a 'birthday' party or 'blowing out the candles'. I have heard lately that it is not permissible in Islaam; is this action permissible in Islaam, and is it permissible to visit these parties when one of them is invited to do so? Please advise us; with much gratitude to you.
Answer
This custom is an evil one and a detestable innovation, for which Allaah has revealed no authority. Festivals are fixed, like acts of worship; and it is reported in the Hadeeth that during the days of ignorance, the people of Madeenah used to celebrate two festivals, then Allaah replaced them with the two lawful festivals. Also, nothing is mentioned in the Law (of Islaam) called a birthday and none of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, used to do it, nor did the pious early generations of the Muslim community do so, for it is not permissible in Islaamic law to celebrate these festivals, nor to attend them, nor to encourage one's family (to do so), nor to congratulate someone or any such thing which entails supporting or approving of this detested act.
Ibn Jibreen.
Reference - Fatawa Islaamiyyah, Volume 1 - Creed, The Book of Creed, Pg. 185
what is the evidence on celebrating birthdays,is it allowed in islam?
The evidence in the Qur’aan and Sunnah indicates that celebrating birthdays is a kind of bid’ah or innovation in religion, which has no basis in the pure sharee’ah. It is not permitted to accept invitations to birthday celebrations, because this involves supporting and encouraging bid’ah. Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not allowed…?”
[al-Shoora 42:21]
“Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment. So follow that, and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allaah (if He wants to puish you). Verily, the zaalimoon (wrongdoers) are awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allaah is the Wali (Protector, Helper) of the muttaqoon (pious).”
[al-Jaathiyah 45:18-19]
“Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord, and follow not any awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) besides Him. Little do you remember!”
[al-A’raaf 7:3]
According to saheeh reports, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does something that is a not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected” (reported by Muslim in his Saheeh); and “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The most evil of things are those which have been newly invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” There are many other ahaadeeth that convey the same meaning.
Besides being bid’ah and having no basis in sharee’ah, these birthday celebrations also involve imitation of the Jews and Christians in their birthday celebrations.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, warning us against following their ways and traditions: “You would follow the ways of those who came before you step by step, to such an extent that if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would enter it too.”
They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?”
He said, “Who else?”
(Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/115