Can Muslims Celebrate Birthdays Holidays and National Days?

Can Muslims Celebrate Birthdays, Holidays, and National Days? This question sparks discussions among Muslims. Islam provides us with clear guidance on what is halal and haram. We will discuss more about that in the article.

First: Can Muslims Celebrate Birthdays, Holidays, and National Days?

Many Muslims today wonder whether celebrating birthdays, national days, or other holidays is halal or haram. In addition, Islam does not mention birthdays directly in the Qur’an or authentic Hadith. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his companions never celebrated birthdays, not even his own. Because of this, many scholars, especially from the Hanbali and Salafi schools, consider birthday celebrations a bidʿah (innovation).

(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3)

“This day I have perfected for you your religion…”

This verse means that Allah completed Islam as the Prophet said with all necessary guidance, leaving no need for additions or innovations in religious practice.

Second: Are Birthdays allowed in Islam?

Birthday celebration in the Islamic hadith sources doesn’t directly mention celebrating one’s birthday. However, many scholars said that it is an innovation (bid’ah) that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH or his companions did it.

The Prophet PBUH said:

“Whoever introduces into this affair of ours (i.e., Islam) something that is not from it, it is to be rejected.”

(Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

(Sunan Abi Dawood – graded hasan)

Haram celebration in Islam, Can Muslims Celebrate Birthdays, Holidays and National Days?

Islam clearly defines haram celebrations in Islam as those that involve shirk (associating partners with Allah), promote immorality, or imitate non-Muslim religious festivals such as:

• Christmas and Easter.
• Valentine’s Day.
• Halloween.
• Music concerts with inappropriate content.
• National days or independence celebrations that involve music, gender mixing, alcohol, or political extremism.
• Celebrations based on shirk, superstition, or imitation of disbelievers.

Is it allowed to celebrate National Days in Islam?

No, celebrating national days is prohibited in Islam, including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, as these are not part of the Islamic teachings and are innovations (bid‘a) or imitations of non-Muslim traditions. Islam has already defined the proper ways to honor parents and express gratitude without assigning specific annual dates; besides, adding such celebrations introduces practices not found in the Qur’an or Sunnah.

5 Halal celebrations in Islam

There are 5 Halal celebrations that you can celebrate as Prophet Muhammad and his companions used to such as:

• Eid al-Fitr: Celebration after Ramadan fasting.
• Eid al-Adha: Festival of sacrifice.
• Aqiqah: Celebrating a newborn by sacrificing an animal.
• Marriage ceremonies (Nikah): Permitted with proper Islamic conduct.
• Welcoming a pilgrim from Hajj: Honouring someone returning from the pilgrimage.

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In conclusion, based on the Qur’an, authentic Hadith, and the practice of the Prophet PBUH and his companions, celebrating birthdays is a bid‘a (innovation) in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ never celebrated his birthday, nor did his companions, despite their deep love and respect for him. In addition, introducing new acts of worship or celebration not found in the Sunnah goes against the principle of completing the religion.

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