Is celebrating birthdays forbidden on the grounds that it imitates the West or that it is an innovation (bid‘ah), taking into consideration that there is imitation of the West in other permissible matters, and that a birthday is a social occasion, not a religious one, and brings joy?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Drawing an analogy between birthday celebrations and traffic systems or other worldly interests is incorrect. This is because worldly matters that do not contradict Islamic law are permissible to adopt from non-Muslims. However, birthday celebrations are not among the festivals of Muslims. It is prohibited to celebrate festivals other than those of Islam, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, Allah has substituted them for you with what is better than them: the Day of Adha and the Day of Fitr."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/90002
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 90002
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy