Is exchanging congratulatory phrases such as "Kul 'am wa anta bi-khair" (May you be well every year) and accepting a simple gift or a sum of money on the occasion of one's birthday, with the intention of showing happiness and joy at the passing of a year of life, considered part of the forbidden celebration of this day?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Good words and exchanging gifts between Muslims are desirable at all times. Singling out one's birthday for exchanging gifts or for specific words is an innovation received from non-Muslims, and is considered a manifestation of celebrating the birthday, which should be abandoned; so that the birthday becomes an ordinary day like all other days.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/118171
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 118171
- 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