#460: Ruling on making Prayers for a Person on His Birthday
QUESTION
” Assalam Alaikum akhi. I know we are not allowed to celebrate birthdays in Islam. Are we sure we can’t wish them happy birthday? If so, what exactly are we supposed to say to them on that day? Jazakallahu khayr. This question was asked by one of my siblings. How do I respond wt evidence in shaa Allah. My mum’s birthday is tomorrow. That’s the reason for the question.”
ANSWER
Wa alaykum Salām Warahmatullāh Wabarakātuh.
Alhamdulillāh. We are sorry for the obvious delay in the answering of your question, we ask Allāh to ease our tasks and to make us steadfast on His Path, āmīn.
As for birthdays, then the Ulamā of our time and the time before us are of a consensus that it isn’t of the practices of the Ummah, and is of the traditions of the West.
That said, a celebration of it isn’t permissible in Islām period.
As for making du’ā for a person on his birthday, it is also a tradition that found its way into our Ummah due to the influence of the West on us. We are expected to make du’ā for one another everyday and not only on the day of Birthdays.
In the Hadīth the Rasūl- salallāhu alayhi wasallam – had said:
الدعاء هو العبادة
_”Du’ā is indeed Ibādah”_
One of the things that the Rasūl – salallāhu alayhi wasallam – promoted to strengthen the bonds of unity in his Ummah is making du’ā for one another. And whosoever looks at the Adhkār and Supplications that are made in our everyday, will realise that it is all of du’ā for one another.
That said, making du’ā on birthdays would also fall into the category of deeds that are bid’ah.
You should remind your sibling of the importance of sticking to the Sunnah of the Rasūl – salallāhu alayhi wasallam – and not innovating things into our lives as Muslims.
And Allāh knows best
Bārakallāhu Fīkum
Jazākumullāhu Khayran
Answered by Abu Aasim
11th dhul Hijjah 1438A.H
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