QUESTION:
What do the scholars and muftīs of the mighty Sharī’ah say regarding this matter: Is it impermissible to distribute food and exchange gifts on the occasion of one’s birthday? Some people say it is a part of Western culture, and therefore, celebrating birthdays is harām.
Questioner: Salina from UK
ANSWER:
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب
There is no harm in celebrating one’s birthday by performing good and permissible actions, and neither is there any blame in exchanging gifts, with the condition that no unlawful actions are found in it. Nowadays, in various birthdays parties, there is free mixing of men and women, music and other acts of transgression to be found; anyone possessing intellect will consider this impermissible.
On such an occasion, it is better that one recite something from the Qur’ān and supplicate for the conveyance of the reward [īsāl al-thawāb], there should be supplication for a long life which is full of good deeds, and alongside distributing food amongst family, one should also feed others.
واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم
کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری
Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadri
Translated by Zameer Ahmed
Read the original Urdu answer here – [Q-ID0266] Is celebrating birthdays allowed What about exchanging gifts & food?
