The Bid`ah of holding banquets on birthdays celebrating the Prophet and righteous people

Question: In Tanzania we hold a banquet in a special location in our town where we gather and say: “This banquet is offered by the founder of Qaadiriyyah Tareeqah (Sufi order).”

Is this act regarded as Bid`ah (innovation in religion) or does it comply with the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)? We do not visit the Masaajid (mosques), unless we make this banquet and recite the birth narrative of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Is there anything wrong with these practices?

Answer: No banquets were held for honoring any of the late righteous men during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Sahaabah (Companions of the Prophet), or the Salaf (righteous predecessors… read more here.

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What is the ruling on beating the Duff ?

Question 6: What is the ruling on beating the Duff (a tambourine-like instrument without bells)?

Answer: Al-Tirmidee, Al-Nasaa’ee and others reported on the authority of Muhammad ibn Haatib that Allaah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: The difference between what is legal and illegal (in marriage) is beating the tambourine and announcing the marriage in a loud voice.… read more here.

Weddings, birthday parties, and other celebrations

Question 5: What is the opinion on celebrations held by Muslims in Trinidad on the occasions of marriage and moving to a new house, in addition to individual birthdays and other joyful occasions, during which they recite the Noble Qur’aan and songs of praise about the noble Messenger (peace be upon him), after which, they stand up as a way of revering and respecting the noble Messenger (peace be upon him)?

Answer: First, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has prohibited secret marriages. He (peace be upon him) has ordained for us to announce and celebrate marriage and the moving of the bride to her husband’s house. Therefore it is permissible to do this unless the celebration includes dissolute singing, mingling between men and women, or the like of prohibited things… read more here.

What is the ruling on celebrating birthdays?

Question 486: What is the ruling on celebrating children’s birthdays? Is it true that fasting on this day is better than celebration?

Answer: Celebrating birthdays and fasting on birthdays is a Bidd`ah (innovation in religion) which has no origin. Muslims should draw close to Allaah by performing the obligatory and supererogatory acts of worship which He enjoined upon them. They should be thankful and grateful to Allaah all the time for having a sound body, and feeling secure with regard to their lives, money and children... read more here.

Ruling on Celebrating birthdays

Question 219: My son is now living with his mother who celebrates his birthday every year. This involves having a party that includes food and lighting a number of candles equal to the age of my son; every candle representing a year of his life. The child has to blow all these candles and then the party starts. What is the ruling on this?

Answer: It is not permissible to have a birthday party for anyone, as it constitutes a Bidd`ah (innovation in religion). It is authentically reported that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islaam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. This is also done in imitation of the Kaafirs, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who imitates a people is one of them.… read more here.

Ruling on celebrating on occasions like: weddings, moving to a new house, birthdays

Question 16: What is the ruling on the joyful celebrations held by Muslims in Trinidad on particular occasions; such as weddings, moving to a new house, birthdays, and many others? They celebrate them by reciting the Qur’aan, singing eulogies to the honorable Prophet (peace be upon him) and at the end of the celebration they stand out of respect and appreciation to the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Answer: Firstly, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade secret marriages and ordered people to announce weddings. This announcement involves celebrating the wedding and moving the bride to the groom’s house. Thus, it is permissible to hold these celebrations so long as they contain no unacceptable songs, are in a place where there is no mixing between women and men, or what is similar to these forbidden things... read more here.