Not Celebrating Birthdays?

I have a Muslim friend who doesn't celebrate birthdays. Its rather strange really as he and his family just treat their birthdays as "normal" days. No cards or presents, nothing.

I darent ask him why as it would be rather personal, could it be a religious issue?

Most people in Africa don't celebrate birthdays.

It's a western commercial gimmick

No it isn't.

after the age of 21 I don't understand why anyone wants to celebrate birthdays. I certainly don't celebrate mine; as far as I'm concerned presents,cards,parties etc are for kids.

No it isn't what?

Birthdays, Mothers days, fathers days are all just a way of making money

Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day and for some even Christmas, yes. But I don't think it's fair to put birthdays in that category.

i think its forbiddan

Some maulvi dude told me once it was haram as its another day you are closer to death or something and its not worth celebrating as you should celebrate every day that Allah [swt] has kept you on this earth not just one significant day. Also complications occur with the day you were born in the Hijri calender which cannot be directly converted into a Gregorian calendar date.

But I still celebrate them!

Nothing wrong to celebrate them and nothing wrong not to celebrate them

Most people in Africa don't have money for one meal a day let alone money for birthday presents

Yes I've also heard that point of view. Not sure whether i agree with it though.

No birthdays are celebrated in my family either.

i dont celebrate my birthdays nor were my brothers birthdays celebrated BUT my nephews birthdays a celebrated

But what is wrong with just wishing members of your family happy birthday, giving them a present etc for them? I dont see where the haram element comes from. As far as I know giving of presents is encouraged in Islam.

depends on how the birthday is celebrated. if done within strict Islamic hudood, then it's fine. the women must observe hijab and pardah. the men are free to eyeball whomever they want as usual. but most importantly, the cake must be picked according to stringent Islamic guidelines for birthday cakes. and no party hats - big no no. don't ask for reasons. just know that there might be a conspiracy at work here.

- Maulana Mutazalzaluzzaman Tarar Namurad

It's my Birthday today and i'm not celebrating it.

They say celebrating birthdays is basically celebrating getting closer to death.

what about " main ne zindagi ka aik aur sal pora ker liya baghair maree hoye " ?

I personally do not celebrate my birthday but I don't mind the presents. I will get the odd phone call from relatives but I don't see it as a big event in my life because we all get older every day. For me Its just another day.

It also depends on your age - When you are younger you expect alot of presents on your birthday but as you get older you would'nt care too much. Birthdays will become less important. As you get older - you will get more and more responsibilities to deal with. The young will just enjoy their childhood which includes Birthdays and alot presents. Those were the days!

Anyway heres the Islamic View: -

http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/...?service_id=327

Indeed. I like to sleep on my birthday for the whole day if its on the weekend. Otherwise I go about my normal business of being a lean mean hobo machine.

We celebrate birthdays in our family but are low key.

I think the issue here is that its more of a Western tradition to do so. Saj, if you're muslim friend doesn't celebrate birthdays then I am sure that Valentines Day, Mothers/Fathers Day are also out of the question.

It's a day closer to Judgment Day and i don't think that's a thing to celebrate for us

i celebrate it every year,

on the same day no doubt?

birthdays can be shunned 4 thier extravagance, not for the age etc.
why do we celebrate id ul milad un nabi?

now, you could die tomorrow or even if you lived 1 sec on earth, dont see the 'closer to death' viewpoint,

wats to celebrate when u grow old it also means one yr of ur life is finished (i view it that way) & i look bac at the failures that could hav been avoided

We celebrate Birthdays becoz it reminds us we are getting closer to death, which means that we will soon be where we belong

My father is kind of against birthdays and doesn't want me cutting a cake or anything like that. No idea why, though.

It's not shirk as we aren't worshipping anyone
It isn't bidah as we don't consider it a religious obligation.
It isn't linked to any particular religion and is a cultural practice

So I don't see how it is Haram.