Why don't Muslims celebrate their birthday?
According to the requirements of Islam, secular holidays are not celebrated among Muslims who clearly adhere to dogmas. Why Muslims do not celebrate their birthday is understandable - this is a common event within the family. Muslims do not think about whether they can celebrate it in Islam or not. The answer is no, the Koran forbids.
People who have adopted the Muslim religion must adhere to the canons of Islam. If acquaintances unknowingly congratulate a Muslim on his birthday, he is not at all happy with the pleasant words of greeting, he may even be offended, offended. The Prophet Muhammad forbids followers to celebrate secular holidays, including birthdays, as he considers this to be an imitation of other religious teachings.
Main reasons
A person's birth number deserves special attention among many peoples. The Holy Quran says that the date of birth is a remarkable event in a person's life. However, in Islam, festive feasts are not arranged on these days. The Prophet Muhammad points out that birthdays should not be celebrated, since this is a new tradition, and Islam rejects everything new.
The Koran is the best guide for Muslims, and it forbids family celebrations. Therefore, Muslims do not celebrate their birthday, they consider such a tradition to be a delusion that has gotten into other religious teachings.
They do not even celebrate the date of birth for children, so that those around them do not have the opinion that a Muslim inaccurately follows the instructions of the Koran, blindly imitates Christians and Jews.
Prophet Muhammad warns in his sermons against following the traditions of other confessions. Muslims do not make holidays on other secular dates either. This would be considered a violation of the instructions of the Qur'an.However, the opinions of modern religious scholars on this matter are divided. Today there are two groups of scholars who have different views on the ability of Muslims to celebrate family holidays.
- Scientists who firmly admit the holiday of the birthday is sinful.
- Scientists who believe it is possible to celebrate birthdays.
According to the first group of religious scholars, any variant of the holiday, including the presentation of gifts, is a sinful violation of the canons of the Koran. The second group of modern scholars considers it possible to celebrate the birth of the head of the family, older boys, in the circle of a Muslim family, without the traditional presence of women, without inviting guests. For such a holiday, Muslims must abide by strict religious rules:
- read prayers due to a specific day;
- in conversations, ponder the results of the past year, analyzing mistakes, building plans for the coming year;
- not refuse gifts that are given by a non-Muslim who has only good intentions.
Islamic scholars are of the same opinion about gifts. This is not typical of Muslim dogmas, so the family refrains from giving gifts on a specific date. But scientists recommend that Muslims working in public institutions with special education should not offend employees by refusing a gift or impartial comments on this matter.
A Muslim should accept a gift so as not to spoil the relationship with the donor.
Can anniversaries be celebrated?
A unique opportunity for Muslims, given by Allah, to gather with the whole family to celebrate the anniversary of the chapter. At a family dinner, the presence of strangers, women, small children is not welcome. They organize a feast for themselves in another room. But everyone has the same goal - to all relatives to thank the Creator for the life given to the hero of the day, for the years given to him, when he was able to thank Allah for the years he lived, as a special mercy.
Unity with family members is strengthened by family ties, this is considered a godly act.
Celebrating the anniversary, it is important for everyone present to think about the purpose in the world, the meaning of life. Service to the Almighty gives harmony, happiness, keeps faith, love for the Lord. Quiet conversations about the meaning of life, about the achievements of the hero of the day allow you to comprehend many wisdom, prepare for the following years, the same rich and prosperous. Reflections on the frailty of life give a sense of the value of the great mercy of Allah Almighty.
What does the Qur'an say?
As already mentioned, the dogmas of the Quran categorically deny the likelihood of a celebration. They are based on quotes from the leading books of the prophets, who consider it wrong to be compared to non-Muslim traditions. Therefore, the celebration is categorically rejected as alien to Islam.
Religious scholars who allow a birthday celebration base their conclusions on quotes from the Koran.
- The Prophet Isa in infancy, thanks to Allah, spoke and said: "... God's blessing on me ... the day I was born ...".
- One of the prophets answers the question about keeping the fast on Mondays: "This is ... my birthday ... sent down the mission of the prophet."
- The birth of every person in Islam is recognized as a great blessing of Allah, whom one should thank for his appearance in the world, thank him for the mercy shown. This is not considered a sin: "... the mercy of Allah ... they will rejoice ...".
On the basis of these quotes, scientists do not consider it a sin to celebrate, to give gifts. Gathering for a birthday in Islam is another reason to remember, to rejoice in the life given by Allah, it is better to realize the approach of death. In order to see a gradual, but inexorable maturation, to appreciate life lessons, to strengthen family ties, you can get together with the whole family - so the lines of the Koran say.
For other purposes, no holidays are observed by Muslims. Strict adherence to the letter of the Quran prohibits celebrating birthdays.And many Muslim families still adhere to this rule.
