Wishing ‘Happy Birthday’ To A Muslim
Question: Assalamu Alaikum,
Respected Shaykh, is it permissible for us Muslims to say “Happy Birthday” to another Muslim? As Muslims we don’t celebrate it but can we wish one another birthday greetings?
Answer: Wa Alaikum As Salaam
With respect to the meaning of “Happy Birthday”, it simply means that one is saying to another, may you have a good birthday and one that is filled with happiness. Birthdays are days that people (Muslims as well as non Muslims) are happy and joyous about and is a natural feeling which comes in one’s heart and mind. Hence, with this meaning and understanding that it is a supplication that you are making for someone it will be allowable to wish someone goodness and Allah’s blessings. In order to move away from the custom of non Muslims, you can say to a person, “May you have a blessed day today, and May Allah grant you goodness in your life and grant you the ability to use the rest of your life in a good manner”. However, saying it in order to follow the custom and way of the non Muslims will not be permissible.
And Allah knows Best
Mufti Waseem Khan
17-02-2015