Ruling on Celebrating Birthdays

As for individuals, there are also those who designate a birthday for themselves. What is the ruling on this?
Answer: All of this is reprehensible. Designating a birthday for oneself, or for one’s mother, daughter, or son—all of these things that people have recently invented by imitating the Christians and the Jews—have no basis or foundation. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Uncle’s Day, or a person’s own birthday, or his daughter’s birthday; all of these are reprehensible. They are all religious innovations, and they all involve imitating the enemies of Allah. None of them is permissible, ever. Rather, it is obligatory to block the door and to be cautious of these newly invented matters. However, some people have been blessed with abundant blessings and wealth has accumulated with them, so they do not know how to dispose of it. They have not been guided to spend it in obedience to Allah, in building mosques, or in supporting the poor. Instead, they play with it in these festivals and the like. If the intention is to revive the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), it is not done through birthdays. It is revived through Islamic lessons in schools and mosques, and through lectures. This is not a religious innovation; rather, it is prescribed and commanded. One studies the Prophetic biography and clarifies the reports regarding the birthday in Islamic lessons in schools, institutes, mosques, and lectures. As for designating a specific time for holding celebrations in Rabi’ al-Awwal or otherwise, involving food, drink, and other things, this has no basis. Rather, it is among the newly invented religious innovations. Yes.