Why Islam forbids Birthday Celebrations!!

Why Islam forbids Birthday Celebrations

What the historians and experts have to say:

The German periodical "Schwäbische Zeitung" of April 3/4, 1981 stated: "The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating - complete with lighted candles - in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom."

The book The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952) by Ralph and Adelin Linton, said: "The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born."

This same book goes on to say: "The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . . Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune."

Horst Fuhrmann, professor of medieval history at the University of Regensburg, stated: "The birthday celebration was in honor of one's guardian angel or god, whose altar was decorated with flowers and wreaths; sacrifices were offered to the god of festival, friends offered congratulations and brought gifts."

So, birthday celebrations were rooted in pagan worship of the particular guardian spirit or the god of that person's sign that they were born under. It was meant to appease that god or spirit so that the celebrant would be given good fortune, health, or a long a prosperous life by that particular spirit.

" http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_origin_of_birthday_celebration%27s "

= Why does even cristianity forbid this celebration ??
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Read the article fromt he link below.
http://www.thercg.org/articles/abcc.html


Why ISLAM , the true religion of Allah forbid this celebration ????
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The evidence in the Qur’aan and Sunnah indicates that celebrating birthdays is a kind of bid’ah or innovation in religion, which has no basis in the pure sharee’ah. It is not permitted to accept invitations to birthday celebrations, because this involves supporting and encouraging bid’ah. Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not allowed…?” [al-Shoora 42:21]

“Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment. So follow that, and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allaah (if He wants to puish you). Verily, the zaalimoon (wrongdoers) are awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allaah is the Wali (Protector, Helper) of the muttaqoon (pious).” [al-Jaathiyah 45:18-19]

“Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord, and follow not any awliyaa’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) besides Him. Little do you remember!” [al-A’raaf 7:3]

According to saheeh reports, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does something that is a not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected” (reported by Muslim in his Saheeh); and “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The most evil of things are those which have been newly invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” There are many other ahaadeeth that convey the same meaning.

Besides being bid’ah and having no basis in sharee’ah, these birthday celebrations also involve imitation of the Jews and Christians in their birthday celebrations. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, warning us against following their ways and traditions: “You would follow the ways of those who came before you step by step, to such an extent that if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would enter it too.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?” (Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”(/font>

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/115

SHAITAN-THE SWORN ENEMY OF MANKIND!!

THE SWORN ENEMY OF MANKIND

Whoever you may be, there is an enemy who is a devoted threat to you, who wishes for you eternal torment, having dedicated his whole existence to that end. That enemy is Satan. That is, Satan whom Allah cursed and expelled from His presence. He is your greatest foe. Nor is he a mere myth or legend, but a real being.

He has been in existence throughout human history. Millions who lived and died have succumbed to his wiles and been thrown into the flames, and continue to do so. He makes no distinctions among his victims: young or old, male or female, a head of state or beggar... He is against all human beings.

He is watching from afar and hatching his plots, even as you are reading this text. He has but one desire: to lure you, and as many people as possible, to Hell.

For him to succeed in his aim, it is not necessary that he succeed in tempting people to worship him, or to engage in outrageous acts of perversions. Neither does he necessarily wish to lead people to deny Allah. He himself has not done so. His only wish is to keep human beings away from the truth of the religion of Allah, as espoused in the Qur'an; to prevent them from worshipping Allah sincerely; and, as a result, to ensure they will ultimately have been doomed to eternal torment. Even, at times, by employing the guise of piety, he will make reference to the name of Allah, that he may lead people astray from the truth of the religion. That ruse alone is sufficient for him to drag people with him into the pit of Hell. And, no matter what means he employs, that is the inevitable end for those who choose to follow him:

It is written of him that if anyone takes him as a confidant, he will mislead him and guide him to the punishment of the Searing Blaze. (Surat al-Hajj, 4)

Satan has no influence over those devout servants of Allah. Because Allah prevents it, Satan's influence is incapable of diverting believers from the true path. Allah protects those of His servants who devote themselves to Him, and who do not deify others besides Him, from the perverting effects of Satan.

He [Satan] has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. (Surat an-Nahl, 99)

The Prophet Muhammad (saas) stated the same, and further warned the Muslims, in his Last Sermon, of the insidious snares of Satan:

Beware of Satan, for the sake of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in grave issues, so beware of following him in minor aspects. (Sahih Bukhari)

In conclusion, like all other beings, Satan has been charged with a role by Allah. That role is to be a means by which the believers, whom Allah has created for His Paradise, and others, created for Hell, may be distinguished from each another. Therefore, this means serves as a purging. Those with diseased or corrupt hearts are kept from or separated from the believers, by means of Satan. A verse of the Qur'an has revealed that Satan's influence will effect only the following sort of people:

[It is] so that He can make what Satan insinuates a trial for those with sickness in their hearts and for those whose hearts are hard-the wrongdoers are entrenched in hostility. (Surat al-Hajj, 53)

Furthermore, the difficulties which Satan seeks to inflict upon believers also offer an opportunity by which they may draw closer to Allah in this world, and increase their faith:

And [it is] so that those who have been given knowledge will know it is the truth from their Lord and believe in it and their hearts will be humbled to Him. Allah guides those who believe to a straight path. (Surat al-Hajj, 54)

THE QURANIC PATH!!

The Qur'anic Path

Abu A`la Syed al-Maududi

Tahfhimul Quran


'...but all that you may do to understand the Quran is not enough. If you want to identify with the spirit of the Quran, you must practically involve [yourself] with the struggle to fulfill its mission. For the Quran is not a book of abstract theories and cold ideas, which one can grasp while seated in a cosy arm chair. Nor is it merely a religious book like other religious books, whose meanings can be grasped in seminaries and oratories.

'On the contrary, it is a Book which contains a message, and invitation, which generates a movement. The moment it began to sent down, it impelled a quiet and pious man to abandon his life of solitude and confront the world that was living in rebellion against God. It inspired him to raise his voice against falsehood, and pitted him in a grim struggle against the lords of disbelief, evil and inquity. One after the other, from every home, it drew every pure and noble soul, and gathered them under the banner of truth. In every part of the country, it made all the mischevious and the corrupt to rise and wage war against the bearers of the truth.

'This is a Book which launched a glorious movement, with the voice of a single individual, and continued to provide guidance to it for twenty-three years, till the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. At every stage during this long and heart-rending struggle between truth and falsehood, this Book showed its followers the ways to eradicate the old order and usher in the new.

'Is it, then, possible, to reach the heart of the Quran merely by reading its words, without ever stepping upon the battlefield of faith and disbelief, of Islam and Ignorance, without passing through any stage of the struggle? No, you can understand the Quran only when you take it up, begin to act upon it, and call mankind to God, and when every step you take is in obedience to its guidance.

'Then and only then, you will go through all the events and experiences which occurred during the course of its revelation. You will then pass through Makka, and Habash, and Taif; you will face Badr, Uhud, Hunayn and Tabuk. You will encounter Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab; you will meet the hypocrites and Jews; you will come face to face with those who instantly responded to this call as well as those who were drawn into Islam seeking some gain. You will come across all of these human models; you will deal with all of them.

This is a path different from the so-called 'mystic-path', which I name the 'Quranic path' that, as you pass through its various stations and stages, certain Surahs and Ayahs will disclose their full message to you, and tell you that they were revealed precisely for this stage and station that you are passing through. You may miss some linguistic and grammatical subtleties, you may miss certain finer points in the rhetoric and semantics of the Quran, yet it is impossible that the Quran will fail to reveal its full and true spirit to you.

'In the same way, no person can ever understand the legal injunctions, the moral teachings, and the political and economic directives of the Quran, unless and until he puts them into practice. Neither the individual who lives independently of the Quran nor the nation which runs its institutions in violation of its guidance can discover the spirit of the Quran.'

Reference: Tahfhimul Quran, Vol.I, Lahore, 1979, pp.33-4 quoted in Murad, Khurram, 'Way to the Quran', The Islamic Foundation, Leicester, UK, 1991. The above quoted passage appears in the latter on pages 117-118.

KNOWLEDGE!!

Mu`aadh ibn Jabal (radhiallahu `anhu) on Knowledge

Excerpted from works by Ibn Taymiyyah and Abu Nu`aim


The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said about Mu`aadh ibn Jabal: "Verily, when the people of knowledge will be present before their Lord, the Mighty and Sublime, Mu`aadh will be one step ahead of them." [Saheeh, Ibn Sa`d, Aboo Nu`aim, at-Tabaraanee]

He, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, also said about Mu`aadh: "…the most knowledgeable of them [my Ummah] about the lawful and the prohibited is Mu`aadh bin Jabal…" [At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Hibbaan, ibn Maajah, al-Baihaqee, al-Haakim, who declared it Saheeh, and adh-Dhahabee and al-Albaanee agreed with him.]

Ibn Taymeeyah writes in al-Wasiyyah: "Part of Mu`aadh’s excellence further is that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, sent him to the people of Yemen as a preacher on his behalf, a caller, a teacher of understanding in the Deen, a giver of religious verdicts, and a judge."

This is Mu`aadh, radhiallaahu ta`aalaa `anhu, to whom the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, also said: "O Mu`aadh! By Allaah, truly I love you." [Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa’ee, ibn Hibbaa, Aboo Nu`aim, Ibn Khuzaimah and al-Haakim, who declared its isnaad to be saheeh, and adh-Dhaabee agreed]

Aboo Nu`aim reports some sayings of Mu`aadh himself about the excellence of knowledge, among which we find the following:

"Knowledge is a comforting friend in times of loneliness, it is the best companion during travels, and it is the inner friend who speaks to you in your privacy. Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong, and it is the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort, as well as those of hardships. Knowledge is your most powerful sword against your enemy, and finally, it is your most dignifying raiment in the company of your close companions."

"Through knowledge, Allah, blessed be His Name, raises some people in rank, and He makes them leaders in righteousness and models in morality. The vestige of their faith is avidly sought, their deeds are emulated perceptively, and people will seek and sanction their opinions solicitously and unequivocally. The heavenly angels seek their company and anoint them with their wings, every fresh or withered life they pass by implore Almighty Allah to forgive them their sins, even the fish in the oceans, the beasts of the lands and every bird of prey and migratory bird pray and solicit the mercy of Almighty Allah on their behalf. This is because knowledge revives the dead hearts and drives them out of darkness into light, and because knowledge is the light of the inner eyes that cures one’s blindness and restores his inner sight."

WHOSE ISLAM IS IT?

WHOSE ISLAM IS IT?



The current period that the Ummah is passing through is certainly a testing one. With the war of terror against Islam and the Muslims an open agenda, there are many muslim individuals and groups who are speaking as the sole representatives of the deen of Allah Azzawajal, whilst being harshly critical of all other groups. Others adopt the position that everyone and every ideology has good and is welcome. Both paths of extremism are opportune for Iblees to spin his satanic web by fooling Muslims into believing that they are practicing the Islam of Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam and the Sahaabah radiyallaahu 'anhum, whilst promoting the contrary.



Therefore anyone who claims what Islam is and is not is obliged to produce proof or face a total rejection of that claim: “Produce your proof if you are truthful” (TMQ Al Baqarah: 111)



So whose Islam is it?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that all the Sahaabah radiyallaahu 'anhum except a few, became kuffaar after the death of Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam despite Allah Azzawajal’s confirmation: "And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and the Ansar and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success" (TMQ At Tawbah:100) ?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that tawheed (Islam) and shirk (all other religions) are all great faiths and are meant to peacefully co-exist next to each other despite Allah Azzawajal confirming: “He it is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it victorious over all religions even though the Mushrikun hate it“ (TMQ As Saff: 9)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that other humans have been chosen as prophets after the death of Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam despite Allah Azzawajal clearly stating: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but He is the Messenger of Allah and the last (seal) of the Prophets” (TMQ Al Ahzab:40)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who say that the Qur'an is sufficient and there is no need for ahadeeth despite Allah Azzawajal saying: “But no, by Your Lord, they can have no faith until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept them with full submission” (TMQ An Nisa: 65)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that man made-systems like democracy, socialism, communism, etc are equal to or better than the Allah Azzawajal’s Shari'ah despite Allah Azzawajal stating: “And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the kaafirun” (TMQ Al Ma'idah:44)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that women and men are created for the same roles despite Allah Azzawajal deciding: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, because they spend (to support them) from their means” (TMQ An Nisa: 34) and Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam advising a man who asked: “O Messenger of Allah, who among people is most deserving of my good company?” He said, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He said, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He said, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He said, “Then your father.” (Sahih Bukhari/Muslim)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that the hijab for women is not compulsory but a personal choice despite Allah Azzawajal commanding: “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies…” (TMQ Al Ahzab: 59) and the statement of A'isha radiyallaahu 'anha: “When the verse (24:31) was revealed, the ladies cut their waistsheets at the edges and covered their heads and faces with those cut pieces of cloth (Sahih Bukhari)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who distort the obligation of the ibadah act (worship) of jihad with claims such as there is no jihad today or that jihad is within the self only or jihad is linguistic for struggle despite Allah Azzawajal commanding: “Jihad is ordained for you though you dislike it and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you…” (TMQ Al Baqarah: 216) and Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam stating: "I have been commanded (by Allah) to fight people until they testify that there is no true god except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and perform salaah and pay zakaah” (Sahih Bukhari/ Muslim)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that Muslims living in the West can take riba (interest) based loans from the banks due to being in a position of weakness despite Allah Azzawajal severely warning: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from riba, if you are believers. And if you do not then take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger” (TMQ Al Baqarah: 278,279)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim to raise the banner of Islam while befriending those who are actively fighting against Islam and Muslims despite Allah Azzawajal clearly stating: “You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred” (TMQ Al Mujadilah: 22)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that the Muslim-jewish problem is a land issue and not religious one despite Allah Azzawajal saying: “Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers (Muslims) the Jews and those who are Al-Mushrikoon" (TMQ Al Ma'idah :82) and Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam affirming: “The Jews will fight you and you will prevail over them, then a rock will say, “O Muslim, here is a Jew behind me, (come and) kill him” (Sahih Bukhari)?



Is it the “Islam” of those beggars who keep running to the United Nations for resolutions and assistance in Muslim issues despite Allah Azzawajal’s warning: “O you who believe! If you obey a group of those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians), they would (indeed) render you disbelievers after you have believed” (TMQ Aal Imran: 100)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that there are certain spiritual groups or orders that one must subscribe to in order to get close to Allah Azzawajal despite Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam teaching us: “The closest a person is to His Lord is when he is in prostration so increase supplicate (in it)” (Sahih Muslim) and “If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah” (Tirmidhi)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who call upon dead human beings to seek forgiveness from Allah Azzawajal on their behalf despite Allah Azzawajal warning: “And invoke not, besides Allah, any that will neither profit you, nor hurt you, but if (in case) you did so, you shall certainly be one of the dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)” (TMQ Yunus :106)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who pick and choose which parts of Islam they want to follow despite Allah Azzawajal ordering: “O you who believe! Enter into Islam completely and follow not the footsteps of shaytaan” (TMQ Al Baqarah: 208)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who claim that certain scholars from Arabia or the Indian Sub-Continent must be followed and obeyed without question, (resembling Bani Israeel) despite Allah Azzawajal saying: “They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah” (TMQ At Tawbah:31) A former Christian, Adi ibn Hatim, said, "O Allah's Messenger. They do not worship them." Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam said, "They certainly do. They (i.e. rabbis and monks) made lawful things as unlawful and unlawful things as lawful, and they (i.e. Jews and Christians) followed them, and by doing so, they really worshiped them."(Musnad Ahmad/Tirmidhi)?



Is it the “Islam” of those who wish to re-interpret the clearly established laws from Qur'an and Sunnah despite Allah Azzawajal ordering: “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error” (TMQ Al Ahzab: 36) ?



All these “versions” of Islam are a manifestation of Allah Azzawajal's Words: “Have you seen him who takes his own desires as his ilah (god)?” (TMQ Al Jathiyah: 23)



Islam belongs to Allah Azzawajal and no creation has the authority to claim beliefs, practises or ideologies that are contradictory to His Azzawajal's Perfect Choice: “This day I have perfected your religion for you completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (TMQ Al Ma'idah: 3)



The basis of Islam is pure tawheed (oneness of Allah Azzawajal in worship, lordship, names and attributes and legislation). Allah Azzawajal's way is clear and so is His deen and therefore we shouldn't have any confusion in the matter especially when we have access to the Noble Qur'an: “And verily, this is My Straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al Muttaqun (pious/righteous)” (TMQ Al An'am: 153) and the authentic Sunnah of Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam: "There is nothing that will take you closer to Paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will take you closer to Hell but that I have warned you from it” (Musnad Ahmad)



Which then, is the correct way?



This was told to us by Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam: “And this Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects all of which except one will go to Hell and they (i.e. the Saved Sect) are those who are upon what I and My Companions are upon (i.e. those who follow My Way and the Way of my Companions.)” (Tirmidhi)



So the first characteristic is of a group who are people of Qur’an and Sunnah.



Furthermore, Allah Azzawajal and His Rasul sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam have specified certain key characteristics of a very special ta'ifah (group) that is from within the group of Qur'an and Sunnah.



“O you who believe! If any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him; humble before the believers, stern against the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never fear the blame of the blamers. That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He wills. And Allah encompasses all, and He knows all things” (TMQ Al Ma'idah: 54)



And from Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam: “A group of people from my Ummah will continue to fight in obedience to the Command of Allah, remaining dominant over their enemies. Those who will oppose them shall not do them any harm.” (Sahih Muslim)



The characteristics that are deduced from the above ayah and hadeeth are as follows and should be easy for anyone who sincerely wishes to understand insha Allah: 1) “Allah Azzawajal loves them” 2) “They love Allah Azzawajal”



Although these first two characteristics are unseen to us, we can safely assume that if they are fulfilling the remaining requirements and responsibilities, then they are those who love Allah Azzawajal and those whom Allah Azzawajal loves.



3) “They are humble towards the believers”



They are concerned about what happens to believers around the world. If any Muslim is killed, raped or tortured they feel that it is their responsibility to defend him/her. They put their lives on the line for this and spend from what Allah Azzawajal has blessed them with. This point excludes those Muslims who are extremely critical of other Muslims, stand with the kuffaar, fight against Muslims and get fatawa issued approving their evil actions



4) “They are stern towards the disbelievers”



They are willing to stand up to the tyranny and oppression of the kuffaar despite the difficulties that would entail. Of importance to note is that there are Muslims who are critical of other Muslims but very humble and kind towards the kuffaar – indeed a total contrast to this ayah!



5) “They fight in the path of Allah Azzawajal”



It's not very difficult to find those who are fighting in the path of Allah Azzawajal. Take a look in the media at who is being fought against and slandered in the war of terror. Many groups are eliminated by this characteristic.



6) “They don't fear the blame of the blamers”



Irrespective of whether it is the kuffaar or the munafiqeen (hypocrites) who slander and speak negatively about them in the media and on the mimbars, they don't care as long as what they are doing pleases Allah Azzawajal and is in accordance with the Sunnah.



7) “Those who oppose them wont harm them”



Whoever betrays them be it from among the Muslims (many have done so) or non-Muslim, does no harm to them



8) “They are a group”



They work in a jama’ah as an organised structure, as a group with a common objective



What are we still confused about?