There is no evidence that the Muslims of that time celebrated birthdays, although the Romans, Greeks as well as the Chinese and the Persians celebrated birthdays long before the advent of modern Islam. However, it is true that during the Middle Ages, celebrating birthdays was considered evil, but candles were lit in order to ward off the evil spirits. A small detail that Mufti Menk either chose to ignore or is not aware of.
I have celebrated my birthday in my childhood. It only used to be with my parents and siblings.
I highly regret it. Waste of money, time, energy and Yes Truly a Biddat (Biddah) inspired from Christians and to some extent Hindus.
So I don't agree with Ismael Menk sahib's explanation but I am with him against this Biddatt.
Infact I am also against many Bad-Rasoomaat and Biddahs of Marriage and Death. I seriously believe that when someone marries or died than Prophet Mohammed Pbuh and his Caliphs and companions Sunnat on these ocassions need to be followed in letter and spirit.
Once a kid in a Q & A session session asked a wise man He loved that Can he celebrate his Birthday on a small level ? Just with family ? As his friends celebrate in school and than there is a party at home aswell where relatives, friends are invited.
He was asked will be drink a Glass of Milk with CockRoach ? Kid replied No.
He was asked ok how about not the complete Cockoach but some part of it ? He said No still I won't.
He said Prophet Pbuh neither celebrated his or anybody else's birthday neither on bigger stage nor at a small level and same was the case of his companions. So let us follow Him Pbuh.
Since this is Ramadan so there is Hadith that you get great Ajarr if you feed a Fasting person on Aftaar.
Now in old times there were some really poor people out there who could not afford decent aftaari, same is the case today.
So how we misuse these Hadith ?
We arrange Aftaar parties at Home, Hotels, Motels. In return those people whom we invited invite Us so every second day you are invited somewhere. If you are from Elite Class than daily. How much Money is spent on this ? And than if it's at home entire family is making arrangements for Guests while in those old days and as per Ahadith there used to be Quran lectures (Dars) during those hours before Aftaari plus people reciting Quran (Aa-emma times) and get themselves involved in prayers. Note these days either you are in office, school, business etc so you only have those 2-3 hours for additional Ramazan struggle in the way of Allah. Yet now its either idle talk and poor ladies struck in kitchen for hourssss.
Fo where goes the Spirituality, faith refreshment and getting maximum use and benefits of Holy Month of Ramazan ?
This is why I am against Biddah's of all sorts.
Oh lastly, Allah had blessed Us with an Uncle who would drive us to School. His mother passef away and he had to do a Chaleeswaan Chehlum in his village where People would enjoy the Tasty Beef Curry. He ended up spending 1.5 lac Rupees. Major Proportion being Loans.
Agar na kertay tou " Naak Katt Jaati " Gaoun mein.
Sorry for Poor arrangement of my post. When I do Gup Shup with someone like you than I tend to be random with focus being on the message getting through.
