Can we celebrate birthdays?

Can we celebrate birthdays?
“No, It is not proper. In Ahmadiyyat, this birthday system is discouraged very strongly.”

Birthday celebrations are meaningless

Birthday is not prohibited in sense that its an injunction of Holy Quran that you will be punished if you celebrate. Rather, it comes under a different area of laghw (vain/meaningless) and the statement of the Holy Quran that they (believers) do not pursue or participate in useless things of life.

It is not part of the shariah or haram but it comes under the category of vain and must be discouraged.

Pray, feed the poor and thank Allah if you must celebrate

How should we celebrate?
Wake up in the morning for Tuhujjud prayers and thank Allah for another year of life, pray that in the future you are able to stay on the right path and your actions please Allah. Read your prayers and give to charity, this is the way you should celebrate if you have to, celebrate the fact that Allah has blessed you with another year. Do not celebrate by buying a cake with happy birthday on it and inviting friends over who give gifts to you.

Don’t do lavish parties and expect people to come and give gifts, rather have it done at home just for children if they really insist but also teach them to give to the poor and pray. Teach children that instead of receiving, become those who give. Birthdays are a waste of money and a useless tradition in which some Khulafa have strongly advised against.

Elisha Farrukh asked if she was permitted to celebrate her birthday at home with her parents and siblings in a simple manner. Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aa smiled and said she was permitted to do so, “however,” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa said, “remember to pray for yourself on your birthday.” Huzoor^aa said that she should also offer two nawafil (voluntary prayers), pray for herself and give charity. Huzoor^aa said that she could then celebrate her birthday at home and cut a cake if she so desired.

[Al Hakam 24/03/2023]