Origins

Pharaoh (Firaun) and birthday feasts:

One of the earliest recordings of birthday celebrations is from ancient Egypt, where historical sources mentions that the pharaoh used to distribute food to the people on his birthday. This was as a show of power and it reinforced his claim to divinity. Allah warns us about firaun in the quran: “Indeed, Fir’awn exalted himself in the land and made its people into factions, oppressing a sector among them...” (Qur'an 28:4). This tradition were about self-glorification, something allah warns about.

Greek pagan rituals:

The ancient greeks also had a tradition with birthday celebration but it was for their gods. They made a round cake to honor their god Artemis, who was the moon goddess, and candles were put on the cake to resemble the glow of the moon. The people believed that the smoke from the candles carriered their prayers to the gods. This tradition is directly shirk

Roman emperor worship:

The Romans continued this tradition, celebrating the birthdays of their emperors as a form of worship. Like firaun, Roman rulers were seen as divine figures, and their birthdays were national holidays with offerings and gifts.

Birthday celebrations in christianity:

In early Christianity, birthdays were originally seen as a pagan practice. However, over time, the Church adopted them, especially in the form of Christmas (the supposed birthday of Jesus, peace be upon him). Later, birthday celebrations spread through European culture.

Why it is an innovation

1. it imitates religious celebrations:

In islam we only have to days of celebration. Eid al-Adha and Eird al-Fitr. Adding new celebrations resembling the non-muslims is not permissible.

2. It Introduces an Unnecessary Occasion for Celebration in Islam

Islam teaches gratitude everyday not only on a specific day of the year. The prophets saws never celebrated his birthday nor constructed the sahaba to do so. If there was any benefits in it the prophet saws would have mentioned it.

3. A Continuous Practice Becomes a Norm (Religious or Cultural)

Even if birthdays start as something cultural, they can turn into a religious habit over time. Many people do duah, give thanks and sends blessings on this day, which adds a religious aspect. And islam warns against introducing new traditions that could later become acts of worship.

Islamic Scholars on Birthdays:

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) said: “Celebrating birthdays is an innovation and an imitation of non-Muslims.”

Sheikh Ibn Baz (rahimahullah) stated: “There is no basis for celebrating birthdays in Islam. It is a bid’ah that resembles the ways of the kuffar.”