In every country there are customs and traditions of celebrating a birthday, with the exception, perhaps, only of some African tribes who still do not use the calendar. In the countries of Islam there is a very interesting custom, unique in a sense. Here the birthday is not celebrated at all. They do not celebrate their own, do not go to strangers and do not help in organizing celebrations.
According to Sharia law, devout Muslims annually celebrate only two holidays - Eid al-Adha and the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Birthday is not a holiday for them.
By the word of the Quran
The ban on birthdays is associated with religion. Followers of Islam must live in accordance with the Koran and devote their lives to serving Allah, like Muhammad, his prophet. In the holy book, you can find the answer to any question, for example, about the "cancellation" of birthdays. The Quran says that only the Lord and his messenger Muhammad have the right to introduce ida (annual holidays); it is strictly forbidden to celebrate other holidays. This rule applies only to those dates that are usually celebrated every year.
Therefore, Muslims celebrate their birth very rarely.
Exceptions
In some Muslim countries, this event is celebrated only twice. The first time is on the day when a person is born, and the second when he turns 52 (like the Prophet Muhammad). The holiday is widely celebrated, a rich table is laid, many guests are invited and praise to Allah is offered. In other states, it is allowed to celebrate birthdays a little more often, for example, to indicate some important stage in life.
Some Muslims succumb to the influences of other cultures and themselves begin to congratulate each other, but this is condemned by clergy, since such a tradition is alien to the true faith. And adopting the customs of another religion is a terrible sin. However, no one is against spending the day in the company of family or close relatives, this is not forbidden, but on the contrary, it is considered a good reason to thank the Lord for life and daily bread. But it is not customary to focus on the birthday person, just as it is not customary to give expensive gifts. Gifts do not even have to be brought exactly on the day of the holiday. They can be transmitted long before the birthday or, conversely, later. Guests are also invited a little earlier or later than the cherished date. This is easy to explain. It is necessary to give joy to others and wish for good every day, therefore, it is completely pointless to single out one of them.
Secular traditions
Young modern Muslims, brought up according to the letter of the Koran in Islamic countries, observe prohibitions and do not celebrate birthdays. You can come to a European on his birthday, you can even bring gifts, but you should not congratulate only the birthday person. You will be perceived as a friend of the family (since you have an entrance to the house), and therefore they will organize both a table and entertainment, but they will be dedicated to you, and not to the birthday man.
However, people of any religion are happy with gifts, and therefore it is appropriate to donate impersonal things (that is, a stranger should not give jewelry, clothes, perfume, etc.), something neutral is better: household utensils, decor items. Never give a Muslim the Koran or prayer paraphernalia.
