Others' festivals, birthdays and celebrations

The two Muslim Eids: ours

Arriving in Medina, the Prophet found two days of play: "Allah has replaced them for you with two better ones: the day of sacrifice and the day of breaking the fast" (Abu Dawud 4031; al-Bukhari 952). Every ritual festival is thus closed: two houses of joy, a closed calendar (al-Bukhari 953).

Other religions' festivals

Two institutional readings. The restrictive reading: the Saudi Permanent Committee judges these festivals innovations: "in Islam there are only two festivals: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha" (Fatawa al-Lajna ad-Da'imah, second collection); Ibn Baz forbids congratulating non-Muslims on their festivals, by mouth, by phone or in writing (fatwa 21240); Ibn Uthaymin forbids sharing them through greetings and prepared dishes. The broader reading: Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyya holds there is no impediment to wishing non-Muslims a good festival and treating them with benevolence (opinion on congratulating non-Muslims).

Birthdays and family festivals

The Permanent Committee: the birthday is not a festival of Islam, celebrating it and offering gifts for it is not permitted (Fatawa al-Lajna ad-Da'imah, second collection); Ibn Baz: "the only occasion we customarily celebrate is the two Eids". Family joy has its licit paths: the two Eids, daily gratitude, meals and gifts without a ritual calendar.

Practical note on others' festivals and birthdays

The simple rule for the family: put splendor into the two Eids (gifts, outings, outfits), keep constant kindness with neighbors of every confession, and treat other celebrations with respect and politeness, without religious ritual.