Islamic view of birthdays

Assalamualaikum,
Birthday getting mandatory nowadays to celebrate, please guide us with reference to our Prophet (SAW) and his companions Sahaba Ekram (Amal). Also advise what does islam say about birthday(we as normal human beings) what is recommended in islam to do if day of his/her birth comes everyyear

Please do reply my question
Jazakallah

We humans should be extremely careful of our limited lifetimes and should worry about hereafter at all times.  As times keeps passing on, our life keeps getting shorter and shorter.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has ordered us to consider life a respite for obedience of Almighty Allah.  There is a Hadith in Mishkaat Ul Masabeeh, Pg. No. 443:

Translation: The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) advised a person: You consider 5 things a respite before other 5 things: This youth before old age, health before illness, affluence before poverty, leisure before engagements and life before death.

Even on the birthday, a Momin (believer) should reflect on his/her past life and turn to Allah and repent.  He/she should also thank Almighty Allah for His bounties.  However, in birthday, as a means of thanking Almighty Allah, some arrangements are made within the limits of the Shariah, which are not similar to the customs of non-Muslims, then there is no problem in this.  Greetings can also be exchanged on this occasion.

And Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) knows best.

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri,

[Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder-Director, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]