Is it forbidden to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in Islam? If this is a pagan practice, where may I find it the in the Qur’ān and Hadīth?
There is nothing in the Sharī`ah against celebrating birthdays or anniversaries. However, it is desirable to avoid show and pomp at all functions and ceremonies, be they birthday parties or other occasions of celebration.
The Prophet (sws), it is known, used to fast on his own birthday. I think it would be nice to add this feature to birthdays. In the case of young children, one or both parents can fast as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty.