Title: Regarding Celebrations & Social Occasions Question: Dear brother, please clarify the following: I have been given to understand through many of my Muslim brothers and they say it is quoted in Hadith , that Muslims are supposed to celebrate only 2 Eids and nothing else. Is this true, as I have read in one of your articles that birthdays can be celebrated provided it is within the limits of Shariah. Continuing on the same question, I am also told that the prophet has asked us to be different from the Jews and maintain our own identity. By cutting a birthday cake with candles, does it mean, we are identifying with the Jews Christians as it generally considered being part of a western culture (Cutting of Birthday cakes) Also, a question was asked to Dr. Zakir Nayak (Islamic Research foundation) whether we could wish non-Muslims on their auspicious days (Christmas/Diwali). His reply was that by wishing them or taking part, we are actually giving shahaddah that, what they celebrate is right. I think it is an extreme view, coz in this multicultural environment it is difficult to tell people that I cannot wish you as I do not agree with your practices and religion. My objective is not to create controversies so I am not requesting you to comment on Zakir Nayak, only asking is it allowed for Muslims to wish the non-Muslims on their auspicious occasion and your explanation for doing so. Regards Shakeel Abdul Answer: The two Eids are religious celebrations of the Muslims. Only these celebrations, in the Islamic tradition, enjoy religious significance and sanctity. No other celebration or occasion, whether anyone's birthday or a marriage anniversary, entails any religious significance or sanctity. In view of this fact, giving any other celebration or occasion, besides the Eid al-Fitr and the Eid al-Adha , a religious significance or sanctity, would be making an addition to the corpus of Islam and, therefore, would not be correct. However, there can, obviously be a number of functions, celebrations and occasions, which enjoy only a socio-cultural significance and are not given any religious significance and sanctity. In my opinion, participating in any other celebration or even arranging a socio-cultural celebration, without giving it any religious significance and sanctity is not prohibited. Celebrating a child's birthday or one's marriage anniversary, without giving such celebrations a religious significance should, therefore, not be considered incorrect. Islam does not have any objection to such celebrations, as long as they are neither given a religious status nor entail any immoral or unethical elements. As for conveying our wishes to the adherents of another religion at any of their religious celebrations and gatherings, I consider such wishes to be a part of healthy interaction and good social relations between the Muslim and the non-Muslim population of a society. I do not consider such wishes as witnessing the correctness of such celebrations. When any of my non-Muslim friends and acquaintances, sends me his/her best wishes on Eid , I never construe such wishes as his bearing witness regarding the truthfulness of my beliefs. I do not see any reason to do so. Similarly, I am quite certain that when I send them my wishes on their religious occasions, they see it only as my 'best wishes' not as my 'witness'. In view of the above, I do not see any harm in conveying our wishes to our non-Muslims friends, associates and acquaintances on their religious occasions. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad January 1, 2002