Birthday during Ashura

[ZahraaAbdul]

Hello, I have some questions on my mind. My birthday is on October 15th, in the beginning of ashura. It is my 18th birthday and I want to celebrate it but I dont know if it is right to do so in that specific time. My family members told me a couple of stories about people who disrespected the sad period and were faced with difficulties later on in life. I wanted to know a couple more peoples views on this topic, have you heard any stories about people partying during ashura? If so, did anything happen to them? 

 

[zainabamy]

Salam,

I think its acceptable to celebrate your birthday but do it in a conservative and respectful manner. As its your 18th maybe you could wait a few days after Ashura before doing anything major.

[Purged]

yeah a few years ago, a distant cousin of mine got married. since he was the only child, his parents threw a big wedding party. long story short, he died. parents are clinically depressed and the deceased's wife, psychotic. 

 

[Smiles786]

My birthday has been during the 10 days of Muharram or Arbaeen a few times.  We just did cake and dinner at home with immediate family. My choice.

[Sirius_Bright]

Leave about something happened to anyone, how can we celebrate our happiness on the day when our Imam was brutally martyred.?? 

If a death in our family coincides with our birthday, will we still celebrate? 

[Irfani313]

Sister, God Forbid, God Forbid again - imagine your mother, father, uncles, little sister, and baby brother died on the day of your birthday, would you celebrate it?

Ashura, the 10 days, of the  month of Muharram and the 30 days following it are the most saddest times for the family of our dear Prophet S and his holy household. No muslim with a heart could even eat three meals a day in peace while the children of Abi Abdillah Al-Hussain AS are hungry and thirsty suffering in loneliness and fear.

For you 18th birthday, why don't you celebrate it on your Islamic birthday? For example if you were born on 11th of RabiulAwwal, celebrate it then. Besides for next 4 years at least, your birthday would come in the 30 days of Muharram and 10 days of Safar, so you won't be celebrating it for next four years anyway.

 

 

[Guest]

Sister , irrespective of anything bad happening to them in this life or not we, claiming to be shias, should observe solemnity during the days of mourning. 

[Pearl178]

A lot of people don't realize that the events following Ashura are even more gruesome and sad. In fact, Safar is considered even sadder for Shias than Muharram due to the suffering that bibi zainab *(a.s) went through. OP: I would advise you to refrain from any kind of celebration, mild or major, during the 2 months of Muhrram and Safar. 

[Irfani313]

^ and the first 8 days of RabiulAwwal. Because just in those 8 days, there are three dates associated with the sufferings of the Imams from Ahlulbayt AS.

Celebrate all you want from 9th of RabiulAwwal onwards for the rest of year.

[ShiaMan14]

On 9/7/2016 at 5:01 PM, ZahraaAbdul said:

Hello, I have some questions on my mind. My birthday is on October 15th, in the beginning of ashura. It is my 18th birthday and I want to celebrate it but I dont know if it is right to do so in that specific time. My family members told me a couple of stories about people who disrespected the sad period and were faced with difficulties later on in life. I wanted to know a couple more peoples views on this topic, have you heard any stories about people partying during ashura? If so, did anything happen to them? 

I am surprised that a shia would even ask such a question. Sister - 18 is just a number and nothing more. It is celebrated in the West because they are legally able to drink at 18, otherwise it has no meaning. 

You are classified as an adult at 18 so do the adult thing and get over your age.

[ZahraaAbdul]

To all of you who answered my question in a nice manner, thank you and I appriciate you. For those who even try to shame me for wanting to discuss a topic, as in making me feel guilt for even having these thoughts, please stop and think about your impact in Islam. As brothers and sisters we are supposed to be able to ask, discuss and approach each other with thoughts without getting shamed or looked down on. I am obviously not going to celebrate my birthday, hence me being here asking for others comments on this topic. If I did not care about my religion I would not have been on this site period! Please, re-think your words before you send them, you CAN NOT make someone more religious by shaming them. 

[Guest Aleena]

aoa my name is aleena and on September 6 its my15 birthday 

Can i just cut a cake without inviting any of my friends and family

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Guest Aleena said:

aoa my name is aleena and on September 6 its my15 birthday 

Can i just cut a cake without inviting any of my friends and family

Preferably not. Out of respect for the martyrs of Karbala it is better not to have any celebrations.

[Diaz]

36 minutes ago, starlight said:

Preferably not. Out of respect for the martyrs of Karbala it is better not to have any celebrations.

But ashura is on 29th right?

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Diaz said:

But ashura is on 29th right?

Yes, but it would still be Muharram. I rather not have any celebrations during the month, the ladies of Ahlulbayt(عليه السلام) were still imprisoned and in mourning.

[Sirius_Bright]

1 hour ago, Guest Aleena said:

aoa my name is aleena and on September 6 its my15 birthday 

Can i just cut a cake without inviting any of my friends and family

Alaikis Salaam, 

Ask yourself, why do you want to cut a cake? Because it's your birthday and you are happy. That's called as celebration even if you don't invite anyone. There's no celebration for Shias in days of mourning. 

[Guest Guest Guest]

On 8/17/2020 at 11:42 AM, Guest Aleena said:

aoa my name is aleena and on September 6 its my15 birthday 

Can i just cut a cake without inviting any of my friends and family

I think you should cut it now, or wait to have a big celebration after Muharram

[Abu Hadi]

On 9/11/2016 at 5:06 AM, ZahraaAbdul said:

To all of you who answered my question in a nice manner, thank you and I appriciate you. For those who even try to shame me for wanting to discuss a topic, as in making me feel guilt for even having these thoughts, please stop and think about your impact in Islam. As brothers and sisters we are supposed to be able to ask, discuss and approach each other with thoughts without getting shamed or looked down on. I am obviously not going to celebrate my birthday, hence me being here asking for others comments on this topic. If I did not care about my religion I would not have been on this site period! Please, re-think your words before you send them, you CAN NOT make someone more religious by shaming them. 

If you are going to do a celebration, keep it low key and don't invite a bunch of people. Some people believe that all normal life should stop for 40 days. That is not realistic and that was not the purpose of Ashura is. It is those kinds of opinions that push people away from the path of Ahl Al Bayt((عليه السلام)) because then people see it as a hard / impossible path to follow. The purpose is to remember the sacrifice made by Imam Hussein((عليه السلام)) and his family for us, by saving the religion of Islam from extinction. Also, out of caution and respect for the solemnity of these days, we should refrain from loud, boisterous celebration that would cause a public spectacle. If you stay within those guidelines, I think you'll be ok. I hope you will remember Imam Hussein((عليه السلام)) and the sacrifice, and I also hope you will enjoy your 18th birthday. Salam. 

Edited August 19, 2020 by Abu Hadi

[hasanhh]

l hope this is a thoughtful question, inshallah:

How would you celebrate if it was Ramadhan?

[Guest Pschological Warfare]

On 9/7/2016 at 5:01 PM, ZahraaAbdul said:

Hello, I have some questions on my mind. My birthday is on October 15th, in the beginning of ashura. It is my 18th birthday and I want to celebrate it but I dont know if it is right to do so in that specific time. My family members told me a couple of stories about people who disrespected the sad period and were faced with difficulties later on in life. I wanted to know a couple more peoples views on this topic, have you heard any stories about people partying during ashura? If so, did anything happen to them? 

Just as an FYI, Ashura is on the tenth of Muharram. You are probably referring to the Mourning period From the first of the month of Muharram, Safar, ends on 9th Rabi ul Awal ( Eid-e-Zahra) , about two months and eight days of mourning. 

If I was fortunate/blessed to be born in the Mourning period. I would take advantage of this blessing to serve the cause. I would delay my birthday celebration till 9th Rabi ul Awal ( Eid-e-Zahra). Because when people ask when is your birthday, I would tell them in Muharram but out of respect/love and my admiration of the Greatest Sacrifice of Imam Husayn(عليه السلام) I do not celebrate anything during this time. This way, you raise awareness. 

Cause(Greatest Sacrifice)  is bigger than the individual desire. Opposite will be Cause(individual desire) is priority over everything else. In both cases the Cause is always priority. 

Now the question of should I or not. This is an Obligation out of love and respect. So, No one can tell you what you need to do, it is you who decides.

As far as any harmful effects. Well, Yes- to you by you. If you were to celebrate and disregard Greatest Sacrifice. Your action does not impact the Greatest Sacrifice. It impacts your pysc-as you are unwilling to sacrifice some little transist personal comfort/ease/happiness/joy/recognition/social event/celebration for the Greatest Sacrafice which saved Islam. May imply, You personally may not be willing to sacrifice anything for Islam over your individual desire(s). So, it is just the wrong conditioning of self. You lose and become a puppet of desire.

Azadar.

[Guest random]

If it is my friends birthday can I wish her after Maghrib on ashura? I’m not celebrating with her I just want to tell her happy birthday on text and that’s it but after Maghrib when the Islamic day is technically over??

[Guest Guest Guest]

4 hours ago, Guest random said:

If it is my friends birthday can I wish her after Maghrib on ashura? I’m not celebrating with her I just want to tell her happy birthday on text and that’s it but after Maghrib when the Islamic day is technically over??

I would probably wait a whole day(or two) after