How to congratulate a Muslim on the day of birth

Every country has customs and traditions of the celebration of the birth, with the exception, perhaps, only some African tribes that still do not use Google calendar. In Islamic countries there is a very interesting custom in a sense unique. Here birthday is not celebrated at all. Not having their own, do not go to strangers and help in the organization of celebrations.

Under Sharia law, devout Muslims celebrate only two holidays – Eid al-Fitr and the end of the Holy month of Ramadan. A birthday is not a holiday for them.

According to the word of the Koran

The ban on birthdays is associated with religion. Followers of Islam should live according to the Koran and to devote life to the service of Allah, Muhammad, his prophet. In the Holy book to find the answer to any question, such as "the abolition of birthdays. The Koran says that the right to enter the ides (annual holidays) is only God and his messenger Muhammad, to celebrate other holidays is strictly prohibited. This rule applies only to dates, which is usually celebrated every year.
Therefore, Muslims celebrate his birth very rarely.

Exceptions

In some Muslim countries this event is celebrated only twice. The first time that day, when man is born, and the second, when he turns 52 (as the prophet Muhammad). The holiday is celebrated widely, there is a rich table, invite guests, and celebrating the praises of Allah. In other States it is allowed to celebrate birthdays a little more often, for example, to mark an important stage in life.

Some Muslims succumb to the influences of other cultures and they begin to congratulate each other, but it condemned clerics, because this tradition is alien to the true faith. And to adopt the customs of another religion – a terrible sin. However, against to spend the day in the company of family or relatives, no one speaks, it is not forbidden, but on the contrary, it is a good occasion to thank God for life and sustenance. But to focus on the birthday child is not accepted, as it is not accepted to give expensive gifts. Gifts don't even have to bring on the day of the holiday. They can be transmitted long before a birthday or, conversely, later. Guests also are invited a little earlier or later the cherished date. It is easy to explain. To give others joy and do good every day, so to select the one that is completely pointless.

Secular tradition

Young and modern Muslims, educated by the letter of the Koran in Islamic countries, comply with the prohibitions and birthdays are not celebrated. Europeans come to the birthday guests can even bring gifts, but solely to congratulate the birthday boy is still not worth it. You will be perceived as a friend of the family (once you have the entrance to the house), and therefore organize the table and entertainment, but they will be for you, not a birthday.

However, the gifts the happy people of any religion, and therefore it is appropriate to bring a gift of non-personal things (ie, a stranger should not give jewelry, clothes, perfume, etc.), preferably something neutral: household items, decor items. Never give a Muslim a Koran or prayer attributes.