The Encyclopedia Americana (1991 edition) states: �The ancient world of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings, and nobles.� Authors Ralph and Adelin Linton reveal the underlying reason for this. In their book The Lore of Birthdays, they write: �Mesopotamia and Egypt, the cradles of civilization, were also the first lands in which men remembered and honoured their birthdays. The keeping of birthday records was important in ancient times principally because a birth date was essential for the casting of a horoscope.�
So, there is a direct connection between the Pagan practice of birthday celebrations and astrology.(horoscopes and fotune telling)
Notice what the Bible says about astrology and fortune telling at Isaiah 47:13-15: "�You have grown weary with the multitude of your counselors. Let them stand up, now, and save you, the worshipers of the heavens, the lookers at the stars, those giving out knowledge at the new moons concerning the things that will come upon you. �Look! They have become like stubble. A fire itself will certainly burn them up. They will not deliver their soul from the power of the flame. There will be no glow of charcoals for people to warm themselves, no firelight in front of which to sit down. �Thus they will certainly become to you, with whom you have toiled as your charmers from your youth. They will actually wander, each one to his own region. There will be no one to save you."
Not surprisingly then, the ancient Jews did nt celebrate birthdays, regarding them as Pagan.
Also, The World Book Encyclopedia states: �The early Christians did not celebrate His [Christ�s] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone�s birth to be a pagan custom.��Volume 3, page 416.
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Anas (ra), a companion of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reported that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, the people of Madinah used to have two festivals. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked the Ansaar (the Muslims of Madinah) about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told them: 'Instead of those two days, Allah has appointed two other days which are better, the days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.' (Hadith)
Hadith - Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (3/188).
"… The most truthful speech is the Book of Allaah. The best way is the way of Muhammad. The worst of affairs are the novelties and every novelty is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire." [Saheeh according to Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan in-Nasaa'ee (no. 1487)]
did you know that origin of birthdays.
check these sites out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_origin_of_birthday_celebrations
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Birthday celebrations are actually rooted in paganism.
The Encyclopedia Americana (1991 edition) states: �The ancient world of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings, and nobles.� Authors Ralph and Adelin Linton reveal the underlying reason for this. In their book The Lore of Birthdays, they write: �Mesopotamia and Egypt, the cradles of civilization, were also the first lands in which men remembered and honoured their birthdays. The keeping of birthday records was important in ancient times principally because a birth date was essential for the casting of a horoscope.�
So, there is a direct connection between the Pagan practice of birthday celebrations and astrology.(horoscopes and fotune telling)
Notice what the Bible says about astrology and fortune telling at Isaiah 47:13-15: "�You have grown weary with the multitude of your counselors. Let them stand up, now, and save you, the worshipers of the heavens, the lookers at the stars, those giving out knowledge at the new moons concerning the things that will come upon you. �Look! They have become like stubble. A fire itself will certainly burn them up. They will not deliver their soul from the power of the flame. There will be no glow of charcoals for people to warm themselves, no firelight in front of which to sit down. �Thus they will certainly become to you, with whom you have toiled as your charmers from your youth. They will actually wander, each one to his own region. There will be no one to save you."
Not surprisingly then, the ancient Jews did nt celebrate birthdays, regarding them as Pagan.
Also, The World Book Encyclopedia states: �The early Christians did not celebrate His [Christ�s] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone�s birth to be a pagan custom.��Volume 3, page 416.
===============================
Anas (ra), a companion of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reported that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, the people of Madinah used to have two festivals. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked the Ansaar (the Muslims of Madinah) about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told them: 'Instead of those two days, Allah has appointed two other days which are better, the days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.' (Hadith)
Hadith - Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (3/188).
"… The most truthful speech is the Book of Allaah. The best way is the way of Muhammad. The worst of affairs are the novelties and every novelty is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire." [Saheeh according to Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan in-Nasaa'ee (no. 1487)]