Throwing a Walimah after having a child

Q 4: Is it permissible for a Muslim, on account of having a newborn to prepare food and invite Muslim brothers to it?

A: The Prophet (peace be upon him) enacted `Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn) to be two sheep for a male newborn and one sheep for a female newborn. He also made it permissible to eat, present and give from it in charity. Accordingly, if one who has a newborn prepares food and invites some of his Muslim brothers providing them with some meat of the `Aqiqah, it will be unobjectionable and it will be a good deed. As for the custom adopted by some people of holding birthday parties on an annual basis, whether it is the wish of the parents or the person concerned when he/she gets older, it has nothing to do with Shari`ah. Rather, it is a Bid`ah (innovation in religion). In this regard, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected. He (peace be upon him) also said, He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.