Fatwa

Wedding/Nikah Anniversary

Question

Q. 1
Is it permissible to celebrate a Wedding or Nikah anniversary with your spouse.
Q. 1.1
Is it permissible to exchange gifts on the day in question.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Celebrating wedding anniversaries is from the ways of the modern disbelievers who celebrate everything but take lesson from nothing. It is known that the only reason we today are tempted to celebrate such dates is simply because western trends have found their way into our lives. Were it not for that, we would not have celebrated these dates.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has prohibited imitation of the disbelievers. See the following hadith,

عن ابنِ عُمَر قال: قال رسولُ الله صلَّى الله عليه وسلم: مَن تَشَبَّه بقومٍ فهو منهم

Translation: “Whoever imitates a nation will be (counted to be) from amongst them (in the hereafter).” (Abu Dawud-4031)

A couple should express their love, affection, and appreciation for each other often, without stipulating a day. The same is the case with exchanging gifts. As Muslims, our ethos bids us to constantly shower affection and gifts to our loved ones. This was the way of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best 

Mufti Bilal Pandor

Concurred by
Mufti Nabeel Valli

Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia

www.daruliftaazambia.com