What is the verdict on celebrating birthdays?

The evidence of Shari`ah from Qur`an and Sunnah has proven that it is neither permissible to celebrate birthdays, nor is it permissible to accept invitations to birthday parties, and this is for two reasons:

The first reason: It is a newly-created innovation in the religion and it has no origin in the pure divine law of Islam. Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, has said (in meaning), {Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed?}[Ash-Shura 42:21] Allah Almighty has also said, {Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment [like the one We ordained for Our messengers before you (i.e. legal system and laws of Islamic Monotheism)]. So follow it and do not follow the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allah (if He wants to punish you). Verily, the wrong-doers are helpers of one another, but Allah is the Helper of the righteous.}[Al-Jathiya 45:18-19] The Messenger of Allah said in an authentic hadith, "Whoever performs a deed which is not from this matter of ours [the religion of Islam] it will be rejected." [Reported in Sahih Muslim] The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said, "The best of speech is the Book of Allah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace); the worst of matters are the newly invented ones and every innovation is misguidance."

The second reason: These occasions contain imitation of the Jews and Christians who celebrate anniversaries of birth, and the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has warned us not to follow their customs and behavior, "Verily, you will follow the ways of those who came before you, step by step; even if they went into a lizard hole, you would go in too." They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, [do you mean] the Jews and Christians?" He said, "Who else?" This was transmitted in both Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. By saying, "Who else?" the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) confirmed that the Jews and the Christians are indeed the ones he meant. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." Ahadith of the same meaning are well-known and abundant. And Allah Almighty is more exalted and more knowledgeable.