Leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband has advised Muslims against celebrating birthdays, contending in a fatwa that Islam does not permit such a practice which is a "tradition of western countries".

Responding to a query of an AMU student, the fatwa department of the country's biggest Islamic seminary said that Islam does not permit such celebrations as they are against the Shariat law.

The query was made in reference to the birthday celebration of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the founder of the Aligarh Muslim University.

"Muslims should not follow the tradition of western culture of celebrating birthdays as it against the Shariat law," Vice-Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Abul Kasim Naumani said here today.

Naumani added that even the Islamic seminary does not celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, the founder of the religion.

Meanwhile, Darul Uloom Deoband today appealed to Muslims to avoid cow slaughter on Id-Ul-Zuha as a mark of respect for the feelings of Hindus.

Maulana Abul Kasim Naumani said, "As a mark of respect for the feelings of Hindus, the seminary has asked Muslims to avoid cow slaughter in the states where government has banned it on the occasion of Id-Ul-Zuha tomorrow."

A book has been brought out by the seminary on the concept of 'qurbani' (sacrifice) associated with the festival and this appeal has been made in it, he told PTI.

He also asked Muslims to cooperate with the sanitary department for the cleanliness drive during the festival.