Is it valid to cite the story of Bilal as proof for the permissibility of celebrating birthdays, and is it sufficient for the common woman to rely on the opinion of the majority, or is it obligatory for her to follow one of the four madhhabs, and what about newly emerging issues?

Celebrating birthdays is an alien custom adopted from non-Muslims, and it constitutes an imitation of them, which is blameworthy and forbidden by Islamic law, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." If the celebration is performed as an act of worship, then it is an innovation (bid'ah) and a misguidance that is rejected, because the festivals (Eids) in Islam are limited to Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Furthermore, the Hadith (definition) of Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), who prayed two rak'ahs after every ablution, does not justify innovations, because the Sunnah (definition) of ablution and praying two rak'ahs thereafter is established from the Prophet (peace be upon him), and Bilal did not introduce anything new into the religion. Therefore, whoever designates their birthday for an annual celebration takes it as an Eid, and if they believe it to be an act of proximity to Allah, then they are an innovator. The layman must consult trustworthy scholars regarding matters that are unclear to them.