Is it permissible for a married couple to celebrate their wedding anniversary privately by exchanging gifts, knowing that the wife might celebrate it with her family if the husband refuses?

Celebrating a wedding anniversary is not a custom of Muslims; rather, it is a custom of others and should be avoided. Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymeen issued a fatwa stating the impermissibility of making the wedding day an annual celebration for exchanging gifts and rejoicing.

Spouses can express their love through permissible means, such as giving gifts at any time. The wife must obey her husband in abandoning this custom, and she is not permitted to disobey him by celebrating at her parents' home. The husband should teach her matters of her religion. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever seeks Allah's pleasure by displeasing people, Allah will suffice him against the burden of people. And whoever seeks people's pleasure by displeasing Allah, Allah will entrust him to the people."