Celebrating birthdays and anniversaries
There are no (legislated) celebrations in Islaam except the day of Jumu’ah which is the 'Eed of the week, and the first day of Shawwaal is the day of 'Eed al-Fitr and the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of 'Eed al-Adhaa. And often the day of 'Arafah is called 'Eed for the people of 'Arafah (the ones performing Hajj) and the days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) are also the days of 'Eed following on from 'Eed al-Adhaa.
As for birthdays of people or children or marriage anniversaries and the like, then all of these have not been legislated and are an innovation.
Lighting-up of the masjid and it’s beautification on special occasions (i.e, `Eed)
The lighting-up of masaajid with decorations on special occasions such as Eed has no basis because the prayers on the occasions of Eed are not generally held in the masjid but performed out in the open areas. Also, the lighting-up of the masaajid specifically on these nights is not appropriate. This may have become a norm for some ignorant people, to light up the masaajid and beautify them on some nights which they believe have special meaning and nobility (such as the 15th night of Sha’baan, the night of the birth of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam), the night of al-Israa. etc). All of these have no basis, rather, they are an innovation. Also, there is nothing specifying these nights in particular for worship or any other act. That which is obligatory is the correct Sharee’ah use of the masaajid throughout the year, taking particular note in its cleanliness and maintenance because they are places for worshipping Allaah each day. It is not correct to specify a particular time or night in the year for lighting them or that which is similar to this.
The ruling regarding kissing the hand or placing it on the chest after shaking hands
From what we know, there is no basis for this action in the Sharee’ah. Kissing the hand or placing it upon the chest after shaking hands has not been legislated. Instead, if one doing so believes it to draw him near to Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) then it is (considered) an innovation.
Pronouncing the intention for the salaah, wudhoo., tawaaf and sa’ee
It’s ruling is that it is an innovation because it has not been transmitted from the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and nor his Companions, so it is obligatory to leave this. The place of the intention is in the heart so there is absolutely no need to pronounce the intention.
And Allaah is the Expounder of Success.
Ruling regarding wiping the neck during wudhoo. and washing more than three times
Wiping the neck during wudhoo. is an innovation and washing the (required) parts (of the body) for the wudhoo. more than three times is an unnecessary extravagance (waste).
“I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has a grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path. (The truth)”
(11:55-56)