“For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow”
[Al-Hajj 22:67]
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History
Valentine’s Day, firstly, known as the ‘Day of Love’ was a pagan Roman festival, which kept on being celebrated until after the Romans accept Christianity as their Religion. This festival was connected with the saint Valentine who was sentenced to death on 14th February 270 CE. The Non-Muslims mostly Christians and Jews still celebrate this festival, in which wickedness and sin are practiced widely.
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Opens the way towards wickedness and shamelessness
Valentine’s Day has become a necessary trend in our society and especially more popular among the girls. When they see other girls hanging out with boys of their age and they are not even their relatives, they tend to look for a partner and in doing so their infatuation arises and they commit greater sins. As the time flies they become used to it and their conscious become shameless.
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Is love forbidden in Islam?
“And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts). Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” [Ar Room 30:21]
Here we take ‘love’ and ‘mercy’ as the key words. The amazing fact about this verse is that this verse comes along with the verses in which Allah mentions His Signs; Night/Day, Heaven/Earth, and Man/Woman and He puts the feeling of love and mercy between the couples in the same value as the creation of Heaven & Earth.
Our beloved Prophet was also expressive about the love he had for His wives. However, most of us are shy to express our love. In fact, many people consider it a sign of weakness and consider it a blow to their pride. But our Prophet (saw) was not shy to express his love of his wife.
Love is not forbidden in Islam, instead, it encourages the Muslims to love each other for the sake of Allah, but of course there are certain limitations to this. Love is a beautiful feeling that Allah (SWT) puts in hearts of the couple who are sincere, pious and God fearing at the time of their nikah (the Islamic way of getting married). And this is a beautiful long-term relationship in life of Muslims in which both individuals are comfortable and pleased with one another.
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Hurmat of Valentine’s Day:
The scholars have given clear fatwas stating that it is forbidden (haraam) to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:
“In recent times the celebration of Valentine’s Day has become widespread, especially among female students. It is a Christian festival where people dress completely in red, including clothes and shoes, and they exchange red flowers. We hope that you can explain the ruling on celebrating this festival, and what your advice is to Muslims with regard to such matters; may Allah bless you and take care of you.”
He replied:
“Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not permissible for a number of reasons.
It is an innovated festival for which there is no basis in Islam.
- It promotes love and infatuation.
- It calls for hearts to be preoccupied with foolish matters that are contrary to the way of the righteous salaf (may Allah be pleased with them).
- It is not permissible on this day to do any of the things that are characteristic of this festival, whether that has to do with food, drinks, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else.
- The Muslim should be proud of his religion and should not be a weak character who follows every Tom, Dick and Harry. I ask Allah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and to protect us and guide us.”
[End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (16/199)]
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Imitating Non-Muslims
‘Tashabbah’ is the term that describes imitation of other nations and implication of their trends into practical lives. It does not only affect superficially but it has very deep effects on the roots of the nation. Holy Prophet (S.A.W) strongly forbidden Muslims to blindly imitate Non-Muslims.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day is clearly a Christian and Jewish tradition and Allah The Exalted and Holy Prophet (S.A.W) never ordered us to celebrate any occasion which increases the certainty of committing shameless sins or which is a sign of clear imitation of non-Muslims, nor we can find this custom in companions of Holy prophet or their followers.
you, who have believed, take not those who have taken your religion in ridicule and amusement among the ones who were given the Scripture before you nor the disbelievers as allies. And fear Allah, if you should [truly] be believers. (Al-Maidah 5:57)
The prophet (S.A.W.) said, “You will surely follow the ways, steps, or traditions of those who came before you, span by span and yard by yard (very closely) even if they entered into a lizard’s hole you will enter it.” The companions asked, “O prophet, you mean the Jews and Christians?” He replied, “Who else!?” [Reported by Imaam Bukhaari]
He also said, “If one imitates another nation or people, he will be from them.” [Reported by Imaam Abu-Daawud]
