CELEBRATING VALENTINE'S DAY

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu

The yearly globalized celebration of love with its ritual circulation of greeting cards, flowers, exalting the color red and exchanging presents in honour and respect for free love is completely against Islamic teachings. Its prohibition is not merely because of its 4th festival held in honour of the Roman god Lupercus, in whose honour an annual lottery on the 13-15 of February was held to distribute young women among young men for "entertainment and pleasure," although this fact alone is enough to prohibit it. Nor is it because of its Christian adaptation in honour of St.Valentine, worshiped by Catholics as the lover’s saint, although this concept of shirk alone is also sufficient to make it forbidden. Nor is it due to the use of pagan symbols of Cupid, the Roman god of desire erotic love and affection, portrayed as a little boy with a bow, whose arrows pierce hearts and overwhelms them with uncontrollable desire, no!!. It is primarily forbidden because it promotes and glorifies sexual abandon and licentiousness in the name of the divinely granted emotional gift of love.

Love in the Islamic context is expressed in a balanced way, beginning with the love for Allah which is not to be compared to anything or anyone. Love for our parents, love for our families and friends and love for society, each having its own rights and duties. This moderate view puts love in its proper context, benefiting everyone all year long and not just confined to a commercialized crazy day of ritualized romantic chaos in the name of love.

In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no room for personal opinion because they have been prescribed for us by Allah and His Messenger. Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allah says in Surah Al-Hajj (Q22:67), "To every people We have appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but you do invite (them) to your Lord: for you are assuredly on the Right Way." And since valentine's day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet said: "Every nation has its ‘Eed " (Bukhari and Muslim) - then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. Celebrating valentine's day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans, then the Christian People of the Book in their imitation of the Romans in something that was not part of their religion. If it is not allowed to imitate the Christians in things that really are part of their religion - but not part of our religion - then how about things which they have innovated in their religion in imitation of idolaters? It is Haraam (prohibited), whether that imitation is of their worship - which is the most serious form - or of their customs and behavior. This is indicated by the Quran, Sunnah and Ijmaa' (unanimous consensus of scholars) and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them. " (Abu Dawood).

The love referred to in this festival results to the spread of fornication, immorality and the forming of forbidden relationships. Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive; it is not restricted only to one kind of love, that between a man and a woman. There are many more kinds of love to people to express to.  It is a dangerous mistake to restrict this broad meaning to this one kind of love and it is more nonsensical to celebrate in on just one day per year.

The husband who sincerely loves his wife does not need this holiday to remind him of his love. He expresses his love for his wife at all time and on all occasions every single day.

And Allah knows best.