Pages

Monday, February 10, 2014

CELEBRATING VALENTINES DAY IN ISLAM

Celebrating Valentines Day in Islam.
It’s that time of the year again where an annual ritual takes the world by frenzy, and sweeps along the Muslims with it. Now it’s the turn of Valentine’s Day. Saint Valentine's Day, also known as Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine   is observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it remains a working day in most of them .
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAINT VALENTINE AND THIS FESTIVAL
Saint Valentine is a name which is given to two of the ancient “martyrs” of the Christian Church. It was said that there were two of them, or that there was only one, who died in Rome as the result of the persecution of the Gothic leader Claudius, c. 296 CE. In 350 CE, a church was built in Rome on the site of the place where he died, to perpetuate his memory. When the Romans embraced Christianity, they continued to celebrate the Feast of Love mentioned above, but they changed it from the pagan concept of “spiritual love” to another concept known as the “martyrs of love”, represented by Saint Valentine who had advocated love and peace, for which cause he was martyred, according to their claims. It was also called the Feast of Lovers, and Saint Valentine was considered to be the patron saint of LOVERS.
First of all, Celebrating Valentine’s Day is following the ways and traditions of the Romans, and the Christians. The Christians follow the Pagans as this Day is not included in their festivals. As Muslims we are prohibited from resembling the Christians in their religious practices, then how about an act which is invented and followed by pagans!!
وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الإِسْلامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [Surah Aal ‘Imraan, 3:85]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us of our following the ways of the Jews and Christians and those who came before us:
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you, span by span, cubit by cubit, until even if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would follow them.” We said, “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?!” [Sahih Bukhari
There is no religion which encourages its followers to love and care for one another more than Islam does. This applies at all times and in all circumstances, not just on one particular day. Islam encourages us to express our emotions and love at all times, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him.” (narrated by Abu Dawood, 5124; al-Tirmidhi, 2329).
The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another.
Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the greeting of) salaam amongst yourselves.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Best Thing is Marriage
In Islam, it is not a sin if you feel a special inclination towards a certain individual since it’s a natural thing. But we are definitely responsible and accountable if we get carried away by such feelings and take specific actions or steps that might be forbidden.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “We do not think that there is anything better for those who love one another than marriage.” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 1847)
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas (Radiallahuanhu) Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “You have seen nothing like marriage for increasing the love of two people.’ (Al-Tirmidhi  )
Allah says in the Qur'an: "And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you 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] The key words in the verse are - Mawaddatan wa Rahmah - which translates as Love and Mercy. The interesting thing to note about this verse is to notice the location of this verse along with the verses that precede it and those that come after. Allah mentions His Signs (Night/Day, Heaven/Earth, and Man/Woman) and He puts the feeling of Love and Mercy between spouses in the same value as the creation of Heaven & Earth. Now then how can we ignore such a great Sign of Allah?

The Prophet (PBUH) once said about Khadija (RA),” I was verily filled with love for her.” This is how expressive our Prophet was, when he talked of love for his wife. However, today we find that many of us are shy to express our love. In fact, many consider it a sign of weakness to say "I love so and so" and they consider it a blow to their pride to tell their spouse, "I love you". But the Messenger (saw) was not shy to express his love of his wife. And notice that he didn't simply say, "I love her", but he said, "I was filled with love for her".

There is no such thing as love being forbidden in Islam, which encourages Muslims to love each other for the sake of Allah and express your love to your brother, but of course there are limitation to this, let us see Concept of Love in Islam Love is that beautiful feeling Allah (SWT) puts in the heart of a sincere, pious and god fearing couple at the time of their nikah. And this is a serious, long-term relationship in which both individuals are content and comfortable with one another.

Additionally, it is forbidden for a Muslim to assist or help in this Valentine's Day, or any other of the forbidden/illegal celebrations in any way whatsoever - whether by food or drink, selling or buying, production, gift-giving, correspondence, announcements, etc. All of these things are considered as co-operating in sin and transgression and disobedience of Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah, the Glorious and Most High, says:
وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

 and co-operate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not co-operate in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah! Verily Allaah is severe in punishment," [Soorah al-Maa.idah, Aayah 2]