Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

dear mr. burhan

assalamo alaikum

people say " The romance of St. Valentine`s Day is gradually melting the ARAB world and the number of people celebrating the day is increasing every year"

my question to you is can a muslim celebrate valentine`s day? if it is not permitted in islam than why do arab muslim celebrate? and why should one not celebrate pls. expalin in detail.

jazakallah khair

a sister

 

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Answer:

 

Valentine day

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Your Question: why should one not celebrate pls. expalin in detail.

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some reports state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity.  He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries.  Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".  Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine.

 

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first Valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised.

 

Some other reports on the origin of Valentine’s Day state that it started in the time of the Roman Empire.  In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honor Juno. the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.

 

Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II.  He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, and for this deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off.  He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 270.  At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom, indeed, to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honor of a heathen god. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed.

The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavored to do away with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's Day for the celebration of this new feast. So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose in this way.

 

Your Question: my question to you is can a muslim celebrate valentine`s day?

Thus regardless of which story is accurate or which legend one wishes to accept, it is certain that Valentine’s Day has its origin based on a pagan culture, and paganism has absolutely no basis in Islam.  It does not behove a believer, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to celebrate or commemorate pagan rites and rituals and festivals, thus it would be best and purest if the believers feared Allah and absolutely rejected this pagan celebration and abstained from commemorating or celebrating it.

 

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4020  Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘He who copies any people is one of them.’

 

Your Question: if it is not permitted in islam than why do arab muslim celebrate?

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verse 31-32:

O Prophet,  tell the people, “If you sincerely love Allah,  follow me.   Then Allah will love you and forgive you your sins,  for He is All Forgiving,  All Merciful.”  Also say to them, “Obey Allah and His Messenger.”  And if,  in spite of this,  they do not accept your invitation,  warn them that Allah does not love those,  who refuse to obey Him and His Messenger.

 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzab verse 21:

There is indeed the best example for you to follow in the Messenger of Allah, for every such person looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.

 

The approved way of life or Islam is based on the Guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws), and definitely not on the what the ‘arab-muslims’ practice! 

 

If some amongst the ignorant muslims imitate or celebrate a pagan festival or culture, they will be accountable for their transgression in the Majestic Presence of the Lord All-Mighty on an Inevitable Day.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan