islamic ruling on celebrating valentines day.

[SAAHIB 92]

assalam,



Allaah has chosen for us Islam as our religion and He will not accept any other religion from anyone, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

?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 [Aal ?Imraan 3:85]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that groups of his ummah would follow the enemies of Allaah in some of their rituals and customs, as it says in the hadeeth of Abu Sa?eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him), who narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah 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?!?

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari in al-I?tisaam bi?l-Kitaab wa?l-Sunnah, Baab Qawl al-Nabi (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) La tattabi?unna Sanan man kaana qablakum, 8/151; and by Muslim in Kitaab al-?Ilm, Baab Ittibaa? Sanan al-Yahood wa?l-Nasaara, 4/2054)

What the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spoke of has indeed come to pass and has become widespread in recent times, in many of the Muslim countries. Many of the Muslims follow the enemies of Allaah in many of their customs and ways of behaving, and imitate them in some of their rituals and in celebrating their holidays.

The matter has been made even worse by the opening up of mass communications between peoples, whereby the rituals and customs of the kuffaar are now transmitted with the glamorous adornment of sound and image from their countries into the Muslim countries, via satellite TV and the World Wide Web (Internet). Many Muslims have been deceived by their glamour.

In recent years, a new phenomenon has spread among the Muslim youth ? males and females alike ? which does not bode well. This is manifested in their imitation of the Christians in their celebration of the Valentine?s Day, which has led the scholars and daa?iyahs to explain the rulings of sharee?ah concerning that, out of sincerity towards Allaah, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk, so that Muslims may have a clear understanding of this issue and so that they will not fall into that which will undermine the belief (?aqeedah) with which Allaah has blessed them.

This is a brief discussion of the origins, development and purpose of this holiday, and what the Muslim should do with regard to it.

The story of the Festival of Love (Valentine?s Day)

The Festival of Love was one of the festivals of the pagan Romans, when paganism was the prevalent religion of the Romans more than seventeen centuries ago. In the pagan Roman concept, it was an expression of ?spiritual love?.

There were myths associated with this pagan festival of the Romans, which persisted with their Christian heirs. Among the most famous of these myths was the Roman belief that Romulus, the founder of Rome, was suckled one day by a she-wolf, which gave him strength and wisdom.

The Romans used to celebrate this event in mid-February each year with a big festival. One of the rituals of this festival was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat. Two strong and muscular youths would daub the blood of the dog and goat onto their bodies, then they would wash the blood away with milk. After that there would be a great parade, with these two youths at its head, which would go about the streets. The two youths would have pieces of leather with which they would hit everyone who crossed their path. The Roman women would welcome these blows, because they believed that they could prevent or cure infertility.
Among the most important symbols of this holiday:

1 ? Expressing joy and happiness on this occasion, as on their other major festivals.

2 ? Exchanging red roses, which are an expression of love, the ?spiritual love? of the pagans or the ?love? of the Christians. Hence it is known to them as the Feast of Lovers.

3 ? The sending of greetings cards. On some of these cards are pictures of ?Cupid?, who appears as a child with two wings, carrying a bow and arrows. This was the god of love of the pagan Romans ? exalted be Allaah far above their fabrications and their association of others with Him.

4 ? Exchange of words of love and desire in the greetings cards which they send to one another, in verse, prose and short phrases. Some of the cards contain comical pictures and funny words, and they often contain the phrase ?be my Valentine?. This represents the Christian concept of this festival after it was taken from the pagan concept.

5 ? In many western countries, parties are held during the day and in the evening, where there is mixing of men and women, and dancing. Many of them send gifts such as roses and boxes of chocolates to their wives, friends and those whom they love.

Anyone who looks at what is said above about the myths surrounding this pagan festival will clearly understand the following:

Firstly: That its origins lie in the pagan beliefs of the Romans, where it was an expression of the spiritual love of the idols which they used to worship instead of Allaah. Whoever celebrates it is celebrating an occasion of shirk on which the idols are venerated. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

?Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers?[al-Maa?idah 5:72]

Secondly: That the development of this festival among the Romans was connected to myths and legends which no sound mind can accept, let alone the mind of the Muslim who believes in Allaah and His Messengers (peace be upon them). Can anyone of sound mind believe that a she-wolf suckled the founder of the city of Rome and gave him strength and wisdom. Moreover, these myths go against the belief (?aqeedah) of the Muslim because the One Who bestows strength and wisdom is the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted, not the milk of a she-wolf! The same applies to the myth that their idols could protect them from evil or keep wolves away from their flocks.

Thirdly: Among the ugly rituals of the Romans on this day was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat, the daubing of their blood onto two youths then washing the blood off with milk, etc? This is something that would cause revulsion in anyone of a sound nature, and it is unacceptable to the sound mind.

Fourthly: The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival has been questioned by many sources, and it considered to be far from definite. It would have been better for the Christians to reject this pagan festival in which they imitated the pagans. So how about us Muslims, who are commanded to be different from the Christians and the pagans before them?

Fifthly: this festival was denounced by the Christian clergy in Italy, the bastion of Catholicism, because it was spreading bad attitudes and having an adverse effect on the minds of young men and women. So it is better for the Muslims to reject it, warn others against it and to fulfil their duty towards it of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.

Someone may ask: why do we Muslims not celebrate this festival?

This question may be answered in several ways:

1. 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 ijtihaad or personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

?Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

?To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way[al-Maa?idah 5:48]

?For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow?[al-Hajj 22:67]

like the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. So there is no difference between joining them in their festival and joining them in their other rituals. Agreeing with the whole festival is agreeing with kufr. Agreeing with some of their minor issues is the same as agreeing with them in some of the branches of kufr. Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are told apart, so whoever celebrates their festivals is agreeing with the most distinctive rituals of kufr. Undoubtedly going along with them in their festivals may in some cases lead to kufr. Dabbling in these things, at the very least, is a sin. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said: ?Every nation has its own Eid and this is our Eid? (al-Bukhaari , 952, Muslim, 1892).? (al-Iqtidaa?, 1/471-472)

Because Valentine?s Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said ? ?Every nation has its Eid? (narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim) ? then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs exclusively to them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he does not share their religion or their direction of prayer.

2. 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 a 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 idol-worshippers?!

Imitating the kuffaar in general ?whether they are idol-worshippers or People of the Book ? is haraam, whether that imitation is of their worship ? which is the most serious form ? or of their customs and behaviour. This is indicated by the Qur?aan, Sunnah and ijmaa? (scholarly consensus):

(i) From the Qur?aan: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

?And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment?[Aal ?Imraan 3:105]

(ii) From the Sunnah: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

?Whoever imitates a people is one of them.? (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4021)

Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: ?This hadeeth at the very least indicates that it is haraam to imitate them, although the apparent meaning implies that the one who imitates them is a kaafir, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ?And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa? [friends and helpers]), then surely, he is one of them? [al-Maa?idah 5:51].? (al-Iqtidaa?, 2/722-725)

(iii) With regard to ijmaa?, Ibn Taymiyan narrated that there was agreement that it is haraam to imitate the kuffaar in their festivals at the time of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), and Ibn al-Qayyim narrated that there was scholarly consensus on this point. (See al-Iqtidaa?, 1/454; Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 2/722-725)

Allaah has forbidden imitation of the kuffaar; He has described it as hateful and has warned against the consequences of that, in many aayahs, on many occasions, and in various ways, especially imitation of the kuffaar. Sometimes He does that by forbidding following them or obeying them; sometimes by warning against them or being deceived by their plots, following their opinions, or being influenced by their actions, conduct or attitude. Sometimes He does that by mentioning some of their characteristics that will put the believers off from them and from imitating them. Most of the warnings in the Qur?aan refer to the Jews and hypocrites (munaafiqeen), then the People of the Book in general and the mushrikeen. Allaah tells us in the Qur?aan that imitating and obeying the kuffaar may constitute riddah (apostasy). Allaah also forbids following them, obeying them, or following their whims and desires and bad characteristics.

Prohibition of imitating the kuffaar is one of the basic principles of sharee?ah. Allaah sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that it might prevail over all other religions, and Allaah has perfected His religion for mankind:

?This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion?[al-Maa?idah 5:3 ? interpretation of the meaning].

Allaah has made Islam cover all (human) interests at all times and in all places and for all people. So there is no need to adopt the ways of the kuffaar or imitate them.Among the most important symbols of this holiday:

1 ? Expressing joy and happiness on this occasion, as on their other major festivals.

2 ? Exchanging red roses, which are an expression of love, the ?spiritual love? of the pagans or the ?love? of the Christians. Hence it is known to them as the Feast of Lovers.

3 ? The sending of greetings cards. On some of these cards are pictures of ?Cupid?, who appears as a child with two wings, carrying a bow and arrows. This was the god of love of the pagan Romans ? exalted be Allaah far above their fabrications and their association of others with Him.

4 ? Exchange of words of love and desire in the greetings cards which they send to one another, in verse, prose and short phrases. Some of the cards contain comical pictures and funny words, and they often contain the phrase ?be my Valentine?. This represents the Christian concept of this festival after it was taken from the pagan concept.

5 ? In many western countries, parties are held during the day and in the evening, where there is mixing of men and women, and dancing. Many of them send gifts such as roses and boxes of chocolates to their wives, friends and those whom they love.

Anyone who looks at what is said above about the myths surrounding this pagan festival will clearly understand the following:

Firstly: That its origins lie in the pagan beliefs of the Romans, where it was an expression of the spiritual love of the idols which they used to worship instead of Allaah. Whoever celebrates it is celebrating an occasion of shirk on which the idols are venerated. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

?Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers?[al-Maa?idah 5:72]

Secondly: That the development of this festival among the Romans was connected to myths and legends which no sound mind can accept, let alone the mind of the Muslim who believes in Allaah and His Messengers (peace be upon them). Can anyone of sound mind believe that a she-wolf suckled the founder of the city of Rome and gave him strength and wisdom. Moreover, these myths go against the belief (?aqeedah) of the Muslim because the One Who bestows strength and wisdom is the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted, not the milk of a she-wolf! The same applies to the myth that their idols could protect them from evil or keep wolves away from their flocks.

Thirdly: Among the ugly rituals of the Romans on this day was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat, the daubing of their blood onto two youths then washing the blood off with milk, etc? This is something that would cause revulsion in anyone of a sound nature, and it is unacceptable to the sound mind.

Fourthly: The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival has been questioned by many sources, and it considered to be far from definite. It would have been better for the Christians to reject this pagan festival in which they imitated the pagans. So how about us Muslims, who are commanded to be different from the Christians and the pagans before them?

Fifthly: this festival was denounced by the Christian clergy in Italy, the bastion of Catholicism, because it was spreading bad attitudes and having an adverse effect on the minds of young men and women. So it is better for the Muslims to reject it, warn others against it and to fulfil their duty towards it of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.

Someone may ask: why do we Muslims not celebrate this festival?

This question may be answered in several ways:

1. 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 ijtihaad or personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

?Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

?To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way[al-Maa?idah 5:48]

?For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow?[al-Hajj 22:67]

like the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. So there is no difference between joining them in their festival and joining them in their other rituals. Agreeing with the whole festival is agreeing with kufr. Agreeing with some of their minor issues is the same as agreeing with them in some of the branches of kufr. Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are told apart, so whoever celebrates their festivals is agreeing with the most distinctive rituals of kufr. Undoubtedly going along with them in their festivals may in some cases lead to kufr. Dabbling in these things, at the very least, is a sin. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said: ?Every nation has its own Eid and this is our Eid? (al-Bukhaari , 952, Muslim, 1892).? (al-Iqtidaa?, 1/471-472)

Because Valentine?s Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said ? ?Every nation has its Eid? (narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim) ? then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs exclusively to them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he does not share their religion or their direction of prayer.

2. 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 a 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 idol-worshippers?!

Imitating the kuffaar in general ?whether they are idol-worshippers or People of the Book ? is haraam, whether that imitation is of their worship ? which is the most serious form ? or of their customs and behaviour. This is indicated by the Qur?aan, Sunnah and ijmaa? (scholarly consensus):

(i) From the Qur?aan: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

?And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment?[Aal ?Imraan 3:105]

(ii) From the Sunnah: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

?Whoever imitates a people is one of them.? (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4021)

Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: ?This hadeeth at the very least indicates that it is haraam to imitate them, although the apparent meaning implies that the one who imitates them is a kaafir, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ?And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa? [friends and helpers]), then surely, he is one of them? [al-Maa?idah 5:51].? (al-Iqtidaa?, 2/722-725)

(iii) With regard to ijmaa?, Ibn Taymiyan narrated that there was agreement that it is haraam to imitate the kuffaar in their festivals at the time of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), and Ibn al-Qayyim narrated that there was scholarly consensus on this point. (See al-Iqtidaa?, 1/454; Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 2/722-725)

Allaah has forbidden imitation of the kuffaar; He has described it as hateful and has warned against the consequences of that, in many aayahs, on many occasions, and in various ways, especially imitation of the kuffaar. Sometimes He does that by forbidding following them or obeying them; sometimes by warning against them or being deceived by their plots, following their opinions, or being influenced by their actions, conduct or attitude. Sometimes He does that by mentioning some of their characteristics that will put the believers off from them and from imitating them. Most of the warnings in the Qur?aan refer to the Jews and hypocrites (munaafiqeen), then the People of the Book in general and the mushrikeen. Allaah tells us in the Qur?aan that imitating and obeying the kuffaar may constitute riddah (apostasy). Allaah also forbids following them, obeying them, or following their whims and desires and bad characteristics.

Prohibition of imitating the kuffaar is one of the basic principles of sharee?ah. Allaah sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that it might prevail over all other religions, and Allaah has perfected His religion for mankind:

?This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion?[al-Maa?idah 5:3 ? interpretation of the meaning].

Allaah has made Islam cover all (human) interests at all times and in all places and for all people. So there is no need to adopt the ways of the kuffaar or imitate them.

allahumma arshidna.

ma'assalam,
[/b]

[mlbash]

that's was superb, mr. saahib! please keep it up.

[SAAHIB 92]

xank u very much , malbash i do all this bcos of few minded people like whose re' ready to share their knowledge wiz others xnanks .maassalam