Valentine’s Day
What is Valentine’s Day? According to the internet, Valentine’s Day is a holiday that’s popularly observed as a day to celebrate love, especially by those in romantic relationships. Valentine’s Day is traditionally observed by exchanging of gifts or cards called “Valentine’s”. It originated from a Roman (pagan) festival. The Romans had a festival called “Lupercalia” in the middle of February – officially the start of their springtime.
Since the 14th century, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated as a day of endearment and passion, but how did the day get its name? According to some myths, the day was commemorated after a priest named Saint Valentine, a Roman priest and physician, suffered martyrdom.
From the above, it is clearly evident that this is a pagan celebration of the Kuffar, filled with the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala. The celebration encourages individuals to engage in Haraam relationships and it is promoted by saying, “Enjoy some time to mingle ” . Unfortunately, Muslim youth studying at universities, colleges, high schools, and now even at primary school level, celebrate the day by purchasing gifts for classmates (of the opposite gender) in the form of chocolates, roses, cards, teddy bears etc. This is, in actual fact, the starting point of illicit relationships, which gradually progresses over time, until one is involved in the sin of fornication. Such youth are later uninterested in marriage and prefer living as a single person, as there aren’t responsibilities attached to living a “free life”. They are at liberty to roam around and enjoy as they wish (Allah Forbid!). This is against the very grain of Shariah and in conflict with the teachings of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Allah Ta’ala states, “Verily we had sent many messengers before you (O Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and we granted them wives and progenies. [Re:- Surah Ra’ad Verse 38]
It is recorded in a narration of Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah that it is the right of Allah Ta’ala to assist three categories of people, “A person that makes Jihaad in the path of Allah Ta’ala, a slave that intends paying for his freedom (so that he may be freed from the clutches of slavery), and a person that marries in order to preserve his chastity.”
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ثلاثة حق على الله عونهم: الغازي في سبيل الله، والمكاتب الذي يريد الأداء، والناكح الذي يريد العفاف (ترمذي / ابن ماجة)
Abdullah Bin Masood Radiallahu states, “Seek wealth in Nikah.” Through the blessings of Nikah, Allah Ta’ala will increase the provisions of a person.”
عن عبد الله بن مسعود، قال: التمسوا الغنى في النكاح (تفسير طبري ص166 ج19)
Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam once addressed the youth saying, “O group of young people, “Whoever from amongst you is able to marry, then he should marry, for verily (this is a means) of lowering the gaze and protecting one’s chastity. And whoever is unable to do so (due to not having the financial capacity), then he should fast, as it will be a means of breaking his desires.” [Bukhari / Muslim]
The Hadith of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam encourages the youth to preserve their chastity whereas the Kuffar festival in question is promoting and encouraging the youth to destroy their chastity. Another destructive tool used by the enemies of Islam to destroy the chastity of, not only our youth, but even adults (who have been married for decades), is social media. Although social media definitely comes with some benefit, it seems that social media was primarily created to get the Ummah involved in Haraam relationships. How many wives have become divorcees, and how many children have become ‘orphans’ in spite of their parents being alive, due to the rapid increase of illicit relationships through social media, and particularly, chat groups.
Hadrat Abu Saeed Khudri Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Verily the world is sweet and lush (which attracts a person to its temporary adornment). And verily Allah Ta’ala has made you His vicegerent in it, thus, He will observe how you carry out deeds in the world. Fear the world and fear women, as the first Fitnah of the Bani Isra’eel was in women.” [Muslim Pg.89 Vol.8]
Yet in another narration, Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “I have not left after (my departure from this world) a Fitnah in the people which is more harmful upon men, than (the Fitnah of) women.” [Muslim Pg.89 Vol.8]
Hassan Basri Rahimahullah states, “When (the luxuries and comforts of the world) were made available and spread out for the Bani Isra’eel, then they boasted and vied with each other in jewellery, perfume, women and clothing. [Re:- Dhammud Dunya Pg. 21 Vol.1]
This is further corroborated in Surah Alaq (Verses 6 and 7) wherein Allah Ta’ala states, “It is a fact that man is rebellious, because he considers himself to be independent.”
Imaam Ghazaali Rahimahullah has recorded the advice of Hadrat Luqman Alaihis Salaam to his son where he stated, “Fear an evil woman for verily she will cause you to age before old age actually sets in, and fear evil women for they will not call you towards good. [Re:- Ihyaa Ulumid Deen Page.44 Vol.2]
وفي وصية لقمان لابنه: اتق المرأة السوء فإنها تشيبك قبل الشيب. واتق شرار النساء فإنهن لا يدعون إلى خير
In conclusion, the Quraan Sharif instructs to oppose the way of the Kuffar, in fact we shouldn’t even incline towards their ways. Hence, we should totally disassociate from such celebrations and sincerely repent if we have erred in the past. We have been warned of these Fitnahs and it is now up to us to take lesson, or else, we too, will destroy ourselves if we are heedless. Also, nowadays, many western institutes inform their learners that their parent could be a “valentine” or some parents refer to their children as their “valentine”, whereas the reality of the celebration will not change due to such practices. We are required to totally remove the concept of “valentine’s” from our lives.
May Allah Ta’ala save us, our families and the Ummah at large. Ameen!