In a hadeeth narrated by Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W 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 Allah, (do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
Yes, it is that time of the year again. With the scent of alluring red roses, shops filled with mouth-watering heart-shaped chocolates and public display of affection. Love is in the air. Every 14th of February, throughout the world, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of Saint Valentine. These days, Valentine’s Day, which originates from the West, is even celebrated by the Muslims. But do we know who this ‘patron saint of love’ is? What about the history behind Valentine’s Day celebration?
Valentine’s Day as we know it today, actually contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. In ancient Rome, it was first celebrated as the fertility festival, seventeen centuries ago. In the legend, the festival involves a sacrificial ceremony of a goat-to represent fertility and a dog-for purification. The goat’s hide is then used on the womenfolk and crop fields to bring them fertility for the coming year. Later in the day, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn and the city’s bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn. They would then be bound in pre-marital pairing for the year.
When the Roman embraced Christianity, it was said that the Christian church decided to ‘christianize’ the festival and this was represented by Saint Valentine who had advocated love and peace, for which cause he was said to be martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. According to another legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is not clear, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.1
Thus, in this 21st century, where expressing one’s emotions, thoughts and religious beliefs are considered to be basic human right, why is it wrong for Muslims to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Firstly, in Islam, we have clearly defined and well established festivals. They are an essential part of our worship and have been prescribed to us by Allah and His Messenger S.A.W. There is no room for ijtihad or personal opinion.
“For every nation, We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow” [al-Hajj (22):67].
In a hadeeth narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, Prophet S.A.W said: “Every nation has its Eid”
This means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. If people of any other religions have a festival which belongs exclusively to them, then Muslim should not celebrate it with them.
Moreover, in Islam, is not permissible to celebrate innovated festivals, because this is a bid’ah (a newly invented innovation) which has no basis in sharee’ah. So, Valentine’s Day is included in the hadeeth of A’ishah r.a, who said that the Prophet S.A.W said: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) which is not part of it, will have it rejected”
In Surah Al-Ma’idah (5):3]: “Today have I perfected your religion for you, and have bestowed upon you the full measure of My blessings, and willed that Islam shall be your Religion”
Since it is complete, there is no need for additions or deletions to the religion. Therefore to introduce some new matter into Islam or to delete/omit something from it is an affront to Allah and the Prophet S.A.W.
Secondly, celebrating Valentine’s Day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans as well as the Christian People of the Book in their imitation of the Romans. For Muslims, imitating the kuffaar is considered haram, whether that imitation is of their worship or of their customs and behaviour.
The Prophet S.A.W said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4021)
Thirdly, the celebration of Valentine’s Day often results in the spread of zinaa (fornication and adultery) and calls for people to keep their hearts and minds busy with foolish things that go against the guidance of the pious predecessors. Partying, idle play, singing, music, insolence, impertinence, unveiling, wanton display, mixing of men and women, and the appearance of women before non-mahrams, etc., are all things which are haram, or are means which lead to immorality. The one who cares about himself should not only avoid, but also all that leads to it.
In essence, 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. Thus, expression of feelings and emotions is not a justification for the Muslim to allocate a day for celebration.
References
- http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day
- Original Source MSM EMSY
