Sunday, February 14, 2010

Valentines Day- The Islamic Perspective

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: This festival became connected with the sa in t known as Valent in e who was sentenced to death on 14 February 270 CE. The kuffaar still celebrate this festival, dur in g which immorality and evil are practised widely.

Secondly: It is not permissible for a Muslim to celebrate any of the festivals of the kuffaar, because festivals come under the head in g of shar’i issues which are to be based on the sound texts. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Festivals are part of sharee’ah, clear way and rituals of which Allaah says ( in terpretation of the mean in g):

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

“For every nation We have orda in ed religious ceremonies which they must follow” [al-Hajj 22:67]

Jo in in g in fully with the festival is jo in in g in with kufr, and jo in in g in with some of its m in or issues is jo in in g in with some of the branches of kufr. Indeed, festivals are one of the most unique features that dist in guish various religions and among their most prom in ent symbols, so jo in in g in with them is jo in in g in with the most characteristic and prom in ent symbols of kufr. No doubt jo in in g in with this may lead to complete kufr.

He also said (may Allaah have mercy on him): It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in anyth in g that is uniquely a part of their festivals, whether it be food, cloth in g, bath in g, light in g fires, refra in in g from a regular habit, do in g acts of worship or anyth in g else. It is not permissible to give a feast or to give gifts, or to sell anyth in g that will help them to do that for that purpose, or to allow children and others to play games that are part of the festivals, or to wear one’s adornments.

To conclude: the Mulsims should not do any of their rituals at the time of their festivals; rather the day of their festival should be like any other day for the Muslims. The Muslims should not do anyth in g specific in imitation of them. End quote from Majmoo al-Fataawa (25/329).

Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the Christians have a festival, and the Jews have a festival, it is only for them, so no Muslim should jo in them in that,just as no Muslim should jo in them in their religion or their direction of prayer. End quote from Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, published in Majallat al-Hikmah (4/193)

Festivals are among the characteristics by which nations are dist in guished, and it is not permissible to celebrate the festivals of the ignorant and the mushrikeen (polytheists).

The scholars have issued fatwas stat in g that it is haraam to celebrate Valent in e’s Day.

1 –Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

Celebrat in g Valent in e’s Day is not permissible for a number of reasons.

It is an in novated festival for which there is no basis in Islam, it promotes love and in fatuation, it calls for hearts to be preoccupied with foolish matters that are contrary to the way of the righteous salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them).

It is not permissible on this day to do any of the th in gs that are characteristic of this festival, whether that has to do with food, dr in ks, cloth in g, exchang in g gifts or anyth in g else.

The Muslim should be proud of his religion and should not be a weak character. I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and in visible, and to protect us and guide us. End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (16/199)

2 – The Stand in g Committee was asked about celebration of Valent in e’s Day on the fourteenth of February every year.

The clear evidence of the Qur’aan and Sunnah – and the consensus of the early generations of this ummah – in dicates that there are only two festivals in Islam: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Any other festivals that have to do with a person, a group, an event or anyth in g else are in novated festivals, which it is not permissible for Muslims to observe, approve of or express joy on those occasions, or to help others to celebrate them in any way, because that is transgress in g the sacred limits of Allaah, and whoever transgresses the sacred limits of Allaah has wronged himself. If the fabricated festival is also a festival of the kuffaar, then the s in is even greater, because this is imitat in g them and it is a k in d of tak in g them as close friends, and Allaah has forbidden the believers to imitate them and take them as close friends in His Holy Book. And it is proven that the Prophet (peace and bless in gs of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Valent in e’s Day comes under this head in g because it is an idolatrous Christian festival, so it is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to observe it or approve of it or congratulate people on it. Rather he has to ignore it and avoid it, in obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, and so as to keep away from the causes that in cur the wrath and punishment of Allaah. It is also haraam for the Muslim to help people to celebrate this or any other haraam festival by supply in g any k in d of food or dr in k, or buy in g or sell in g or manufactur in g or giv in g or advertis in g etc., because all of that is cooperat in g in s in and transgression and is disobedience towards Allaah and His Messenger (peace and bless in gs of Allaah be upon him). Allaah says ( in terpretation of the mean in g):

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in s in and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]

The Muslim must adhere to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah in all his affairs, especially at times of fitnah when evil is widespread. He should be smart and avoid fall in g in to the misguidance of those who have earned Allaah’s anger and who have gone astray, and the evildoers who have no fear of Allaah and who do not have any pride in be in g Muslims. The Muslim must turn to Allaah and seek His guidance and rema in steadfast in follow in g it, for there is no Guide except Allaah and no one can make a person steadfast but Him. And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send bless in gs and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

And Allaah knows best.

Source: www.islamqa.com

Also see:

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1265700459149&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam/DIELayout

No comments: