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Islamic Rulings -
Living Shariah Verdicts
Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, and
blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and
upon all his family and companions. 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.
Saint Valentine is a name which is given to two of the
ancient "martyrs" of the Christian Church. It was said
that there were two of them, or that there was only
one, who died in Rome as the result of the persecution
of the Gothic leader Claudius, c. 296 CE. In 350 CE, a
church was built in Rome on the site of the place
where he died, to perpetuate his memory.
When the Romans embraced Christianity, they continued
to celebrate the Feast of Love mentioned above, but
they changed it from the pagan concept of "spiritual
love" to another concept known as the "martyrs of
love", represented by Saint Valentine who had
advocated love and peace, for which cause he was
martyred, according to their claims. It was also
called the Feast of Lovers, and Saint Valentine was
considered to be the patron saint of lovers.
One of their false beliefs connected with this
festival was that the names of girls who had reached
marriageable age would be written on small rolls of
paper and placed in a dish on a table. Then the young
men who wanted to get married would be called, and
each of them would pick a piece of paper. He would put
himself at the service of the girl whose name he had
drawn for one year, so that they could find out about
one another. Then they would get married, or they
would repeat the same process again on the day of the
festival in the following year.
The Christian clergy reacted against this tradition,
which they considered to have a corrupting influence
on the morals of young men and women. It was abolished
in Italy, where it had been well-known, then it was
revived in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries,
when in some western countries there appeared shops
which sold small books called "Valentine's books",
which contained love poems, from which the one who
wanted to send a greeting to his sweetheart could
choose. They also contained suggestions for writing
love letters.
It was also said concerning the origins of this
holiday that when the Romans became Christian, after
Christianity had become widespread, the Roman emperor
Claudius II decreed in the third century CE that
soldiers should not get married, because marriage
would distract them from the wars they used to fight.
This decree was opposed by Saint Valentine, who
started to perform marriages for the soldiers in
secret. When the emperor found out about that, he
threw him in jail and sentenced him to execution. In
prison, he (Saint Valentine) fell in love with the
jailer's daughter, but this was a secret because
according to Christian laws, priests and monks were
forbidden to marry or fall in love. But he is still
regarded highly by the Christians because of his
steadfastness in adhering to Christianity when the
emperor offered to pardon him if he forsook
Christianity and worshipped the Roman gods; then he
would be one of his closest confidantes and he would
make him his son-in-law. But Valentine refused this
offer and preferred Christianity, so he was executed
on 14 February 270 CE, on the eve of February 15, the
festival of Lupercalis. So this day was named for this
saint.
In The Story of Civilization, it says that the
Church devised a calendar in which every day was
designated as the feast day of one of the saints. In
England, Saint Valentine's Day was to come at the end
of winter. When that day came, according to them, the
birds mated enthusiastically in the forests, and the
young men would put flowers on the windowsills of the
homes of the girls whom they loved. (The Story of
Civilization by Will Durant, 15/23) The Pope designated the day of the death of Saint Valentine, February 14, 270 CE, as a festival of love. Who is the Pope? He is the "the archbishop, the supreme pontiff of the universal church, the successor of Saint Peter." Look at this "archbishop" and how he prescribed for them the observance of this festival which was an innovation in their religion. This reminds us of what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and
their monks to be their lords besides Allaah (by
obeying them in things which they made lawful or
unlawful according to their own desires without being
ordered by Allaah)…"[al-Tawbah 9:31]
It was narrated that ‘Adiy ibn Haatim said: "I came to
the Prophet
(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) wearing a gold cross
around my neck. He said, ‘O ‘Adiy, cast aside this
idol.' And I heard him reciting from Soorat
Baraa'ah [al-Tawbah] (interpretation of the
meaning): ‘They (Jews and Christians) took their
rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides
Allaah.' He said: ‘They do not worship them, but
when they permit them something they accept it as
permitted, and when they forbid them something they
accept it as forbidden.'" (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and
it is a hasan hadeeth).
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.
Imitation causes defects in the Muslim personality,
such as feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, weakness
and defeatism, then it leads to shunning and keeping
away from the path and laws of Allaah. Experience has
shown that admiration for the kuffaar and imitation of
them causes people to love them, have complete faith
in them and take them as friends and helpers, and to
reject Islam and its people, its heroes, its legacy
and values, and become ignorant of all of that.
3.
The purpose of Valentine's Day in these times
is to spread love between all people, believers and
disbelievers alike. Undoubtedly it is haraam to love
the kaafirs. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who
believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship
with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger
(Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or
their sons or their brothers or their kindred
(people)…"[al-Mujaadilah 58:22]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on
him) said: "Allaah tells us that there is no believer
who takes a kaafir as a close friend. Whoever takes a
kaafir as a close friend is not a believer. Outward
imitation may be taken as a sign of love, so it is
haraam." (al-Iqtidaa', 1/490).
4.
The love referred to in this festival ever
since the Christians revived it is romantic love
outside the framework of marriage. The result of that
is the spread of zinaa (fornication and
adultery) and immorality. Hence the Christian clergy
opposed it at some stage and abolished it, then it
came back again.
Most of the young people celebrate it because it lets
them fulfil their desires, without thinking of the
issues of imitation and resembling that are involved.
Look at this tragedy, where they go so far as to
commit major sins such as zinaa and the like,
by imitating the Christians in something which is part
of their worship and which may even be kufr. Some people may wonder, and say, you mean to
deprive us of love, but in this day and age we express
our feelings and emotions – what is so wrong with
that?
We say: Firstly:
It is a mistake to confuse what they call the day with
what the real intentions are behind it. The love
referred to on this day is romantic love, taking
mistresses and lovers, boyfriends and girlfriends. It
is known to be a day of promiscuity and sex for them,
with no restraints or restrictions… They are not
talking of pure love between a man and his wife or a
woman and her husband, or at least they do not
distinguish between the legitimate love in the
relationship between husband and wife, and the
forbidden love of mistresses and lovers. This festival
for them is a means for everyone to express love. Secondly:
Expression of feelings and emotions is not a
justification for the Muslim to allocate a day for
celebration based on his own thoughts and ideas, and
to call it a festival, or make it like a festival or
Eid. So how about when it is one of the festivals of
the kuffaar?
In Islam, a husband loves his wife throughout the
year, and he expresses that love towards her with
gifts, in verse and in prose, in letters and in other
ways, throughout the years – not just on one day of
the year. Thirdly:
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. Indeed, Islam
encourages us to express our emotions and love at all
times, as the Prophet
(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "If a man loves
his brother, let him tell him that he loves him."
(narrated by Abu Dawood, 5124; al-Tirmidhi, 2329; it
is saheeh).
And he said: "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you
will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and
you will not truly believe until you love one
another. Shall I not tell you of something that, if
you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the
greeting of) salaam amongst yourselves."
(Narrated by Muslim, 54) Fourthly:
Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive;
it is not restricted only to one kind of love, that
between a man and a woman. There are many more kinds
of love. There is the love of Allaah, love of His
Messenger
(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions
(may Allaah be pleased with them), love for good and
righteous people, love and support for the religion,
love of martyrdom for the sake of Allaah. There are
many kinds of love. It is a dangerous mistake to
restrict this broad meaning to this one kind of love. Fifthly:
What these people think, that love before marriage is
a good thing, is wrong, as has been proven in studies
and by real-life experience. In a study conducted by
the University of Cairo, on what they called "love
marriage" and "traditional marriage", the following
was stated:
In marriages which came after a love story, 88% of
cases ended in failure, i.e., the success rate was not
more than 12%. But in cases of what the study calls
traditional marriage, 70% were successful. In other
words, the success rate in marriages described as
traditional was six times more than those described as
"love marriages". (Risaalah ila Mu'minah, p.
255).
Now let us look at the state of affairs in western
societies where Valentine's Day is celebrated, and
ask, what is the state of marriage relationships in
those societies, and do these celebrations have any
positive effect on interactions between husbands and
wives?
Their own studies and statistics show the following:
1-
In an American study done in 1407 AH/1987 CE,
it states that 79% of men beat their womenfolk,
especially if they are married…! (al-Qabas
newspaper, 15/2/1988).
2-
A study carried out by the National American
Office for Mental Health states the following:
-
17% of women who go to emergency rooms are
victims of beatings by their husbands or boyfriends.
-
83% of those who have previously been admitted
to hospital at least once for treatment of injuries,
were admitted as a result of beating.
The study added that there are more women who do not
go to hospital for treatment, but deal with their
injuries at home.
3-
In a report of the Central American Agency for
Examination [FPT] it states that every 18 seconds
there is a woman who is beaten by her husband
somewhere in America.
4-
American Time magazine stated that
around 4,000 wives out of approximately 6 million who
are beaten die as a result of that beating.
5-
In a German study it said that no less that
100,000 women annually are exposed to acts of physical
or psychological abuse on the part of their husbands
or the men they live with. The real figure may exceed
one million.
6-
In France, approximately 2 million women face
beatings.
7-
In Britain, in an opinion poll in which 7,000
women took part, 28% of them said that they had been
subjected to attacks by their husbands and
boyfriends.
So how can we believe that Valentine's Day is of any
benefit to married couples? The truth is that it is a
call for more permissiveness and immorality, and the
forming of forbidden relationships.
The husband who sincerely loves his wife does not need
this holiday to remind him of his love. He expresses
his love for his wife at all times and on all
occasions. The Muslim's attitude towards
Valentine's Day
From the above discussion, the Muslim's attitude
towards this holiday should be clear:
(1)
He should not celebrate it, or join others in
their celebrations of it, or attend their
celebrations, because of the evidence quoted above
which shows that it is forbidden to celebrate the
festivals of the kuffaar.
Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said: "If the Christians have a festival and the Jews
have a festival, which belongs only to them, then the
Muslim should not join them in that, just as he does
not join them in their religion or their direction of
prayer." (Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees,
al-Hikmah magazine, 4/193).
Because one of the basic principles of the pious
predecessors was al-walaa' wa'l-baraa' (loyalty
and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity), it is
obligatory for everyone who says Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah
Muhammad Rasool Allaah to follow this
principle. So he should love the believers and he
should hate the disbelievers, oppose them, and be
different from them. He should know that that will
bring immeasurable benefits, just as imitating them
causes far greater harm. In addition to that, when the
Muslims imitate them it makes the kuffaar happy and
fills their hearts with joy, and it leads the Muslims
to love the kuffaar in their hearts. If any Muslim
girl who celebrates this holiday because she sees
Margaret or Hilary or whoever doing so, this
undoubtedly reflects the fact that she is following
them and approves of their behaviour. But Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): "O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the
Christians as Awliyaa' (friends, protectors, helpers),
they are but Awliyaa' of each other. And if any
amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa'), then surely, he
is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people
who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and
unjust)"[al-Maa'idah 5:51]
One of the bad effects of imitating them is that this
makes it look as if there are more of them, as if they
have more supporters and followers. How can it be
appropriate for a Muslim who recites in every rak'ah,
"Guide us to the Straight Way, The way of those on
whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the
way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of
those who went astray" [al-Faatihah 1:6-7 –
interpretation of the meaning], to ask Allaah for
guidance to the Straight Path of the believers and to
keep him away from the path of those who have earned
His anger and of those who went astray, then go and
follow their path by choice and willingly?
Statistics indicate that Valentine's Day is second
only to Christmas in popularity. So it is clear that
the Feast of Love is one of the festivals of the
Christians and that it is second only to the festival
of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the
Messiah. So it is not permissible for Muslims to join
in the celebrations of this date, because we are
commanded to differ from them in their religion,
customs and other things that belong exclusively to
them, as is stated in the Qur'aan and Sunnah and
scholarly consensus.
(2)
He should not help the kuffaar in their
celebrations, because it is one of the rituals of kufr,
so helping them and approving of what they do is
helping them to manifest kufr and make it prevail, and
approving of it. The Muslim's religion does not allow
him to approve of kufr or help others to manifest it
and make it prevail. Hence Shaykh al-Islam Ibn
Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "It is
not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in
anything that is specifically part of their festivals,
whether it is food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires,
or changing a custom of daily life or worship… To sum
up, they should not do any of the specific rituals of
their (the kuffaar's) festival on that day;
rather the day of their festival should be just
another ordinary day for the Muslim." (Majmoo' al-Fataawa,
25/329)
(3)
He should not help any Muslims who celebrate
it. Rather it is obligatory to denounce them, because
for the Muslims to celebrate the festivals of the
kuffaar is an evil action which must be denounced.
Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: "Just as we
should not imitate them in their festivals, so too we
should not help a Muslim to do that; rather he should
be told not to do that." (al-Iqtidaa',
2/519-520) Based on what Ibn Taymiyah said, it is not
permissible for Muslim businessmen to deal in gifts
for Valentine's Day, whether they are particular kinds
of clothes, red roses, or whatever. Similarly, it is
not permissible for the one who is given a gift on
this occasion to accept it, because by accepting it,
he is showing approval of this holiday.
One of the daa'iyahs said: we went to a flower
shop in one of the Muslim countries and we were
shocked to find it completely prepared for this
occasion, with red carpets at the entrance, red
placards and red decorations. We were met by one of
the people who worked there, and we asked him why they
had done so much to decorate the place for this
occasion. He said that these preparations had begun
early, and that there had been very many orders… Then
he told us that he had been amazed by that, because he
was a new Muslim who had left Christianity. He had
known about that before he became Muslim, so how come
his customers were Muslims and not Christians?!
Other shops ran out of red roses, which were being
sold at high prices. When one of the female daa'iyahs
entered upon the female students who were gathered in
the lecture hall, she was dismayed to find them all
carrying something red. One had a red rose, another
had a red scarf, or a red handkerchief, or a red bag,
or red socks…
Alas for the Muslim girls! Among the things that have been seen among the Muslims on this holiday:
1-
All the female students agreeing with their
friends to tie a red ribbon on the right wrist.
2-
Wearing something red (a blouse, hair clip,
shoes…). This reached such an extent last year that
when we entered the classroom we found most of the
students wearing it, as if it was a uniform.
3-
Red balloons on which are written the words "I
love you". They usually bring these out at the end of
the school day, in an area far from where the teachers
can see them.
4-
Writing names and hearts on their hands, or
just initials.
5-
Red roses are widespread on this day.
Groups of girls entered their lecture rooms on
February 14, each of them wearing something red, with
red heart-shaped stickers on their faces, wearing red
make-up. They started to exchange red-coloured gifts
and kiss one another warmly. This happened in more
than one university in the Muslim world, even in an
Islamic university. In other words they were
celebrating Saint Valentine's Day.
On that day, secondary schools (high schools) were
astonished by the large numbers of female students who
brought red roses of the finest quality, coloured
their faces with red cosmetics, wore red earrings, and
started to exchange gifts and warm greetings, in
celebration of this day.
Al-Mawsoo'ah al-‘Arabiyyah (the Arabic
Encyclopaedia) says that there are special customs for
Valentine's Day, such as printing love poems on cards
to be given to relatives and those whom one loves.
Some of them draw funny pictures on these cards, and
the most common phrase written on them is "be my
Valentine". Parties are often held during the day,
where they dance in their fashion. The Europeans still
celebrate this holiday. In Britain, sales of flowers
reached 22 million pounds. More chocolate is consumed
on this day, and companies offer free messages on
their Web sites to advertise those sites.
Valentine's Day has come to a number of Arab and
Muslim countries, and has even reached the heartland
of Islam (the Arabian Peninsula). It has reached
societies which we had thought far removed from this
insanity. In Riyadh the price of roses has risen in a
crazy manner, so that a single rose costs 36 riyals
(10 dollars), whereas before this day it cost 5
riyals. Gift shops and card shops compete in designing
cards and gifts for this occasion, and some families
hang up red roses in the windows of their homes on
this day.
In some of the Gulf countries, shopping centres and
hotels have organized special celebrations of
Valentine's Day. Most of the stores and business
places are covered with red. One of the finest Gulf
hotels was full of balloons and dolls. Following the
customs of the Feast of Love and the pagan myths, the
restaurant put on a dramatic production with "Cupid",
the idol of love in the Roman myths, nearly naked and
carrying a bow and arrow. He and his cohorts were
looking to select "Mr. & Mrs. Valentine" from among
the people present.
Less expensive restaurants also celebrated this day in
their own way. Some stores replaced their regular
plates with heart-shaped plates, used red tablecloths
and linens, and put a red rose on each table for the
man to present to his beloved.
The latest Valentine's Day craze was started by the
owner of a gift-shop in Kuwait. He imports (live)
French rabbits which are small and have red eyes. He
puts a necktie around the neck of each rabbit, and
puts it in a small box to be given as a gift!
We must oppose these things by all possible means. The
responsibility rests with us all.
(4)
We should not accept congratulations on
Valentine's Day, because it is not a holiday or an Eid
for the Muslims. If the Muslim is congratulated on
this occasion, he should not return the
congratulations. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy
on him) said: "With regard to congratulating others
with the congratulations used by the kuffaar on such
occasions, it is haraam by scholarly consensus, such
as congratulating them on the occasion of their
festivals or fasts, wishing them a blessed festival,
etc. Even if the one who says this is free of kufr, it
is still haraam. It is like congratulating someone for
prostrating to the cross. It is even worse with Allaah
and more hated by Him than congratulating someone for
drinking alcohol, or committing murder or adultery,
etc. Many of those who have no respect for religion do
that, and they do not realize the abhorrence of their
actions. Whoever congratulates a person for sin,
innovation (bid'ah) or kufr exposes himself to the
hatred and wrath of Allaah." (Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah,
1/441-442)
(5)
We must explain the true nature of this holiday
and other festivals of the kuffaar to those Muslims
who have been deceived by them, and explain to them
that it is essential for the Muslim to be
distinguished by his religion and to protect his
belief (‘aqeedah) from anything that may damage
it. This should be done out of sincerity towards the
ummah and in fulfilment of the command to enjoin what
is good and forbid what is evil. Fatwas of Muslim scholars concerning Valentine's
Day The Fatwa of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen
(may Allaah have mercy on him)
Question:
In recent times the celebration of Valentine's Day has
become widespread, especially among female students.
This is one of the Christian holidays. They wear all
red clothes, including their shoes, and they exchange
red flowers… We hope that you can tell us the ruling
on celebrating such holidays. What do you advise the
Muslims to do with regard to such things? May Allaah
keep you and take care of you.
He replied:
Celebrating Valentine's Day is not permitted for
several reasons:
1 – It is an innovated celebration which has no basis
in sharee'ah.
2 – It calls for people to keep their hearts and minds
busy with these foolish things that go against the
guidance of the pious predecessors (may Allaah be
pleased with them), so it is not permitted on this day
to do any of the customs associated with that holiday,
whether that be connected to food, drink, clothing,
exchanging gifts or anything else. The Muslim should
be proud of his religion and not be so weak of
character that he follows everyone who makes a noise.
I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all
temptations, visible and invisible, and to take care
of us and give us strength. And Allaah knows best. The Fatwa of Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan
ibn Jibreen concerning celebrating this day
He was asked: the celebration of the so-called Feast
of Love (Valentine's Day) has become widespread among
our boys and girls. This (Valentine) is the name of a
saint who is venerated by the Christians, and this day
is celebrated every year on February 14. They exchange
gifts and red roses, and they wear red clothes. What
is the ruling on celebrating this day, or exchanging
gifts on this day? May Allaah reward you with good.
He answered:
Firstly, it is not permissible to celebrate such
innovated festivals, because this is a newly-invented
innovation (bid'ah) which has no basis in sharee'ah.
So it is included in the hadeeth of ‘Aa'ishah (may
Allaah be pleased with her), who said that the Prophet
(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever
innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e.,
Islam) which is not part of it, will have it rejected"
– i.e., it will be thrown back upon the one who
innovated it.
Secondly, this involves imitating and resembling the
kuffaar in venerating that which they venerate and
respecting their festivals and holidays, and imitating
them in some of their religious practices. In the
hadeeth it says, "Whoever imitates a people is one of
them."
Thirdly, the things that result from that, such as
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 haraam, or are means
which lead to immorality. So it should not be
justified as an excuse for relaxation and
entertainment, or claims that they will not overstep
the mark, because that is not right. The one who
cares about himself should keep away from sin and all
that leads to it.
On this basis, it is not permissible to sell these
gifts and roses, if one knows that the purchaser will
celebrate these holidays, give them as gifts or
otherwise use them to honour these days, so that the
vendor will not be sharing in the guilt of the one who
does this innovated action. And Allaah knows best. The Fatwa of the Standing Committee
The Standing Committee was also asked a question about
this holiday:
Some people celebrate the fourteenth day of February
of each Christian year as the Day of Love (Valentine's
Day), where they exchange gifts of red roses and wear
red clothes, and congratulate one another. Some the
bakeries make sweets that are red in colour, with
hearts drawn on them, and some stores have
advertisements for their products that are especially
for this day. What is your opinion? The Committee replied:
It is haraam for the Muslim to help with this festival
or any other haraam celebration in any way, be it
food, drink, buying, selling, manufacturing,
corresponding, advertising or in any other way,
because all of that constitutes helping one another in
sin, transgression and disobedience towards Allaah and
His Messenger, and Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning): "Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa
(virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one
another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah.
Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment"[al-Maa'idah
5:2]
So the Muslim must adhere to the Qur'aan and Sunnah in
all his affairs, especially at times of fitan
(temptation and tribulation) and when corruption is
widespread. He should be smart and be careful to avoid
falling into the misguidance of those who have earned
the anger of Allaah and of those who went astray, and
of the evildoers who hope not for reward from Allaah
and do not show any respect towards Islam. The Muslim
should seek refuge with Allaah and ask for His
guidance and for help to adhere steadfastly to it,
because none can guide except Allaah and none can make
us remain steadfast except Him. And Allaah is the
Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet
Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them
peace.
Al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyah
wa'l-Iftaa'
Finally, we offer our brothers the following advice:
1 – They should urge the khateebs of the mosques to
tell the people and warn them. They should explain
this matter to the imaam of the mosque and tell him
when this day is approaching. They should give him a
copy of the fatwas of the Standing Committee and of
Shaykh Muhamamd ibn Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah
forgive him). Every person should make the effort to
contact the imaam of his mosque and tell him about
this. Certainly there are imaams of mosques among the
brothers so perhaps the responsibility of telling them
about this will be discharged when they read this
article.
2 – Every teacher should explain the reality of this
holiday and warn his or her students about it. They
will be answerable before Allaah tomorrow. They should
explain that it is haraam by quoting the Fatwaa of the
Standing Committee. All that should begin a week
beforehand in order to be of any benefit.
3 – Those who go around and check on people and the
headquarters of organizations should be notified of
any shops which are selling gifts for this day or
which put up pictures showing what the gift is or how
it is wrapped.
4 – Each person should make his family members aware
of this. Whoever has sisters in school or brothers
should tell them and warn them about this matter,
because many people are unaware of this holiday and
what it means. We ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from the harm of temptations and from the evil of their own selves and the plots of their enemies, for He is the All-hearing Who answers prayers. May Allaah send blessings upon His slave and Messenger Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions. |
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