A Jaahili (from the ignorant) Roman festival celebrated by the pagan Romans more than 17 centuries ago, this festival has continued to be celebrated until after the Romans became Christians. The Romans used to celebrate this festival in the mid of February each year. This is none other than “Valentine Day” also known as “St.Valentine’s Day”, in which so called “lovers” express their love with greeting and gifts.
This festival has many origins. In the 3rd century, the Roman emperor, Claudius II decreed that the soldiers should not get married because if they do so it would distract them from the wars they fought. On the other hand, Saint Valentine opposed this and performed marriages in secret. Surprisingly, Emperor found out and sent Saint Valentine to jail, and sentenced him to execution. In prison Saint Valentine fell in love with the Emperor’s daughter secretly. Anyways, he was executed on 14th February 270 CE.
There is a belief about this festival that when girls used to reach marriageable age their names were written on a paper and was placed in a dish on a table. Then young men who wanted to marry, would pick up a chit and whichever girls’ name would be written on it would be living with that man for one year before deciding to get married or not, this would depend if those two got along well or not. If not, then this process would be repeated the next year. It’s like a revival of love. Due to it having an evil and corrupting influence on young men and women, it was abolished in Christianity but later appeared again, as books were published regarding it and it became well known amongst the people as “The Day of Love”
Al-Haafiz Al-Dhahabi (May Allah 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 their religion or their direction of Prayer.”
(Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, al-Hikmah 4/193)
Please understand my Brothers and Sisters in Islam, this festival has no good in it and has alot of evil that it promotes. This festival is not acceptable in Islam. This is not the day of pure love, rather it is the day of romantic love between boyfriends and girlfriends, which is prohibited in Islam. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ)’s help is sought from such derailing thoughts!
My Brothers and Sisters in Islam, this festival is an innovation in Islam and a festival of calling people to commit evil and haram. It invites to zina, wasting time, singing, music, extravagance, unveiling, men and women mixing- all which leads to immorality.
Basically, it is a day of expressing love for someone and Islam does not fix a day of doing so nor does it call it a festival. Islam does not fix a day for loving someone even if it is a halal relationship.
It is narrated by Ayesha (RadiAllahu Anha) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ
“Whoever innovates something in matters of ours (i.e Islam), which is not a part of it, will have it rejected.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 14)
And the Prophet ﷺ also said:
مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ
“Whoever imitates a nation is one of them.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4031)
So my Brothers and Sisters in Islam, Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) can raise you on Yaum ul Qiyamah (Day of Judgement) with those who you are imitating in this world.
One may think, is Islam against the concept of love? The answer is a clear ‘No’. Firstly, those who are sincere in their love of their wives, do not wait for 14th February in order to express their love to them. Rather, they do it throughout the year. They do not need a specific day to express their love. What kind of a love is it anyways that is only expressed once a year?
Secondly, no religion encourages us to love and care for another more than Islam does. In fact, it is encouraged to express love and care at all times whenever we meet. The Prophet ﷺ said: “ If a man loves his brother let him tell him that he loves him.” (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi) And he ﷺ also 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.” (Muslim)
Lastly and most importantly, the ultimate love is not between two people. Love is a comprehensive term which encompasses the love of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), the Messenger ﷺ, love for the good and righteous people, love for martyrdom, love for the sake of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and love for the religion. The list is endless.
To conclude, I would say that celebrating Valentine’s Day or any other day like of it is not permissible in Islam. If you love someone (in a permissible way), your love ought to be all year long and not once a year. May Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) guide us all to the Straight Path and teach us all that will benefit us and benefit us with what He has taught us. Aameen. And Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) knows best.
