Why should we NOT celebrate Valentines Day?

Musalman · February 14, 2001, 11:05pm

Muslims are advised to distinguish themselves in their external appearance adopting Islamic ways and methods in all their affairs, whether worldly or Deeni. By this, it is meant that Muslims are recognized and identified by a single religious culture or code, which is purely Islamic. Islam prohibits adoption of the ways and appearance of other beliefs, cultures, customs and nations. Therefore it is very essential that Muslims guard themselves against assimilation into other non-Muslim cultures. The external appearances of Muslims may be classified under the following points:

Acts that eliminate a Muslim’s identity which are obviously Haraam even if they are not the special characteristic of other communities such as wearing shorts (thus exposing the satr), etc. are forbidden. Acts that are prohibited to imitate because it is alien to a nation or community. For example, to eat sitting at tables with knives and forks. This manner of eating is contrary to the Sunnah. Similarly, ways adopted from the non-Muslims that are of religious significance like wearing the cross, celebrating Valentines day, Halloween and Christmas etc. would amount to Kufr. Acts that are not exclusive to any particular community. The adoption of such acts will be permissible, like dressing as long as the satr is covered. However, this does not apply to a specific religious garb. Acts that have neither religious nor cultural significance. Such things are of real value and benefit even if they are inventions of the non-Muslims; there is nothing wrong in adopting them. For example, transport, technology, communications, weapons and other things of benefit. However, if Muslims have their own equivalent, then they should make use of their own products and not give preference to the products of the non-Muslims. Islam also prohibits Muslims to imitate “Muslims” (Faasiqs and Faajirs) who openly flout the Laws of Allah like shaving the beard (for men). Undermentioned are a few verses of the Holy Qur’an and Ahaadith pertaining to the subject matter:

‘Do not incline to the transgressors for then the Fire will touch you.’ (Surah Hood: 113)
The above ayat sufficiently warns Muslims not to adopt or imitate the culture and customs of the non-Muslims.

Shaitaan said, ‘…I will teach them to ruin the appearance made by Allah…’(Surah Nisaa: 119)
Appearance by virtue of customs is subjected to change with the times and attitudes of people, but this is not so in the Shariah. Shaitaan will always be on the backs' of people to renovate their thinking to live with the times’.

Hadhrat Ibn Umar (RA) reports that Rasulullah (PBUH) said, `Whoever imitates a nation (in its ways and culture)
becomes one of them.’ (Abu Dawood)

By adopting even the appearance of the non-Muslims, that in itself is association with them and is therefore sinful.

Hadhrat Abu Raihaanah (RA) narrates that once Rasulullah (PBUH) prohibited ten things. Among these ten things
prohibited was to line garments with silk in the style of the non-Muslims (of that time). (Abu Dawood, Nisaai)

Hadhrat Hajjaj Bin Hassaan (RA) narrates: "We went to meet Hadhrat Anas (RA) (a prominent Sahaabi; on this occasion Hajjaj was a little boy). My sister Mugheera told me that at that time I was a little kid and I had two plaits on my head. Hadhrat Anas (RA) rubbed his hand over my head, made Dua for barakat and said: ‘Cut off these plaits because this is the style of the Jews.’ (Abu Dawood)

Hadhrat Aamir Bin Sa’d (RA) narrating from his father says that Rasulullah (PBUH) said: “Maintain clean the area in front of your houses and do not imitate the Jews.”(Tirmizi)

Hadhrat Ali (RA) narrates that once Rasulullah (PBUH) had an Arabian crossbow in his hand. On this occasion
Rasulullah (PBUH) saw a crossbow of Persian origin in the hands of a Muslim. Rasulullah (PBUH) commented: “Throw it (the Persian bow) away and take one like this (Arabian bow)…”(Ibn Majah)

Hadhrat Huzaifah (RA) narrates that Rasulullah (PBUH) said: “Recite the Qur’an in Arabic style and tone (i.e.
correct and with simplicity) and refrain from the style and tone of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians…)” (Baihaqi)

Rasulullah (PBUH) went to great lengths disapproving the imitation of non-Muslims even in the recitation of the Noble Qur’an as mentioned in the last Hadith (above). Hence nations that do not follow the Shariah should not be imitated. Therefore any act, be it the celebration of a particular community that may or may not necessary be religious, but merely associated to their “way of rejoicing” falls under the same banner - imitating the non-Muslims, and certainly ** Valentines day ** fall under this category.

[This message has been edited by Musalman (edited February 14, 2001).]

system · February 15, 2001, 5:38pm

From my own understanding there is difference between religion and culture.If something is adopted from religion i.e like the cross,chritmas,easter. then u r right it is forbidden to bring these things into islam.But culture(not sure if iam using the right word)like sports,cars,jewellery,clothing,food(which r not haram e.g chips) surely these are not haram for.Yeah if you say it is haram to eat with knives and forks where is the proof(it is sunnah to eat with ones hand )

[This message has been edited by mean machine naseem (edited February 15, 2001).]

Tariq5 · February 15, 2001, 7:16pm

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[This message has been edited by Admin (edited February 15, 2001).]

Musalman · February 16, 2001, 12:46am

[quote]
Originally posted by mean machine naseem:
From my own understanding there is difference between religion and culture.If something is adopted from religion i.e like the cross,chritmas,easter. then u r right it is forbidden to bring these things into islam.But culture(not sure if iam using the right word)like sports,cars,jewellery,clothing,food(which r not haram e.g chips) surely these are not haram for.Yeah if you say it is haram to eat with knives and forks where is the proof(it is sunnah to eat with ones hand )
[/quote]

My dear brother mmn following Hadeeth from Saheeh Bukhari should be good enough proof that Prophet (PBUH) never ate on a table:

Saheeh Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 65, Number 298:
Narrated Anas:
To the best of my knowledge, the Prophet did not take his meals in a big tray at all, nor did he ever eat well-baked thin bread, nor did he ever eat at a dining table.

Saheeh Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 65, Number 326:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet never took his meals at a dining table, nor in small plates, and he never ate thin well-baked bread. (The sub-narrator asked Qatada, "Over what did they use to take their meals?" Qatada said, "On leather dining sheets."

Saheeh Bukahari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 457:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet did not eat at a table till he died, and he did not eat a thin nicely baked wheat bread till he died.

What is meant by the statement ** QUOTE >>to eat sitting at tables with knives and forks<< UNQUOTE ** is referring to a specific manner/style of eating which is contrary to the Sunnah of Prophet (PBUH). The emphasis is on the manner or style of eating as combined and not to eating with fork and knives. Islam has not given any particular instructions in this respect. Islam has not directed its followers to eat food with the hand or with a spoon. It has directed them only to observe cleanliness.

However, Islam has said that to lose one's identity is forbidden. To be over-awed needlessly by others is forbidden. Mimicry is forbidden. To be merged with others is forbidden. To be charmed by others, is forbidden. To import their perversion and immorality, in the name of a phenomenon of the 20th century, is forbidden. To believe that the Muslims should be westernized internally and externally, physically and spiritually, is forbidden. To go to a Western country for a few days and on returning, to start pronouncing our own words in their way is forbidden.

And Allah (SWT) knows best.

Jazak Allah Khair.

[This message has been edited by Musalman (edited February 15, 2001).]

arai · February 17, 2001, 11:26am

Without referring to religion.

My views on Valentines day is as follows.

It's a capitalistic day created by the corps to increase revenue in the greeting card sector. It's also statistically known to bring the second greatest revenue on holidays after Christmas. Yes, St.Valentine was a real person, but the whole story behind that has been changed.
You should love your loved one everyday, and it shouldn't be any SPECIAL on a certain day. That's just common sense, why hold FEB 14 as a SPECIAL DAY TO LOVE PEOPLE? That's just ridiculous, you love your boyfriend, your girlfrined, family, friends, etc everyday.
CUPID looks stupid, and he has no right shooting my arse with arrows. I have rights over my own arse, and noone has a right to violate that.

Arai