The Origins of Valentine's Day

There are several interpretations as to the origin of Valentine's

Day. Let the romantic in you decide.
The Feast of Lubercus St. Valentine's Day
February 14th Link Suggestions

The Feast of Lubercus

The first interpretation has this celebration originating as a pagan
tradition in the third century. During this time hordes of hungry
wolves roamed outside of Rome where shepherds kept their flocks.
The God Lupercus, was said to watch over the shepherds and their
flocks and keep them from the wolves. Every February the Romans
celebrated a feast called Lupercalia to honor Lupercus so that no
harm would come to the shepherds and their flocks. Also during
Lupercalia, but in honor of the goddess Juno Februata, the names of
young women were put into a box and names were drawn by lot. The
boys and girls who were matched would be considered partners for
the year, which began in March. This celebration continued long after
wolves were a problem to Rome.

St. Valentine's Day

As Christianity became prevalent, priests attempted to replace old

heathen practices. To Christianize the ancient pagan celebration of
the Feast of Lubercus, the church officials changed the name to St.
Valentine's Day. To give the celebration further meaning and
eliminate pagan traditions, priests substituted the drawing of Saints
names for the names of the girls. On St. Valentine's Day the priest
placed saint's names into an urn or box. The young people then drew
a name from the container. In the following year, the youth was
supposed to emulate the life of the saint whose name he had drawn.

By the fourteenth century they reverted back to the use of girl's

names. In the sixteenth century they once again tried to have saintly
valentines but it was as unsuccessful as the first attempt.

While it can't be proved historically, there were seven men named

Valentine who were honored with feasts on February 14th. Of these
men, two stories link incidents that could have given our present day
meaning to St. Valentine's Day.

One of these men named Valentine was a priest during the reign of
Emperor Claudius. Valentine was revered by the young and old, rich
and poor, with people of all walks of life attending his services. At
this time Emperor Claudius was heavily recruiting men to serve as
soldiers for his wars without much success. The men preferred not to
leave their wives, families and sweethearts to fight in foreign lands.
Claudius became angry and declared that no more marriages could be
performed and all engagements were cancelled.

Valentine thought this to be unfair and secretly married several

couples. When Claudius found out, he threw Valentine in prison
where he died. Friends of the priest retrieved his body and buried it
in a churchyard in Rome.

Another version had St. Valentine jailed for helping Christians. While
Valentine was in prison he cured a jailer's daughter of blindness.
Claudius became enraged and had Valentine clubbed and beheaded
on February 14, 269 A.D.

Yet another story claims that Valentine fell in love with the jailer's
daughter and wrote her letters that were signed "From your
Valentine."

All of the seven Valentines eventually evolved into one. In 496 Pope
Gelasius declared the day in honor of St. Valentine. Through the
centuries the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love
messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. Lovers'
quarrels come under his jurisdiction and, naturally, he is the patron
saint of engaged couples and of anyone wishing to marry.

February 14th - The Day the Birds Began to Mate

The Europeans also believed that on February 14th the birds began to
choose their mates. In fact Chaucer, in his "Parlement of Foules,"
wrote: "For this was Seynt Valentine's Day when every foul cometh
ther to choose his mate."

John Donne wrote:

Hail Bishop Valentine! whose day this is;

All the air is thy diocese,
And all the chirping choristers
And other birds are thy parishioners:
Thou marryest ever year
The lyric lark and the grave whispering dove;
The sparrow that neglects his life for love,
The household bird with the red stomarcher;
Celebrations
Thous mak'st the blackbird speed as soon,
As doth the goldfinch or the halcyon . . .
This day more cheerfully than ever shine,
This day which might inflame thyself, old Valentine!

The Christian tradition of drawing names on St. Valentine's Eve

continued in England and other places. The tradition of birds
choosing their mates on St. Valentine's Day led to the idea that boys
and girls would do the same. Now when a youth drew a girl's name,
he wore it on his sleeve, and attended and protected her during the
following year. This made the girl his valentine and they exchanged
love tokens throughout the year. Later this was changed to only men
giving love tokens to females, usually without names but signed
"with St. Valentine's Love."

Later, in France, both sexes drew from the valentine box. A booked
called Travels in England, written in 1698, gives an account of the
way it was done:

On St. Valentine's Eve an equal number of Maids and

Bachelors get together, each writes their true or some feigned
name upon separate billets, which they roll up and draw by
way of lots, the Maids taking the Men's billets, and the Men
the Maids'; so that each of the young Men lights upon a Girl
that he calls his Valentine, and each of the Girls upon a young
Man which she calls hers. By this means each has two
Valentines--but the Man sticks faster to the Valentine that is
fallen to him than to the Valentine to whom he is fallen.
 Fortune having thus divided the company into so many
couples, the valentines give balls and treats to their mistresses,
wear their billets several days upon their bosoms or sleeves,
and this little sport ofen ends in Love. This ceremony is
practised differently in different Countries, and according to
the freedom or severity of Madame Valentine. This is another
kind of Valentine, which is the first young Man or Woman
chance throws in your way in the street, or elsewhere . . .

St. Valentine's Day was mentioned by Shakespeare. The poet,

Drayton, wrote verses entitled "To His Valentine," in which he
expressed the idea of the birds' mating on St. Valentine's Day.

Each little bird this tide

Doth choose her beloved peer,
Which constantly abide
In wedlock all the year.

The Saints
February 14th was St Valentine’s Day for hundreds of years – but no one is sure which St
Valentine was being celebrated. Through a strange coincidence, three separate Saints called
Valentine were all martyred on a February 14th. Not much is known about any of their saintly
activities. The least well known of them has been all but forgotten. All that is remembered is that
he was declared a saint, and that he died in Africa, one February 14th. No one knows what year,
why he’s a saint, or anything else about him, except that he died. It is widely believed that he was
not the saint celebrated on February 14th by the Catholic Church.

A different St Valentine (Valentine of Rome) died in a Roman prison – though whether through
execution or illness is up for debate. There are legends that he died for love – although the
legends are varied and disputed. One legend says he continued to perform marriage ceremonies
after they were banned by the emperor (the emperor wanted to increase the number of bachelors,
as they were believed to make better soldiers than married men). Another legend says he died for
Christian Love – i.e. for refusing to give up his faith. A third legend says he gave a note to a
young woman (a jailor’s daughter in some versions), signed “Your Valentine”. This St Valentine
died around 270AD.
The third St Valentine, Valentine of Terni, was a bishop. Allegedly, he performed miracles,
healed people, and was persecuted and beheaded, possibly around 170AD. Some historians
believe that Valentine of Terni and Valentine of Rome may have been the same person, as the
historic record is inconclusive on either of them.

The relics of one of the St Valentines can be found in the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in
Dublin. If you are interested in the various legends about the saint(s), the church has a website
dedicated to St Valentine and his shrine and relics.

There was also a fourth Valentine – or rather, Valentinius – of some significance in Christian
history, albeit not in Catholic history. Valentinius of Alexandria was an influential Gnostic
philosopher/leader. While he is by far the most famous of early Christian Valentines, and more is
known about him than any of the three saints, he is not officially celebrated on Valentine’s Day.
Gnostics were the targets of several crusades and genocidal extermination campaigns in the
Middle Ages – Gnosticism went extinct as result. With that in mind, it’s not likely that the
Catholic Church would celebrate a Gnostic thinker.

Despite there being three separate Saint Valentines, all of whom were martyred on the same day
of the year, it is unlikely that the way Valentine’s Day is celebrated today has anything to do with
any of the saints (or their Gnostic, more famous, namesake). In fact, the Catholic Church
officially demoted Saint Valentine’s Day in 1969, to distance itself from the way the day is
celebrated in popular culture. It was rebranded as Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius Day, with all
the Valentines being struck off the list of saints celebrated on February 14th.

THIS IS WHAT THE CHISTIAN`S

BELIEVE IN !
NOW READ BELOW…

This is one of the most important symbols of Valentine's day;

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.

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 Allah 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 Allah, love of His Messenger (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them), love
for good and righteous people, love and support for the religion, love of martyrdom
for the sake of Allah. 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).

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah 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 Allah 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)

Allah 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 Allah be upon him) told us that groups of
his ummah would follow the enemies of Allah in some of their rituals and customs,
as it says in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him),
who narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah 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 Allah, (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 Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah, 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 Allah 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.

The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival

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 Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “They (Jews and
Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah (by
obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own
desires without being ordered by Allah)…”[al-Tawbah 9:31]

It was narrated that ‘Adiy ibn Haatim said: “I came to the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah 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 Allah.’ 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 Allah 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
Allah. Whoever celebrates it is celebrating an occasion of shirk on which the idols
are venerated. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, whosoever sets
up partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah 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 Allah 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
Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Ibn Taymiyah
(may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and
religious ceremonies of which Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah 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'an,
Sunnah and ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus):

(i) From the Qur'an: Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah 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 Taymiyah narrated that there was agreement that it is
haraam to imitate the kuffaar in their festivals at the time of the Sahaabah (may
Allah 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) Allah 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'an refer to the Jews and hypocrites (munaafiqeen),
then the People of the Book in general and the mushrikeen. Allah tells us in the
Qur'an that imitating and obeying the kuffaar may constitute riddah (apostasy).
Allah 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.

Allah sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that it might prevail
over all other religions, and Allah 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]. Allah 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 Allah. 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. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You (O Muhammad) will not find
any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who
oppose Allah 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 Allah have mercy on him) said: “Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah, love of His Messenger (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them), love
for good and righteous people, love and support for the religion, love of martyrdom
for the sake of Allah. 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 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 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-Allah
Muhammad Rasool Allah 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 Allah 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, Allah 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 Allah 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'an 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 Allah 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 Allah 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
Allah 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 Allah.” (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 Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah to protect the Muslims from all
temptations, visible and invisible, and to take care of us and give us strength. And
Allah knows best.

The Fatwa of Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah be pleased with
her), who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah 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 Allah 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
Allah and His Messenger, and Allah 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 Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in
punishment” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]

So the Muslim must adhere to the Qur'an 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 Allah and of those who went astray, and of the evildoers
who hope not for reward from Allah and do not show any respect towards Islam. The
Muslim should seek refuge with Allah and ask for His guidance and for help to
adhere steadfastly to it, because none can guide except Allah and none can make
us remain steadfast except Him. And Allah is the Source of strength. May Allah 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 Allah 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 Allah 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.

Valentine's Day:
Forbidden by Islam (Haram)?

Anything related to pagan rituals or false religions is considered "haram" (forbidden in Islam)

The holiday is considered haram, or forbidden by prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him.
He tells us any newly invented matter in the deen (way of Islam) is misguiding and all
misguiding leads to the Fire of Hell.

Not only is it forbidden due to false worship (and act of shirk or making partners in worship
with Allah) it is also one of the many ways people waste hard earned money trying to impress
members of the opposite sex.While it is very much a part of Islam to regularly present our
mothers and wives with gifts, it is another forbidden act to participate in adultry or anything
coming close to it.

Feb. 12: A Palestinian vendor is seen in his a gift shop decorated with gifts for Valentine's Day
in the West Bank city of Jenin.

Roses are hard to find in Palestine, a gift usually associated with Valentine's Day. They only
grow in Israel and of course they are difficult to come by in Gaza. Still many Muslims attempt
celebrating Eid Al Hub (Love Feast) with anything red they can find. Flower shops in Gaza City
usually display buckets of red heart-shaped carnations and decorations, even to Muslim women
wearing head scarf and long dresses.

Many officials in Muslim countries chose to endorse celebrations from the west, or at least
look the other way when it comes to western influences
like Valentine's Day.

Across the Arab world, attitudes toward Valentine's

Day can be a pretty good gauge for the level iman
(faith). Observent Muslims know prophet Muhammad,
peace be upon him, ordered believers not to follow the
ways of other religions and to celebrate the two eids
(festivals) of Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adhah.

Youth amongst our Muslims are quick to copy the

folks the west, especially when it comes to celebrating
their "romances" and "love".

But all of this only leads to heart break and sorrow for those unwed mothers, and "lovers"
with diseases like A.I.D.S. It is not real love, rather a corrupted image with carnal desire and lust
at the root. But it does make the devil happy.

Saudi Arabia has their religious police who work to make sure these types of "innovations"
don't creep into the Muslim way of life. But even with a ban on these non-Islamic activities, it is
difficult to enforce the ban.

Lawmakers in Kuwait said they want to see Valentine's Day suppressed because it dilutes the
pure Islam and corrupts the Muslim society with false notions of what real love and marriage is
all about.

Bahrain is more open to these types of celebrations, although still maintaining a watchful eye
on the effects these have on society in general and the Muslim spirit and innocence expected of
the youth. Even then the flower shops there import up to 150,000 of the roses in a week for the
heart throb event.

Egypt used to be very conservative and still is in the country side. However, the big cities like
Cairo and Alexandria have their own new cultural attitude of the you. Cario overs small cruise
boats on the Nile were decorated with red ribbons and hearts made of flashing red bulbs.

Dubai, a conservative Muslim city-state with a modern outlook and a pro-Western attitude,
has been taken over by a Valentine craze in recent days. Malls, cafes, and even offices were
decorated with giant hearts. Five-course dinners and romantic getaways were sold out, and spas
offered Valentine specials.
 Valentine's Day was introduced to Gaza about a decade ago by Palestinian exiles returning
from more cosmopolitan places such as Beirut and Tunis, following interim peace deals with
Israel. The Internet and Arab satellite TV helped spread the idea, mostly among the young,
educated, and secular.

Salesman Mohammed Sussi, 30, said he hadn't received any complaints about his business.
''They didn't tell us anything, whether from the government or anyone else, that it is haram,'' he
said.

But in one flower shop, a TV crew earned angry glares from salespeople, and shoppers
adamantly refused to be interviewed on camera. Asked why the reluctance, one salesman said his
customers didn't want to be filmed doing something haram.

A Palestinian policeman said Valentine's Day might go against Gaza's traditions, but Hamas
is not trying to replace civil with Islamic law. ''We are by nature a religious people and hate and
reject all strange things,'' he said. ''(But) we don't kill adulterers or gays or cut off the hands of
thieves.''

We ask Allah 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 Allah send blessings upon His slave and Messenger
Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.

Related Article

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2061136/Why-Cant-We-Celebrate-Valentines-Day

Compiled by Abdul Ahad Zafar

zeinnovator@yahoo.com