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Valentine's Day – a day of roses, chocolates, and heart-shaped everything! Couples exchange gifts, friends share love notes, and social media overflows with declarations of affection. But amidst all this excitement, have you ever wondered if Muslims are allowed to celebrate Valentine's Day?
Well, to answer that, today, we’ll take a closer look at the origins of Valentine’s Day, its cultural significance, and the Islamic perspective on participating in non-Islamic celebrations. Let’s dive in!
Before proceeding into whether Muslims celebrate Valentine's Day or not, it is crucial to have a basic understanding of the holiday itself:
Valentine's Day is a Christian festival, just like Christmas. It is celebrated on February 14th each year. It is a day dedicated to expressing love and affection to one's significant other, family members, and friends. It is often associated with the exchange of romantic gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, and handwritten love letters. Couples often go on dates or spend quality time together to celebrate their love and strengthen their bonds.
The origins of Valentine's Day can be traced back to ancient Rome, where a festival known as Lupercalia was celebrated in mid-February. This festival honoured Lupercus, the Roman god of fertility, and was marked by rituals and sacrifices.
Over time, this pagan festival merged with Christian traditions and the commemoration of Saint Valentine, a third-century Roman saint who was martyred for performing forbidden marriages. The modern Valentine's Day as we know it today gradually took shape in the Middle Ages and gained popularity across Europe.
The Islamic faith strongly emphasises love, communication, compassion, respect, and mutual understanding between spouses. The Quran and hadith provide timeless guidance on maintaining healthy relationships, emphasising emotional connection, and preserving sanctity of marriage:
“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy”
(Surah Ar-Rum, 30:21)
Similarly, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The best of you are those who are best to their wives”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1162)
These show the importance of love and care, lawfully and respectfully. While Muslims married couples can certainly celebrate their love for one another, exchange gifts, and express affection on Valentine’s Day in a manner consistent with Islamic principles, the day’s broader traditions and practices are not permissible.
These traditions include displays of public affection, such as kissing, hugging, or holding hands, which conflicts with Islamic principles of modesty and respect for privacy. Extravagant celebrations that many people engage in draw attention to personal lives, which can distract from the spiritual focus that Islam encourages in relationships.
Explore Riwaya's jewellery and fragrances section for elegant gifts, which are perfect for showing love and appreciation to your spouse.
While Islam promotes respect for other religious traditions, there are theological reasons why Muslims generally refrain from celebrating Valentine's Day:
Imitating non-Muslims is Haram (prohibited) and discouraged in Islam, as it involves emulating the practices of other cultures or religions that may contradict Islamic values.
By abstaining from Valentine's Day, Muslims can reaffirm their commitment to their faith and resist the influence of cultural practices that conflict with Islamic teachings. The Prophet (PBUH) explicitly warned against imitation, stating:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them”
(Abu Dawood, 4031)
This hadith underscores the gravity of imitating non-Muslim practices and its association with the identity of those being imitated.
Islam places a great emphasis on the sanctity of marriage and promotes modesty and loyalty within marital relationships. The Quran specifically prohibits unlawful sexual relationships and immoral conduct, underscoring the sanctity of permissible relationships and condemning any approach toward immoral behaviour:
"And do not approach illicit relations. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way."
(Surah Al Isra, verse 32)
This verse clearly directs us to avoid all actions that may lead to unlawful sexual relations, emphasising the severity of such misconduct. The phrase "do not approach" signifies the importance of avoiding the act itself and any steps, situations, or behaviours that might pave the way toward it.
Avoiding the celebration of non-Islamic holidays helps Muslims stay true to their religious identity and follow Islamic teachings. By not taking part in celebrations that go against Islamic values, Muslims aim to protect the purity of their faith and avoid mixing their practices with non-Islamic traditions.
There is a hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik where the Prophet (PBUH) addressed this matter:
“When the Prophet (PBUH) arrived in Medina, he noticed people celebrating two specific days. He asked, ‘What are these two days?’ They replied, ‘We used to celebrate these days during the time of ignorance (before Islam).’ The Prophet said, ‘Allah (SWT) has replaced these two days with better ones: Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr.’”
(Sunan Abi Dawood 1134)
This teaches Muslims to focus on Islamic celebrations like Eid, which are filled with meaning and approved by Allah (SWT).
Celebrating events like Valentine’s Day is considered Bid'ah (innovation in religion) in Islam because such occasions have no basis in Islamic teachings and are rooted in non-Islamic traditions. Participation in these celebrations can introduce new practices or rituals into the faith that were never part of the original teachings of Islam. This goes against the principles of maintaining the purity and authenticity of Islamic beliefs and practices.
Valentine’s Day, for instance, is associated with customs that do not align with Islamic values, such as displays of public affection, extravagant spending or adopting practices from other religions. Engaging in such celebrations may blur the boundaries of Islamic identity and could lead to Bid'ah by normalising behaviours or rituals that Islam does not sanction.
The Prophet (PBUH) strongly warned against introducing innovations into the religion. He said:
“I warn you against newly invented matters (in religion). Every newly invented matter is an innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to Hellfire.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, 1578)
This hadith reminds Muslims to avoid practices like Valentine’s Day that could compromise their adherence to Islamic teachings and ensure that their faith remains pure and free from any innovations.
For Muslims, showing love, care, and appreciation is an integral part of daily life and is deeply rooted in the teachings of Islam. Rather than limiting such expressions to specific days like Valentine’s Day, Islam encourages continuous acts of kindness, love, and compassion as a way to strengthen bonds and fulfil divine commands. Below are some Islamic teachings and reasons that highlight how Muslims express affection and appreciation.
The Prophet (PBUH) emphasised the importance of kindness and generosity in relationships, which strengthens the bond between individuals.
He said:
“Give gifts to one another, and you will love one another.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2130)
Check out the Riwaya’s Gift Section and buy a suitable gift for your spouse on birthdays, Eid, and other special occasions. Our collection offers special gift hampers, fragrances, prayer mats, and tasbeeh in our collection.
Islam encourages expressing love and appreciation verbally. Simple words of affection can deeply impact relationships, as the Prophet (PBUH) taught:
“If one of you loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him.”
(Sunan Abi Dawood, 5124)
This hadith reflects the importance of openly communicating love and care for others, which can be done at any time without needing a special occasion.
The Qur'an and hadith emphasise the importance of showing love and respect within family relationships. This includes being kind and dutiful to parents, siblings, spouses, and children.
The Quran says:
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.”
(Surah Luqman, 31:14)
This reminds Muslims of their responsibility to express gratitude and care for their parents and fulfil their rights.
Islam places great emphasis on mutual love, respect, and affection between spouses. A successful marriage is built on these values, and the Quran beautifully describes the marital bond:
“And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts).”
(Surah Ar-Rum, 30:21)
The Allah (SWT) encourages spouses to express love and appreciation for one another in their daily interactions, such as giving gifts or making jokes, which lightens the mood and strengthens relationships.
Looking for inspiration in marital love? Read our blog on how the Prophet (PBUH) showed love and affection toward his wives.
Islamic festivities, like Eid and Ramadan, offer beautiful opportunities to share joy, generosity, and closeness with loved ones. By partaking in these celebrations and following the traditions of the Prophet (PBUH), such as giving gifts and spreading compassion, Muslims express affection within the framework of their faith.
In the context of participating in non-Muslim celebrations, Islam views certain practices associated with these festivities as conflicting with Islamic teachings. Engaging in religious aspects of non-Muslim celebrations, including Valentine's Day, is considered impermissible (haram) in Islam. The act of imitating or directly participating in rituals or customs that contradict Islamic beliefs is discouraged and deemed contrary to Islamic principles.
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