Untuk saudaraku se iman yang ingin CELEBRATING THE VALENTINE MATTER , mungking tidak ada jeleknya read this story.
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VALENTINE’S DAY
Muslim authorities decry Valentine’s Day celebrations as many of the Muslims follow customs and ways of behavior like non muslims, and imitate them in some of their rituals and in celebrating their holidays. 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 celebration of the Valentine’s Day without knowing its origin, whether it is permissible in Islamic beliefs or otherwise.
Allah has chosen for us Islam as our religion .Islam commands its followers to avoid many things. Some of them are prohibited because they contradict some of the doctrines in which a Moslem is supposed to believe. Some of them are prohibited because they are immoral or unethical or unhealthy or because they represent disobedience to the devotional duties, the violation of which may constitute a major sin. And the Prophet (pbuh) told us that groups of his ummah would follow the enemies of Allaah in some of their rituals and customs, “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.” (al-Khudri (Bukhaari/Muslim).What the Prophet (Pbuh) 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. 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, and 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, The emperor, impressed with the young priest’s dignity and conviction, attempted to convert him to the roman gods, to save him from certain execution. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. Valentine was in prison awaiting his fate, he came in contact with his jailor, Asterius. The jailor had a blind daughter. Asterius requested him to heal his daughter. Through his faith he miraculously restored the sight of Asterius’ daughter. Just before his execution, he asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her “From Your Valentine,” a phrase that lived ever afterThe first Valentine card grew out of this practice. Cupid, another symbol of the holiday, became associated with it because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid oftValentine thus become a Patron Saint, and spiritual overseer of an annual festival. The festival involved young Romans offering women they admired, and wished to court, handwritten greetings of affection on February 14. The greeting cards acquired St.Valentine’s nameen appears on Valentine cards. Valentine was executed 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) (source www.islam q &A).
In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They have been prescribed for us by Allah and Prophet(pbuh)‘For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow’[al-Hajj 22:67]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 celebrating Valentine’s Day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans, From the Sunnah: the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood).
The Fatwa of the Standing Committee & many Muslim scholars Shaykh Muhamamd ibn Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen , Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Jibreen concerning about Valentine’s Day ; The Muslim’s attitude towards this day should be clear;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.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 Allaah knows best. 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. Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyah wa’l-Iftaa’
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (mahmoh)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) .”He should not help any Muslims who celebrate it. 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” Ibn Taymiyah said,.Alas for the Muslim girls! Among the things that have been seen among the Muslims on this holiday: large numbers of female students wear something with red heart-shaped stickers on their faces, wearing red make-up,writing names and hearts on their hands, or just initials.;printing love poems on card exchange red balloons on which are written provocative words, the female students agreeing with their friends to tie a red ribbon on the right wrist. All of these acts are in contradistinction to our religious beliefs,We must oppose these things by all possible means. The responsibility rests with us all. And religious scholars have advised that 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 () said: “With regard to congratulating others with the congratulations used by the non believers 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 (Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 1/441-442)
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.
Finally, the religious scholars have requested people of understanding that they should urge the khateebs of the mosques,teachers of schools to explain the reality of this holiday to warn the people and students with a copy of the fatwas of the Standing Committee and of Shaykh Muhamamd ibn Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen , Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan (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,and teachers among the brothers so perhaps the responsibility of telling them about this will be discharged when they read the article. Copy (islam q& a) All that should begin a week beforehand in order to be of any benefit.Each person should make his family members aware of this.The Excellence of Bringing Up Girls is quiet clear in Islam ,as Prophet(SAW) said, “Whoever takes care of two girls until they reach adulthood – he and I will come (together) on the Day of Resurrection – and he interlaced his fingers (meaning in Paradise).” (Muslim.) So can there be any greater honor given to daughter!? And for those who wish to have them and bring them up properly!? And he said in another Hadith: “Whoever has three daughters or sisters, or two daughters of two sisters, and lives along with them in a good manner, and has patience with them, and fears Allah with regard to them will enter Paradise.” (Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhee and other. And in another Hadith: “They will be a shield for him from the Fire.” (Ahmad and Ibn Maajah).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. 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. 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.( excerptsare from Ruling on celebrating Valentine’s Day www..Islam Q & A; a treatise more than 7300 words on the evils and dangers of Valentine’s Day) Allah knows the best.
every single thing will be counted whether bad or good
be smart be Vigilant
