Love in Islam Versus Valentine's day

In recent time, the celebration of Valentine has become very widespread among Muslim. It is festival where people especially woman dress in red and exchange roses, flowers and gifts. What is the ruling concerning this celebration from Islamic view? what is the historical background of valentine's day? Does Islam deprive us from love?

Origin of Celebration

The Romans had a festival named Lupercalia and they used to celebrate it on the 15th February every year. On that day they offered sacrifices to their supposed god named "Lurks" in order to protect their cattle and the like from being killed by wolves. They celebrated this festival during the spring holidays according to their calculations.

During the thirteenth century the day of this festival was changed to February 14th. There was an incident that led to this change. In the thirteenth century a Roman Emperor Claudius II, forbade his soldiers to marry because marriage would involve them in family life and cause them to lose interest in fighting.

A catholic priest named Valentine revolted against this emperor's order and performed weddings for the soldiers secretly. After a while his disobedience was discovered and he was imprisoned. While in prison he fell in love with the jailer's daughter. On February 14th he was executed. After his death people believed that he had sacrificed himself for the sake of Christianity and to save lovers. Subsequently the church elevated him to Sainthood and February 14th came to be observed as Saint Valentine's Day.

Celebrating days and festival is part of religion. Allah Almighty says: "For every religion We have appointed rites which they perform" (Al-Maida:48).

Imitating non-believers in their celebration is prohibited as the prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

   "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." [Abu Dawood]

Love in Islam

Islam is religion of love, mercy and piety. Islam encourages us to express our love and emotion at all time and not only on one occasion. The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: 

      "If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves                                     him."  [Abu Dawood]

and He (Pbuh) 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 salaam (Islamic greeting) amongst yourselves." [Muslim]

the Prophet (Peace be upon him) recommended us to exchange gift because it generate and increase love. It is reported that He (Pbuh) said:

"Give each other gifts and you will love each other."

 [Al-Bukhari]

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, on his fatwa regarding celebrating the Valentine's day, said:

Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not permissible for a number of reasons.  

1-     It is an innovated festival for which there is no basis in Islam.

2-     It promotes love and infatuation.

3-     It calls for hearts to be preoccupied with foolish matters that are contrary to the way of the righteous salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them). 

It is not permissible on this day to do any of the things that are characteristic of this festival, whether that has to do with food, drinks, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else. 

The Muslim should be proud of his religion and should not be a weak character who follows every Tom, Dick and Harry. 

I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and to protect us and guide us. 

End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (16/199) 

The Evil of lying

Lying is one of the major elements of corruption in human society, and the cause of the destruction of social structure and ties, lying are an immoral and a bad conduct, and it causes a lot of harm in the society. Hence Islam commanded us to speak the truth and stay away from making false statement. 

Allah says: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds).” (Al-Tawbah: 119). Allah warned about telling lies in many verses “And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it]." (Al-Baqara:42). And also Allah said “…Indeed, Allah does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar” (Ghafir:28).

From the Sunnah, Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ood (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said: ‘You must be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will keep speaking the truth and striving to speak the truth until he will be recorded with Allah as a siddeeq (speaker of the truth). Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allaah as a liar.” (Muslim,book 32, Had. 6309). In another hadith the prophet (Pbuh)  gave strict warning about people who lie, It was narrated from Abu Dharr (RA) that the Prophet (Pbuh) said: “There are three to whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection and He will not look at them or praise them, and they will have a painful torment.” The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) repeated this three times. Abu Dharr said: “May they are doomed and lost, who are they, O Messenger of Allah are?” He said, “The one who lets his garment hang below his ankles, the one who reminds others of his favors, and the one who disposes of his goods by swearing a false oath.”(Abi Dawud, book33, Had.4076). Lying is a major sin. When a person lies, he has to come up with a lot of made up stories to convince others, to cheat and deceive, and to gain worldly favor.

In  the Story of Yusuf alayhi salam, his brothers tried all these motives to convince their fathers that Yusuf is dead so that they gain his love toward them but they did not know the consequences. First, they came crying which shows that crying is not an evidence for truth. They started making up the story by saying: “We went racing with one another”.  Next, they added “and left Yusuf by our belongings” then they used the same statement that the father said before he sent him with them “and a wolf devoured him” and they came with proof to help them to deceive their father “And they brought his shirt stained with false blood”.

Not only the brothers of Yusuf made a lie in the story, the wife of Al-Aziz also lied about him when she tried to seduce him and her husband came. She made false accusation against Yusuf by saying:"What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?" (Yusuf:25). And the end of the story, Yusuf brothers again accused Him that he was thief while they were unaware of his identity “They said, "If he steals - a brother of his has stolen before." But Yusuf  Alayhi Salam kept it within himself and did not reveal it to them.” (Yusuf:77).    

There is a situation where person can lie and that is also explained by the prophet (Pbuh), He said: “It is not permissible to tell lies except in three cases: when a man speaks to his wife in a way to please her; lying in war; and lying in order to reconcile between people.” (At-Tirmidi, Vol.4, book1, Had.1939).

Hadith of Jibril: Pillars of Islam

Among the hadith that should be learned by every Muslim is the hadith of Jibril that is known by the scholars of Islam as the mother of the Sunnah because of its importance as it explains the entire religion as it was told by the Prophet (Peace be upon him)  “That was Jibril, who came to teach you your religion.” This hadeeth explains Islam, Iman, Ihsan, Hour and its signs. This incident took place close to prophet's death and Jibril (Alayhi salam) came to summarize to the companions of prophet (Pbuh) the mission and message of Islam.

Hadeeth of Jibril was narrated by Omar Ibn Khattab (RA) who said: “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), there came before us a man with extremely white clothing and extremely black hair. There were no signs of travel on him and none of us knew him”. In this part of Hadeeth, Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen, said that we should learn from this hadith the good character of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) being in the company of His companions (RA) . It is appropriate for a Muslim to mix with people and not to be separated from the group.  Another point from the Hadith is the appearance of Jibril in form of man with good looking which show that it is important for the person who is seeking the knowledge of religion to be clean and have good appearance. 

The narrator went on to say “He approached and sat down by the Prophet resting his knees to his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs.” We learn from this part of HAdith that the seeker of knowledge should act with the teacher to be humble and close enough to listen and understand from the teacher. 

Then Jibril starts asking the Prophet (Pbuh) “O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) replied: "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger (ﷺ), that you should perform prayer, pay the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka`bah at Makkah).” 

The response of the Prophet (Pbuh) clarifies that Islam is built upon five pillars:

  1-Shahada: To testifying that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

     ⁂The declaration that Allah alone deserves to be worshiped and affirmed that He has no partner, no rival, no son; He is the creator of everything. Shahada is key to paradise as the prophet (Pbuh) said: "Whoever dies knowing that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah shallenter Paradise". But, there are conditions that must be met in order for a Muslim to be in paradise:

                    

     * Knowledge of Allah: Allah says: "So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah...." (Mohammed:19).                

    *Certainty: one should have no doubt about the shahada. Allah says: "The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful." (Al-Hujurat:15).             

    *Submission: one should submit to the will and command of Allah. Allah says: "And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped."(Az-Zumar:54).

     The second part of Shahada is to bear witness that the Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

    is the messenger of Allah.One must believe that is obligatory to follow His commands and prohibitions. Allah says: “And whatever the Messenger has given you – take it and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” (Al-Hashr: 7).

     

 2-Establishing prayer by performing it on its time and with perfection as it was taught by the Prophet (Peace be upon him), He said to his companion: "pray as you see me praying". The Salah is very important because the prophet (Pbuh) said: "The first matter that the slave of Allah will be called to account about on the Day of Judgement is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.” The main purpose of Salah is to remember Allah. Allah says:"... and establish prayer for My remembrance." (Taha:14). it also keeps one away from evil deeds as Allah says: "...Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing,..." (Al-Ankabut: 45). Prayer must be done with khushu'a (Humbleness). Allah Almighty says: "Certainly will the believers have succeeded, they who are during their prayer humbly submissive" (Al-Mu'minun:1-2).

     

3   3-Giving zakat is obligatory upon the one who has wealth that reaches the nissab.  Allah says: “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase…”(At-Tawba:103). Zakah is as important as salah. In Quran, Allah enjoined zakah and prayer in many verses: "The believers, men and women, are helpers and supporters of one another, they enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, they offer their prayers perfectly, they give the zakat and they obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will bestow His mercy on them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Al-Taubah:71). Zakat has an important role in the Muslim community because it helps those who are in need and strengthens the ties of brotherhood and sisterhood. It also removes stinginess and it shows that the believers know that all that they have come from Allah Almighty and they will not suffer if they give wealth for His sake but they will be rewarded as Allah says: "The likeness of those who spend in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain, which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains, and Allah multiples His reward for whom He wills. And Allah is All Encompassing, All Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah: 261).

   4 -Fasting the month of Ramadan is obligatory and it is refraining from food, drink and desires. Allah says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”(Al-Baqara: 183). 

     The fasting is very important as it will come on day of judgement as an intercessor. The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "The fast and the Qur’an shall come as intercessors on the Day of Resurrection. The fast shall say, ’O Lord, I prevented him from his food and drink during the day, so let me intercede for him’. The Qur’an will say, ‘I kept him from sleep during the night, so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will be allowed to intercede.”

The one who fasts the month of Ramadan with sincerity, having faith in Allah and seeking the reward, Allah will forgive his previous sins. the The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with faith and hoping for its reward shall have all of his previous sins forgiven for him.” 

5- Performing Hajj is duty that should be made by every Muslim who has ability to do so. Allah says: “And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find there to a way.” (Al-Imran: 97). The hajj has great reward as the prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "“And the Hajj that is accepted by Allah and performed properly has no reward other than Paradise.” 

The one who performs hajj sincerely to Allah abandons all worldly material and submit himself only to Allah to please Him and seeks His forgiveness and the great reward. Hajj is time of unity between Muslim and it is way to develop patient.

Attributes of Ibadu Rahman: Slaves of the Most Merciful-Part II

We will continue the description of the servant of Allah mentionned in surah al-Furqan. Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَـهَا ءَاخَرَ وَلاَ يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِى حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ وَلاَ يَزْنُونَ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَاماً - يُضَـعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيـمَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَاناً 

"And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated" (25:68-69).   

*The true slaves of Allah do not worship other than Allah. It is the greatest sin that is not forgiven Allah. Allah says: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.” (An-Nissa:116).

*One of the major sins that one commit is to kill others. Allah forbade such act. He Almighty says: “But whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.” (An-Nissaa:93).

*being servant of Allah, one should not come near act of zina (Adultery). Allah says: “And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.” (Al-Israa:32).

Allah promised for those who commit such act that they will have great punishment in the hereafter. But for those who repent, Allah say:  “Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (25:70).

وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّواْ بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّواْ كِراماً

"And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.” (25:72)

 One of the characteristique of the slave of Allah that they do not bear witness to falsehood, including lies, immorality, disbelief, foul speech and false word.

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا 

“And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind.” (25:73)

The characteristic of true believer is that he reflects on verses revealed and act upon them. Allah says describing the true believers as “Those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord.” (8:2) 

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

“And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous." (25:74)

Allah Almighty taught us beautiful supplication to say. Every Muslim who wants to be among the servant of the most Merciful should learn this du’aa.

The reward of Ibadu-Rahman (the Servant of the Most Merciful) is great. Allah says:

أُولَـٰئِكَ يُجْزَوْنَ الْغُرْفَةَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيُلَقَّوْنَ فِيهَا تَحِيَّةً وَسَلَامًا

 حَسُنَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا

“Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace. Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence.” (25:75-76).

Attributes of Ibadu Rahman: Slaves of the Most Merciful-Part I

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “I have left you with two matters which will never lead you astray, as long as you hold to them: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of his Prophet.” The Hadith teaches us that we should seek guidance through the Quran and the Sunnah. Allah Almighty said: “Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.” (17:9).

There is a chapter in the Quran that teach us how to be true worshipper of Allah.  Allah Almighty describes in detail the characteristics and attributes of good worshipper. The chapter is “Al-Furqan”, verses 63-76.  These are the most beautiful verses that every Muslim should read and reflect in its meaning. Allah is describing those who are most beloved to him and those will inherit the paradise as slaves of the Most Merciful. Being slave of Allah is an honor and elevates the person in status with Allah. Allah begins these verses by saying:

وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace” (25:63).

The fist attribute of the slaves of Allah are those who walk with humility and they do not show pride or arrogance. The prophet (Pbuh) was very humble that He used to tell his companion “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle.”

Being arrogant and feeling superior over others bring only the anger of Allah. Allah said “And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.” (31:18).  And the prophet (Pbuh) said: “He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise.”

The verse also describes that the humble and worshipper of Allah, If the ignorant people insult them with bad words, they do not respond in kind, but they forgive and overlook, and say nothing but good words.

وَالَّذِينَ يِبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّداً وَقِيَـماً 

“And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing” (25:64).

The best act of worship that Allah loves is night prayer after obligatory prayer. Allah praised those who used to spend night worshipping him in many verses in Quran. Allah says: “They used to sleep but little by night. And in the hours before dawn, they were asking for forgiveness.” (51:17-18).

وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَاماً

And those who say: "Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily, its torment is ever an inseparable punishment.'' (25:65).

The true believer is the one that he has fear of Allah’s punishment and he always seeks Allah’s protection from hell fire. The prophet (Pbuh) said: “Whoever seeks protection from Hellfire three times, Hellfire will say: O Allah, save him from the Hellfire”. This is best du’aa from Quran that we can memorize and say all the time. The prophet (Pbuh) used to say: “O Allaah, I ask of Your pleasure and for Paradise,and I seek refuge from Your displeasure and from the Hellfire.”

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَنفَقُواْ لَمْ يُسْرِفُواْ وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُواْ وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قَوَاماً

 “And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate.”

The slaves of the Most Merciful are described as those who are not extravagant in spending nor are they miser. But they follow the fairest way. Allah says in Surah Israa: “And let not your hand be tied to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach.” And He Almighty said: “And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.” (15:26-27)

May Allah make us of His slave and guide us to understand and follow the Quran and make the Quran the delight of our heart. Aameen

To be continued….