The Islamic ruling on Valentine’s Day

Introduction

Many people celebrate Valentine’s Day, which falls on the fourteenth of February every year; they do so by exchanging red rosesand gifts. They also dress up in red clothingand congratulate one another on this occasion. Certain bakeries and confectioners produce special sweets for the occasion which are red in color and have heartsupon them. Other shops advertise goods that are sold exclusively for this event.

The questions that therefore arise are: What are the Islamic rulings regarding:

1) Celebrating this day?

2) Buying from the shops that have these special items which are sold for this event?

3) Shop owners who are not celebrating this event selling items that can be used as gifts by those who are celebrating it?

The ruling

The Standing Committee for Scholarly Research and Legal Rulings studied this matter thoroughly and ruled as follows:

"The clear evidence from the Quran and Sunnah, and this is agreed upon by consensus of the early Muslim generations, confirms that there are only two 'Eeds(days of celebration) in Islam: 'Eed al-Fitr(after the fast of Ramadan) and 'Eed al-Adh-haa(after the standing at ‘Arafah for pilgrimage).

Every other 'Eed, whether related to a person, group, incident or any other occasion, is an innovated 'Eed. It is not permissible for Muslims to participate in it, approve of it, make any show of happiness on its occasion, or assist others to do so, in any way; to do so would be to transgress the bounds of Allah Who Says what means: "…And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah has certainly wronged himself… " [Quran: 65:1]

If we add to this that the fabricated 'Eedin question is in fact one of the 'Eedsof the disbelievers, then it becomes a case of sin piled upon sin. This is because its celebration entails imitation of the disbelievers and thereby showing them a form of loyalty. In the Quran, Allah has emphatically prohibited the believers from imitating, loving or being loyal to the disbelievers, in any way. It is also confirmed from the Prophet  (may Allah exalt his mention) that he said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Valentine’s Day comes under the category of what has been mentioned here, since it is a pagan and polytheistic holiday. Hence it is not permissible for any Muslim who claims to believe in Allah and the Last Day to participate in it, approve of it, or congratulate anyone on its occasion. Moreover, it is obligatory to abandon it and distance oneself from it in response to the command of Allah and His Messenger  so that one may thereby be distanced from the anger of Allah and His punishment.

Additionally, it is forbidden for a Muslim to assist or helpin this 'Eed, or any other forbidden or illicit celebration, in any way whatsoever, whether by eating or drinking, selling or buying, production, gift-giving, correspondence, announcements, or any other means. All of these things are considered cooperating in sin and transgression and disobedience to Allah and His Messenger . Allah the Glorious and Most High Says what means: “…And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; Indeed Allah is severe in penalty."[Quran: 5:2]

Also, it is obligatory for every Muslim to adhere strictly to the Quran and Sunnah in every situation and at all times, especially in times of temptation and corruption. It is incumbent that he or she understand, be aware and be cautioned from falling into the deviations of those whom Allah is angry with (i.e., the Jews) and those who are astray (i.e., the Christians) and other immoral people who have no fear of punishment or hope of reward from Allah, and who give no recognition at all to Islam.

It is necessary for the Muslim to flee to Allah, the Most High, seeking His firm guidance upon the true path. Indeed there is no Guide except Allah, and none can grant firmness except Him, and Success is from Him.

Source: The Standing Committee for Scholarly Research and Legal Rulings. -islamweb.net