VALENTINE’s DAY and ISLAM – Is it Really Haram?

Here we are; another topic another debate that has been ongoing for decades and will last forever.

What is Valentine’s Day? You don’t have to dig deeper to find the roots; it’s simply a day dedicated to celebrate Love. It is not a religious virtue. It has its own history that connects it to Christianity but it is not the part of the religion. So now comes the integral question; is Valentine’s Day Haram in Islam? NO! But, it is not that simple.

Technically, we Muslims do not give much importance to days like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or any other such day because we believe that every day is a Mother’s day, every day is a father’s day; you don’t need a single day to express your feelings. But there is no harm in celebrating these days; life has become so busy in this modern world so let’s consider these days as a small reminders towards our duties. There is no harm taking your mother out for dinner on Mother’s day; but if you are going to neglect her for the remaining 364 days of the year, you have actually not understood the purpose of that day.

Similarly, one must show affection towards one’s spouse throughout the year; you don’t need one specific day for this purpose but like I said, take it as an opportunity out of your busy schedule to spend some lovely time with your spouse; or for instance, any of your beloved one; it could be parents, siblings, friends etc.

I have written numerous times that HARAM is a very tough condition; you can’t just label anything as HARAM. Remember, the sin itself is Haram but the steps taking you towards the sin are not Haram but highly disliked to save you from reaching the sin. For example; being in a relationship is not haram; Islam doesn’t forbid Love. Haram is what you indulge in while being in a relationship. Kissing, hugging, making out; all these acts are Haram. But if you are in a platonic relationship (Non-Physical), you are not doing anything Haram. Yes, it is highly recommended not to be in any kind of relationship other than Nikah because we human beings are weak and there is a high probability that we would eventually fall for the sin. But still, if one has managed to stay away from zina, his or her relationship is not haram. Disliked, probably but Haram, no! Try to understand, Haram is the last resort, Haram is something that cannot be done at any cost. Missing prayers is Haram, Alcohol is Haram, Lying is Haram; these are some of the examples of something which is completely Haram and one cannot debate on it.

Also Read: Dear Muslims, What is Halal and Haram

Now back to Valentine’s Day. I personally don’t take it seriously and I don’t understand the hype either. Like I said, if I love someone, I don’t need to wait for 14^th February to express my love. But why most of the scholars label it as Haram? Because, look around you, who is hyped up for this day? All those in haram relationship. Those in Halal relationship are not even bothering because their love is for 365 days. And those Haram couples are so hyped up to perform zina on this day. But the fact is, that it’s not like these couples wait all year for this particular day to do a sin, they do it all the time. So it’s their sin, their intention for this day which is Haram, the day itself is not haram. As per my knowledge, no one preaches Valentine’s Day to be a day of adultery. It’s simply marketed as a day of Love. Now if your Love is Haram, it’s on you, not on the day.

Let’s be practical. Like I said, I personally neither hate this day nor prepare myself to celebrate it. But at this day and age, we can’t contain it and it is not something that would make you such a grave sinner. Instead of labeling it as Haram which will serve no purpose because people will still gonna do what they wanna do; why don’t we take the opportunity to spread knowledge of Halal love on this day? Why don’t Universities and Colleges conduct seminars teaching the young about what Halal Love is? What to do and what not to do when one falls in Love? Why don’t we conduct seminars for parents teaching them about relationships and how they can save their children from Haram relationships?

At the end of the day, it is just a DAY. We can celebrate it in a Halal way. Offices can allow staffs to leave early to spend lovely evening with their spouses. Why don’t we take this opportunity to empower Halal Love?

Those who are planning to make unlawful love on this day, Allah will punish you like He will punish you for the other days too. Don’t take it easy. If your intention is to take a BACHI out for time pass, you actually are ignorant of this day because this day is about PURE LOVE. With such wicked intentions, you are actually doing the opposite of what this day preaches.

Instead of leg pulling, fighting and abusing others of their beliefs, try to get to the roots and understand facts. Religion is not blind; there is always logic and reason behind every religious law.