Valentine’s Day From the Islamic Perspective An Islamic Point of View:

Valentine Day in the eyes of Islam: 

Valentine's Day Fun 

If you ask anyone about it, they will not know the background of this festival, all they know is that today is the day of expression of love and the exchange of red flowers and gifts are the special symbol of this festival. 

Background 

What's the story behind Valentine's Day? Let’s to a glance at the history from ancient Roman times, to Victorians. Every year on February 14, Valentine's Day is celebrated in different parts of the world, especially in Western countries. On this occasion sweets, flowers and all kinds of gifts are exchanged between the lovers. All of this is in memory of the Christian pastor "Valentine" with whom the day was named. 

This day is celebrated in memory of St. Valentine. And if you go into more detail, this story is not so romantic. It is said that in the third century, there was a priest named Valentine Turni in ancient Rome who assisted the Catholic Christians there and was given the title of St. Valentine by the Catholic Church for his services. 

The most famous story about St. Valentine was his rebellion against the decree of King Claudius II, under which the king forbade marriages to keep the battlefield warm. Soldiers will stop going to war. And in defiance of this command, Pastor Valentine would arrange secret marriages of two lovers. When King Claudius received word of this disobedience, he beheaded Pastor Valentine Terney on February 14. Despite the king's wrath, the Catholic Church awarded Valentine's Day the title of Saint in return for his services. And according to a legend, February 14th is celebrated in honor of giving priority to love over war. 

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the tradition of celebrating the 14th of February romantically became stronger, and the credit for this increase goes to the Industrial Revolution. Hallmark, the first famous card-making company, printed regular Valentine's Day cards, followed by the famous chocolate Russell Store, which began packing chocolates in heart-shaped boxes on February 14th. According to a survey of previous years, 22 million Britons give gifts to their loved ones on this day. Sixteen percent of people celebrate Valentine's Day without spending anything. 

Islamic Perspectives 

Indeed, Islam is the religion of humanity, unselfishness, self-sacrifice, true love, and cooperation on that which is noble, honorable, and honest. We beseech Allah Almighty to gather us together under the protection of His Comprehensive Mercy, and to unite us together as one man. 

Allah Almighty says, (The believers are nonetheless brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may get mercy.) (Al-Hujurat 49: 10). 

Concentrating further on the question, in fact, I can say that there are forms of expressing a religiously acceptable love, while there are other festivals that are not religiously tolerable. Among the practices of love that are faithfully and religiously adequate are those that include the love for Prophets and Messengers. It makes sense that the love for Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) should have the top priority over all other forms of love. 

Innovation is forbidden in Islam: 

Islam does identify joyful events that bring people closer to one another and scattered rejoice in the lives of people. However, Islam goes against sightlessly or unseen replicating the West regarding a special occasion such as Valentine’s Day. Hence, commemorating that special day known as Valentine’s Day is an innovation or bid`ah that has no religious support. 

Every innovation of that kind is prohibited and rejected, as far as Islam is concerned. Islam needs all Muslims to love one another all over the entire year, and decreasing the entire year to a single day is completely rejected. Hence, we Muslims should not follow in the ways of such innovations and fantasies that are common in what is known as Valentine’s Day. No doubt that are several irreligious practices that arise on that day and those practices are capable of discouraging people from the true meanings of love and humanity to the extent that the celebration is reduced to moral deterioration.

 

True Celebration:

People should love their countries and they must work hard so that their countries appear as Peace-Loving countries in the entire world. People should celebrate such kinds of days, which give the message of Peace Love instead of this Valentine's Day. 

Love is a word that is often read and heard in society. In the same way, every individual in society seems to be looking for it, although the scale of thinking and love of each seeker is different. When we study Islamic teachings, it becomes clear that Islam is a religion of love and brotherhood. Islam wants all people to live with love, affection, and brotherhood. But the sad thing is that in our society the word love has been defamed by giving the wrong color to love and many wrong forms of love have been created in society.