Question:

Annually, on the 14th of February, many questions are asked about Valentine's Day, specifically whether celebrating it is permissible (halal) or forbidden (haram).

Answer:

All praise and thanks are due to Allah the Exalted. Peace and blessings be upon our master the Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions, and his followers until the Day of Judgment.

Before I provide the answer, I would like to present two very important preliminary points:

First: It is self-evident that love is a fundamental pillar in Islam, as our faith is founded on an immense love for Allah Almighty. Allah says: "…but those who believe are stronger in love for Allah." (Al-Baqarah: 165).

This is to such an extent that our faith is not complete or perfect until our love for Allah the Exalted and His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is greater, stronger, and more profound than our love for ourselves, our families, our wealth, and our children.

Islam has made it a duty for Muslims to love one another. Therefore, it has commanded Muslims to be like a single body in their affection, mercy, love for one another, cooperation, and mutual support, so that the Islamic brotherhood may be realized among them.

It also commands love of goodness, mercy, charity, and justice for all people, as the saying goes: "The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people." At the same time, we have a human brotherhood among us, which necessitates having love of goodness for all human beings. A Muslim should also love their environment and nature, because nature and the environment are our mother; we were created from it, we return to it, and on the Day of Resurrection, we will emerge from it.

Certainly, love between Muslims in Islam is a matter of great significance, to the extent that this love will place them under the shade of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. Islam has also linked love and faith together. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Narrated by Bukhari, Hadith No. 13, Muslim, No. 45, and other hadith scholars).

Within this framework, love for one's mother, father, siblings, and all other relatives is exemplified.

As for the love between two spouses (husband and wife) and the existence of affection and mercy between them, this falls into the category of duties and obligations. Allah Almighty says: "And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy…" (Ar-Rum: 21).

Second: In reality, the concept of love in Islam is a constant and continuous matter. It has no specific time or designated day because it is from God and is perpetual, not a temporary, fabricated thing.

What is known as Valentine's Day is a Roman festival associated with a priest named Valentine, for whom an execution order was issued on February 14, 269 AD.

Later, this occasion was turned into a festival for lovers, in which they engage in the spreading of vice and indecency. Therefore, this occasion is tied to a priest, associated with forbidden and unlawful romantic love, and at the same time, is used to spread violations, evil, sin, and immoral acts. This has a negative impact on the identity and distinctiveness of the Ummah and connects it to the practices of others.

It is well-known that the term 'Eid' (festival) in Islam is strictly limited to the two legislated Eids: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is an undeniable fact that every nation has its own festivals. We Muslims have only our two blessed Eids, which are full of solidarity and cooperation among Muslims, as well as an expression of gratitude to Allah for the completion of two important pillars of Islam: fasting and pilgrimage (Hajj).

Based on what we have clarified above, what is called the 'Festival of Love' is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah). Its purpose is to facilitate and pave the way for immoral and indecent acts under its guise. It is also a blind imitation of non-Muslims. The majority of contemporary jurists are in agreement that this is an invalid and illegitimate practice.

Therefore, it is not permissible to celebrate this foreign occasion. Rather, it is the duty of Muslims to protect their faith-based and moral identity and the distinctiveness of their religion, which is under various severe and unjust attacks aimed at making them abandon their authentic identity. Allah Almighty has promised—and His promise is true and just—to protect this religion until the Day of Judgment. Allah says: "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an, and indeed, We will be its guardian." (Al-Hijr: 9).
Thus, happiness and success are for the one who preserves the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH).

We have written this, and Allah knows best the truth and correctness of His religion.

Peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, his family, companions, and followers until the Day of Judgment.

The servant in need of his Lord's mercy,

Prof. Dr. Ali Muhiyddin al-Qaradaghi
Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars
President of the Humanitarian League Organization