Valentines Day and Islam

Rather than being geared towards modernization, our country is well on its course towards westernization. One aspect of western tradition now being followed by the youth and adults alike of today is the celebration of Valentines Day. The origin, the purpose and the culture associated behind Valentines Day is not known by these youth, yet on every fourteenth of February, this day is celebrated with vigor and excitement. It is a sad depiction how Muslims are following the myths and traditions laid down originally by the Christians.


The scenario has worsened with the introduction of mass communication via mobile texts and emails. Greetings of Valentines Day are spread across the country via mass media as well. It is all an era of globalization where the Western country is taking complete control of the mass media, mass communication and cultural values.
It saddens me. As Lahore was shook heavily via twin blasts in R.A bazaar, the youth of today was gearing up to celebrate the day they term as the Valentines day. A social nuisance originated from the West, it has its branches well spread among us by now.
In the light of Islam, celebrating happy occasions is not forbidden. Islam does not forbid any occasion that could bring people closer to each other. However, Valentines Day and the concept behind it is a completely different thing. It a concept originated from the Western nations. Muslims should not by any means imitate a concept that comes glorifying the Western values. There is not one Surah or Hadith that backs up the celebration of Valentines Day. Further, for a Muslim, each day of the year is supposed to be equal and each day means loving fellow Muslims. Narrowing it down to just one day just does not do it justice. Hence, we Muslims ought not to follow in the footsteps of such innovations and superstitions that are common in what is known as the Valentine’s Day. No doubt that there are many irreligious practices that occur on that day and those practices are capable of dissuading people from the true meanings of love and altruism to the extent that the celebration is reduced to a moral decline.
To add on to the injury, it has become a custom and traditions to throw parties and concerts on Valentines Day. Liquor drinking, late night dance parties is not a thing unknown to the Muslims of today. It is sad how the youth of today is on its way following the un-Islamic cultural values of the Western nations.