Valentine’s Day…and its position in Islam

Valentine’s Day…and its position in Islam

Let’s roast a turkey on Christmas day; it’s not as if we celebrate Christmas anyway…Why not book her engagement day for Valentine’s Day instead… In fact I think I should pick up a quick gift for him since it’s nearly the 14th of Feb…

These are just a few of the very familiar words that seem to escape the mouths of so many Muslims today…Infact Did you know that ‘Valentine’s Day’ is actually remembered and celebrated by so many different people around the world today, that statistics indicate it is second only to Christmas in fame and popularity…giving preference over many other religious and non-religious celebrations. Why not, after all it is the festival of love!

However beneath all this fun and enjoyment we appear to be experiencing during such occasions of the year, is a very important aspect that seems to have been deeply buried away…the aspect of Islam and its teachings with regards to such occasions. For it was narrated from Abu Saeed Radhiallahu Anhu that Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasalam said, ‘you will certainly follow the ways of those before you, hand span by hand span, cubit by cubit, until even if they entered the hole of a lizard, you will do so too’- we asked ‘O messenger of Allah, do you mean the Jews and the Christians?’ He said, ‘who else’. (Bukhari/ Muslim)

In fact in another Hadith Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasalam said, ‘The (final) hour will not begin until my Ummah follows in the footsteps of those who came before it, hand span by hand span, cubit by cubit…’ (Bukhari)

But can there really be so much harm, in uttering the words ‘happy Valentine ’s Day…or hurling out a quick card and present on the day, even if we don’t believe in all its nonsense? Well we ask you to read the following and answer for yourselves what significance this day, as well as many others has in the court of Allah and his final Prophet Muhammad salallahu alaihi wasalam. So how exactly did it all originate?

 It was actually one of the festivals of the Pagan Romans; more than 17 centuries ago. The Romans believed that Romulus, the founder of Rome, was suckled one day by a she-wolf, which gave him strength and wisdom. The Romans would celebrate this event in mid-February each year, with a big festival. Amongst the ugly rituals of this day, they would sacrifice a dog and a goat, and smear the blood onto two youths which they would then wash off with milk. These two youths would then lead a great parade of people and walk the streets lashing young women with pieces of leather.

This festival and its reason of celebration have connected myths and legends which no sound mind can accept, let alone the mind of the Muslim who believes in Allah, and His Final Messenger Salallahu Alaihi Wasalam. Of course already the above myth goes totally against the Aqeedah and belief of Muslims, as it is only Allah who bestows us strength and wisdom- not the milk of a she-wolf.

 Another common belief of this day is that when the Romans became Christians, the Roman Emperor Claudius decided that no man from his army can get married as it will divert him from fighting. Now a saint of the time, called Saint Valentine, disagreed with this and secretly got many soldiers married. When the Emperor found out, he put him in jail and sentenced him to execution. In prison, the Saint fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. But remember, all this was a secret, because according to the Christian laws, priests and monks were forbidden to marry or fall in love. This saint was killed and had his head chopped off on the 14th of February, therefore the Pope designated the day of the death of Saint Valentine (14th Feb) as a festival of love; today known as Valentine’s Day.

It was a total innovation and reminds us of the Ayat in which Allah says, “They (the Jews and the Christians) took their Rabbis and monks to be their Lords besides Allah,” (At Taubah). Meaning they obeyed their saints and leaders in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires, without being ordered by Allah.

 One of their false beliefs connected with this festival was that the names of girls who had reached marriageable age would be written on small rolls of paper and placed in a dish on a table. Then the young men who wanted to get married would be called and each of them would pick a piece of paper. He would put himself at the service of the girl whose name he had drawn for a year; then they would get married or repeat the same process the next year.

Allah forgive such filth, how wrong were these actions, how wrong is the belief of this day and yet it is being remembered and celebrated by thousands of Muslims, yes Muslims themselves. So wrong it is that even the Christian clergy reacted against this tradition, and the Church wished to ban the whole idea, for it was corrupting the morals of the men and women.

Therefore, whether you and I believe in such stories, whether today these customs are still believed and sanctified or not, to simply affirm to it by even 1% will be totally erroneous and impermissible for you and I as believing servants of Allah.

Many may not go so far, but if need be will participate in a school or work celebration by wearing an item of red on this day. Others will send cards and gifts whilst the least of these actions is simply to say, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day.’ Never the less, whatever it may be, big or small, all these acts are totally condemned in Islam and must be stopped by you and I. In fact, Ibn Al Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘with regards to congratulating others with the congratulations used by the Kufaar on such occasions, (like Happy Christmas, Happy Valentines,) is haram by scholarly consensus (ijma). Even if the one who says this is free of Kufr for it is like congratulating someone for prostrating to the cross. ‘

Therefore, whoever congratulates a person for sin, innovation or Kufr, exposes himself to the hatred and wrath of Allah. (Ahkaam Ahl-al-Dhimmah).

Whilst whoever celebrates it is celebrating an occasion of shirk and it is regarding the people of shirk that Allah has forbidden Paradise.

Besides dear listeners truly what does it mean to express ones love on one day of the year? What about the other 364 days of a year, where 4,000 wives lose their lives due to beating in America, 2 million women face beating in France, and 88% of love marriages end in failure.

Remember as Muslims there is a much better purpose in life then all of the above. We are taught to carry out the rights of our close and dear ones, every day, of every week of the year. Giving gifts can be done throughout the year why on this day that has no significance whatsoever in the eyes of Allah Subhanahu Watala.

In short our soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Let us strengthen it through our good deeds, and cultivate it via our attachment to Allah, his Prophet and his Deen. For in our desire to look the best, want the best, and be the best we are losing our identity as the best of Allah’s creation- ‘The believing nation’

We must always keep in mind that every good deed will make a difference in our scale of the heavens which we will one day come to see, whilst every sin has the potential to bring us down on that day. Let us leave this one act today solely for the pleasure of Allah so that in its happiness he brings us one more step closer to his pleasure and one leap further from his wrath and anger!

May Allah guide us, unite us, assist us and allow us to taste the true beauty and sweetness of Faith. Ameen

2ak’s Blog

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Valentines Day.. Yehhh

LET’S CELEBRATE!

By Roman Ahsan [Feb 14, 2013]

We here at “TOGETHER WE RISE!” do believe in love, compassion, mercy, care, forgiveness and tolerance. But we do not deem it necessary to drown ourselves in events like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day etc. By celebrating these events we are basically “limiting” our God-gifted domains of love. Though we are full of faults ourselves and there is good and bad in everyone regardless of faith, someone rightly retorted that how ironic it is that the same people who leave their parents in old homes when they need the most care (though there are many exceptions to this custom) would like to make us believe that celebrating such events can make us more loving. Is it not meaningful to keep a check on us as to which trends in the Western World are really healthy for us to copy and practice rather than blind emulation of everything?

Nature intends love to reside deep inside in our hearts and for us to manifest it to all beings around us. It is easy to express it to members of opposite gender on a single day than to care for your parents on a continuous basis when people do not want them around. And it should be kept in mind also that the poor people need our share of love too through any form of help or guidance.

Life is a jigsaw puzzle; let’s not confuse it further and define who we really are. It is time to keep our head high and be proud to be Muslims and Pakistanis. And before everything, let’s celebrate the lessons of humanity as we primarily need to be good human beings (with our identity as Muslims, the benchmark) to cast an influence in this world!

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Celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

Question
Are Muslims allowed to celebrate Mothers day and Fathers day? please explain

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Islam does not recognize the concept of Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. In fact, to single out just one day of the year to honour our fathers and mothers is an embarrassment and humiliation to our parents. Every single moment of our lives is for our fathers and our mothers. Shariah has placed much emphasis on the rights of parents.

Mother’s Day celebration started after the civil war in the United States in the 1860s, by Ann Reeves Jarvis. Her intention was to reconcile the differences between the mothers of the Confederate and the Union Soldiers of West Virginia. This effort was again re-established by Julia Ward Howe in 1870. The businessmen saw this as an opportunity to increase their profit margins and so gave it their support. In 1908 with the effort of Anna Jarvis, the daughter of Ann Jarvis, Mother’s Day was acknowledged as a commercial holiday.

Subsequently, Father’s Day was commenced in 1909 by Sonora Smart Dodd whose mother had passed away. She along with her other five brothers and sisters were raised by her father and her intention was to honour him for his effort in raising his six children by himself.

Over time Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were cemented in the hearts of the people and became holidays.

It is conclusive from the above that these holidays are not religious in nature. They were instituted by Americans who were trying to bring peace amongst each other after the civil war.

Islam places strong emphasis on enjoining family ties. There should be respect amongst family members all the time and no one day is needed to be singled out for this.

Non-Muslims at times may do things that seem appealing. Muslim should not be caught up in the celebrations and traditions of non-Muslims.

Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala Says:
And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and do good to parents (Quran 17:23). On another occasion, Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala, says أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ}} (Be grateful to Me and to your parents 31:14)

It is reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar Radiyallahu Anhu that a man whose parents were alive came to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam seeking permission to go in Jihad. The Messenger of AllahSallallahu Alaihi Wasalam told him to carry out jihad in the service of his parents.[1]

It is evident from the above that one should continuously be in the service of their parents even if they are non-Muslims.[2]

In Sahih Al-Bukhari it is reported on the authority of Abdulillah Ibn Umar that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalamsaid that the noblest thing that a child can do for a father after his death is to treat his friends well.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam says that Jannat lies at the feet of the mother, such that one is not even allowed to go in search of Deeni Knowledge without the permission of his mother.[3]

It is mentioned in one hadith that four times a man asked Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam who was more deserving of his companionship. On the first three occassions Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam says your motherwas more deserving. Then on the fourth occasion he Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam said thereafter your father.[4]

These are just a few of the occasions on which the importance of the parents are being highlighted, to show that at all times parents should be honoured.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mawlana Saeed Ahmed Golaub
Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved
Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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THE BID’AH OF LAILATUL MI’RAAJ

Email: muftis@themajlis.net

28 Rajab 1433 – 19 June 2012
THE BID’AH OF LAILATUL MI’RAAJ
(Title by The Majlis)
By Mufti Taqi Usmani

Celebration of Lailatul Mi’raj
It is generally believed that the great event of Mi’raj (ascension of the Holy Prophet to the heavens) took place in the night of 27th of Rajab. Therefore, some people celebrate the night as “Lailatul- Mi’raj” (the night of ascension to heavens).
Indeed, the event of mi’raj was one of the most remarkable episodes in the life of our beloved Holy Prophet . He was called by Almighty Allah. He traveled from Makkah to Baitul-Maqdis and from there he ascended the heavens through the miraculous power of Allah. He was honored with a direct contact with his Creator at a place where even the angels had no access. This was the unique honor conferred by Allah to the Holy Prophet alone. It was the climax of the spiritual progress which is not attained by anybody except him. No doubt the night in which he was blessed with this unparalleled honor was one of the greatest nights in the history of this world.
But, Islam has its own principles with regard to the historic and religious events. Its approach about observing festivals and celebrating days and nights is totally different from the approach of other religions. The Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet did not prescribe any festival or any celebration to commemorate an event from the past, however remarkable it might have been. Instead, Islam has prescribed two annual celebrations only. One is Eid-ul-Fitr and the other is Eid ul-Adha. Both of these festivals have been fixed at a date on which the Muslims accomplish a great ‘ibadah (worship) every year. Eid-ul-Fitr has been prescribed after the fasts of Ramadan, while Eid-ul-Adha has been fixed when the Muslims perform the Hajj annually. None of these two eids is designed to commemorate a particular event of the past which has happened in these dates. This approach is indicative of the fact that the real occasion for a happy celebration is the day in which the celebrators themselves have accomplished remarkable work through their own active effort. As for the accomplishments of our ancestors, their commemoration should not be restricted to a particular day or night. Instead, their accomplishments must be remembered every day in the practical life by observing their teachings and following the great examples they have set for us.

Keeping this principle in view, the following points should be remembered with regard to the “Lailatul-mi’raj”:
(1) We cannot say with absolute certainty in which night the great event of mi’raj took place. Although some traditions relate this event to 27th night of the month of Rajab, yet there are other traditions that suggest other dates. Al-Zurqani, the famous biographer of the Holy Prophet has referred to five different views in this respect: Rabi-ul-Awwal, Rabi-u-Thani, Rajab, Ramadan and Shawwal. Later, while discussing different traditions, he has added a sixth opinion, that the mi’raj took place in the month of Zulhijjah.
Allama Abdulhaq Muhaddith Dehlawi, the well-known scholar of the Indian subcontinent, has written a detailed book on the merits of Islamic months. While discussing the ‘Lailatul-mi’raj’ has mentioned that most of the scholars are of the view that the event of mi’raj took place in the month of Ramadan or in Rabi-ul-awwal.

(2) It is also not known in which year the event of Mi’raj took place. The books of history suggest a wide range between the fifth-year and the twelfth year after the Holy Prophet was entrusted with prophethood.
Now, if it is assumed that the event of Mi’raj took place in the fifth year of his prophethood, it will mean that the Holy Prophet remained in this world for eighteen years after this event. Even if it is presumed that the mi’raj took place in the twelfth year of his prophethood, his remaining life-time after this event would be eleven years. Throughout this long period, which may range between eleven years and eighteen years, the Holy Prophet never celebrated the event of mi’raj, nor did he give any instruction about it. No one can prove that the Holy Prophet ever performed some specific modes of worship in a night calling it the ‘Lailatul-mi’raj’ or advised his followers to commemorate the event in a particular manner.

(3) After the demise of the Holy Prophet also, no one of his companions is reported to celebrate this night as a night of special acts of worship. They were the true devotees of the Holy Prophet and had devoted their lives to preserve every minute detail of the sunnah of the Holy Prophet and other Islamic teachings. Still, they did not celebrate the event of mi’raj in a particular night in a particular way.
All these points go a long way to prove that the celebration of the 27th night of Rajab, being the lailatul-mi’raj has no basis in the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet or in the practice of his noble companions. Had it been a commendable practice to celebrate this night, the exact date of this event would have been preserved accurately by the Ummah and the Holy Prophet and his blessed companions would have given specific directions for it.
Therefore, it is not a Sunnah to celebrate the Lailatul-mi’raj’. We cannot declare any practice as a sunnah unless it is established through authentic sources that the Holy Prophet or is noble Companions have recognized it as such, otherwise it may become a bid’ah about which the Holy Prophet has observed in the following words: “Whoever invents something in our religion which is not a part of it, it is to be rejected.”
Being mindful of this serious warning, we should appreciate that the 27th night of the month of Rajab is not like ‘Lailatul-qadr’ or ‘Lailatul-bara’ah’ for which special merits have been mentioned expressly either y the Holy Qur’an or by the Holy Prophet .
However, all the recognized modes of ‘ibadah (worship) like Salat, recitation of the Holy Qur’an, dhikr, etc. are commendable any time, especially in the late hours of night, and obviously the 27th night of Rajab is not an exception. Therefore, if someone performs any recognized ‘ibadah in this night from this point of view nothing can stop him from doing so, and he will be entitled to the thawab (reward allocated for that recognized ‘ibadah insha-Allah.) But it is not permissible to believe that performing ‘ibadah in this night is more meritorious or carries more thawab like ‘Lailatul-qadr’ or ‘Lailatul-bara’ah’, because this belief is not based on any authentic verse or on a sunnah of the Holy Prophet . Similarly, it is not a correct practice to celebrate this night collectively and to invite people to special ritual congregations.

(4) Some people suggest some special modes of worship to be performed in this night. Since no special mode of worship is prescribed by the Shari’ah in this night, these suggestions are devoid of any authority and should not be acted upon.
It is believed by some that the Muslims should keep fast on 27th of Rajab. Although there are some traditions attributing special merits to the fast of this day yet the scholars of hadith have held these traditions as very weak and unauthentic reports which cannot be sufficient to establish a rule of Shari’ah. On the contrary, there is an authentic report that Sayyidna ‘Umar, Radi-Allahu anhu, used to forbid people from fasting on this day, rather to compel them to eat if they had started fasting.
It should be borne in mind here that a “nafl” fast can be observed any day (except the six prohibited days of the year); therefore, fasting on 27th of Rajab is not prohibited in itself. What is prohibited is the belief that fasting on this day is more meritorious than fasting in other normal days. One should not fast in this day with this belief. But if someone fasts therein, believing it to be a normal nafl fast, there is no bar against it.”

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Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns— Symbols of Paganism and Christianity

Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns—
Symbols of Paganism and Christianity

Allah Ta’ala declares:

“O Believers! If you follow any group from among those who were given a Scripture, they will convert you to kaafirs after you having Imaan.” (Surah Aali Imraan, 100)

Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said:
“Whosoever imitates a nation, then verily he is from among them.” (Abu Dawood, Ahmad)
Easter is the principal Christian feasting period associated with which are a plethora of shirk and kufr beliefs. Christians regard Easter as the most sacred celebration in the whole year as it was at Easter-time according to Christian belief that ‘Jesus’ (their ‘god’) died for the sins of the whole of mankind and was subsequently resurrected.
In view of the importance of this period according to Christians, many customs of paganism and kufr have been upheld by the adherents of Christianity for this occasion throughout the world. Amongst these customs are the practices associated with ‘Easter Eggs’ and ‘Hot Cross Buns’.

The Encyclopaedia Americana has the following to say about Easter Eggs:
“Eggs, for example, are central to a variety of Easter customs. A number of explanations have been suggested. Formerly, eggs were forbidden during the Lenten fast but could again be eaten at Easter. Thus, decorated eggs could symbolize the end of the penitential season and the beginning of joyful celebration. Also, eggs, as traditional symbols of life and creation, suggest the Resurrection. Likewise, eggs, colored like the rays of the returning sun or the northern lights, symbolize the return of spring. In any case, it has become customary in many places to decorate and exchange eggs at Easter. Sometimes, eggs are blessed in church.”
The F & W’s New Encyclopaedia further adds:
“Scholars, however, accepting the derivation proposed by the 8th century English scholar, St. Bede believe it probably comes from Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility, to whom was dedicated a month corresponding to April. Her festival was celebrated on the day of vernal equinox; traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts.”
The Lion Easter Book clarifies the symbol easter eggs hold in Christianity. It states: “For Christians the egg became a picture of Jesus rising to new life from his dark tomb.”
Similarly, the ‘Hot Cross Bun’ is also an Easter tradition initiated by pagan people and kept alive by Christianity. The following quotations are reproduced from the book, The Lion Easter Book:
Like all good festivals, Easter has its own share of special foods. Hot cross buns, eaten on Good Friday, are still popular in Europe and in the USA…
In bygone centuries, people used to believe that hot cross buns had special magical powers, provided that they were baked on Good Friday…Perhaps such buns were made long ago, when the cross was a pagan sign. But Christianity remembers Jesus’ death on a cross on the first Good Friday.”
From the above citatations it is abundantly clearly that ‘Easter Eggs’ and ‘Hot Cross Buns’ are nothing but symbols of pagan beliefs and Christian tradition. Associating with this evil tradition in any way is absolutely Haraam for Muslims. Buying and trading with these symbols of kufr and shirk can never be permissible. How can Muslims—those who proclaim the Wahdaaniyat (Unity) of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu—uphold a kufr tradition by buying, selling and gluttonously devouring easter eggs and hot cross buns?
Surely it will send a cold shiver down the spine of a Mu’min to buy or sell a Cross-chain. In the same way, when the ‘Easter Egg’ and ‘Hot Cross Bun’ are nothing but integral features of Christianity it can never be permissible to buy, sell and eat these objects. Any money obtained by the sale of these kufr and shirk contaminated items is unlawful and waajibut tasadduq. It will necessarily have to be expunged from one’s wealth by giving it to the poor without intention for thawaab.
Eating and feasting on these haraam Christian symbols are bound to adversely affect the Imaan of the wrongdoer drawing him/her closer to the ultimate indulgence in kufr and shirk thus eliminating Imaan. May Allah Ta’ala save us from such a horrible end.
With the prepondence of kufr, shirk, fisq and fujoor festivals, customs, shows and gatherings during the Easter period is there any wonder then that the Athaab (punishment) of Allah Ta’ala manifests itself in the form of death and destruction on the roads of South Africa over this period in particular?

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