Opening the Veil of "Valentine's Day Dangers"

The frenetic pace of Valentine's Day has begun to appear here and there, starting from the attributes of promos and slogans about affection that also enliven the day entitled affection. On the other hand, Muslims – especially teenagers – carefree participate in the festivities even if they only exchange chocolate "gifts" or simply say "Valentine's Day".

For Muslims who study and understand the Qur'an and the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, their lifestyle is not easily influenced by the development of a human way of thinking that is free from religious influence. Likewise, Muslim teenagers, the spirit in fighting for Islam should not be slumped with just a chocolate bar or Valentine's Day greetings, instead continue to preach inviting other Islamic teenagers to reject Valentine's Day celebrations.

The forerunner of the celebration of Valentine's Day

The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. XV subtitles St. Valentine wrote down 3 names of Valentines who died on February 14. Nevertheless there was never an explanation of who "St. St. Valentine" is meant, also with the story that is never known because each source tells a different story.

According to the first version, Emperor Claudius II ordered the capture and imprisonment of St. Claudius II. Valentine for declaring his God to be Jesus and refusing to worship the gods of the Romans. People who crave St.Valentine then write letters and put them on the trellis of his prison.

The second version tells that Emperor Claudius II considered young bachelor soldiers to be more stoic and strong on the battlefield than married people. The emperor then forbade the young men to marry, but St.Valentine violated him and secretly married many young men so he was arrested and hanged on February 14, 269 AD.

The third version tells that the afternoon before Saint Valentinus was about to die as a martyr (died as a hero for fighting for trust), he wrote a small declaration of love that he gave to his prison warden that read "From your Valentinus".

Dangers of Valentine's Day for Muslim Youth

First Danger: Celebrating Valentine's Day = Celebrating the culture of the Infidels

The Messenger of Allah explained in general terms so that we do not imitate the infidels. The Messenger of Allah SAW said,

مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ

"Whoever resembles the imprint of a kindred, then he belongs to them." (HR. Ahmad and Abu Dawud.

It is clear that Valentine's day is a celebration of paganism, then adopted into a Nashrani religious ritual. To celebrate is to be a part of them.

Second Danger: Attending the Celebration of the Infidels Is Not a Characteristic of the Faithful

Allah Ta'ala has characterized the nature of the faithful. They are people who do not attend the rituals or celebrations of the musyriks and this means that Muslims should not celebrate other religious celebrations such as Valenitne's Day. Allah Ta'ala said,

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا

"And those who don't witness the deeds, and when they meet (people) who do useless deeds, they go through (only) preserving their honor." (QS. Al Furqan [25]: 72)

What az zuur means is the celebration of the musyriks. Thus the opinion of Ar Robi' bin Anas. So, attending Valentine's Day celebrations is not a characteristic of the nature of the faithful because obviously the day is not a Muslim holiday.

Third Danger: A Person Will Be With His Likes in the Doomsday

If one loves Allah and His Messenger, then he will get the following virtues.

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ أَنَّ أَعْرَابِيًّا قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَتَى السَّاعَةُ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا قَالَ حُبَّ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ قَالَ أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ

From Anas bin Malik, that an Arab came and asked the Messenger of Allah SAW, "When will the Doomsday come?" The Messenger of Allah replied, "What have you prepared?" He replied; Love Allah Azza wa Jalla & His Messenger. The Messenger of Allah SAW said: "You are with whom you love". [HR. Muslim No.4775].

Ponder the hadith above, that people gather with their likes in the Doomsday. It is clear that pastor Valentine is a christian who has confirmed Allah Almighty hence the warning for muslim teenagers who attend, celebrating Valentine's Day will be together with their loved ones on the day of Judgment in the future.

Fourth Danger: A "congratulations" bears fruit of intoxication and misfortune

"Valentine" actually comes from Latin meaning: "The Mighty, the All-Powerful and the Almighty". The word is addressed to Nimrod and Lupercus, the god of the Romans. (From various sources) Therefore whether we realize it or not, if we ask people to be "To be my valentine", it is the same as asking people to be "the Almighty". This kind of congratulations is hated more by God than one congratulates a person who drinks, kills souls, commits adultery, or congratulates others."

Fifth Danger: Valentine's Day = the day of the celebration of adultery

Valentine's Day celebrations in the present day are shifting. If in Roman times, it was very closely related to the world of gods and heretical mythology, then in Christian times it was used as part of the symbol of the celebration of religious days, then in the present day it is synonymous with the promiscuity of young people in the name of the spirit of love. For example, dating, holding hands, hugging, kissing, and even extramarital sexual relations among fellow teenagers have become commonplace.

The Sixth Danger: Imitating Satan's Deeds

On the eve of Valentine's Day, various kinds of gifts, gifts and souvenirs sell well. Even books that "teach" teenagers to commit adultery dare to appear. Not to mention the very cheap hotel promos in order to welcome Valentine's Day. The alleged brown gift is that there are contraceptives and so on. What is meant is to squander money on sex. God said,

وَلا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ

"And you shall not squander (your property) lavishly. Indeed, those wasters are the brothers of the shaitan." (QS. Al Isro' [17]: 26-27).

"Only one who is closed in heart and deified lust is reluctant to accept the truth."

Wallahu A'lam.[]