Fatwa ID: 05980
Answered by: Alimah Sofia Mirza
Question:
Some people celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14 by exchanging red roses, dressing in red, and congratulating one another on that day. Some cake shops make heart-shaped cakes in red and draw hearts on them and other shops advertise special items on sale for this day. What is your opinion on:
First: Celebrating this day?
Second: Buying from these stores on this day?
Third: Shop owners who do not celebrate this day selling gifts to be given by those who do celebrate it?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
“The origin of Valentine’s Day dates to the ancient Romans may also be responsible for the name of our modern day of love. Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the third century. Their martyrdom was honoured by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day.”1 Hence it can be understood that this celebration is associated with the Christians and Muslims should not indulge in acts practised by the non-Muslims as has been mentioned in the hadith “Whosoever emulates a nation is amongst them” (Abu Dawud, Al Misbah, 35122), furthermore you should not be buying anything with the intention of celebrating valentine’s day. As for selling these items as a shop owner it is also not permitted as it is assisting the non-believers in conducting the holiday and it has been mentioned in the verse “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah, indeed, Allah is severe in penalty”3, if however the products such as chocolates and gifts are sold every other day and not for valentine specifically it will be permissible.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Alimah Sofia Mirza
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
1 https://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day
2 مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ
3 وتعاونوا على البر والتقوى ولا تعاونوا على الإثم والعدوان واتقوا الله إن الله شديد العقاب
