Bismihi Ta`ala

*MUSLIMS CANNOT CELEBRATE ST VALENTINE.* Celebration of St Valentine day is an emblem of the Christian faith. As such celebrating St Valentine day on 14th Febuary is associated with the Christian Anglican faith(refer to notes at the end). As such muslims CANNOT take part in the St Valentine. One cannot accept or give gifts on that connection. The beloved prophet SAW came to perfect the religion of Islam and he has been an example of compassion and love to one and all. He instructed men to show love and compassion to their spouses on their daily basis. Not yearly basis. The beloved prophet SAW said: ‘‘Exchange gifts, you will love each other.’’(Baihaqi) The beloved prophet SAW used to take the sip of water from the same place of the wife`s lips. Sitting and eating in the same plate, he used to offer a morsel of the meal to the wife. The concept of love is lived daily by a muslim couple. The wife also attend to give surprise to the husband by preparing a good meal or by adorning herself with beautiful clothing and cosmetics for a pleasurable intimacy, etc. All these has to be continued even after years of marriage. Sometimes it should be done purposely and religiously. The beloved prophet SAW said: ‘‘Choose a wife that is a lover and can conceive for children.’’(Abu Dawood) Therefore understand that it needs will power from both sides after years of marriage to cultivate a couple relation. That is why the best husband is the one who can continue offer the wife comfort, care, love and compassion until the end. The same is reciprocally applied to the wife. But know that it is the husband that initiates talk and care at home.In view of promoting love and care between the couple, the Qur-aan instructs us to say salaam. The beloved prophet SAW said to Annas r.a: ‘‘O my boy, when you enter the house of your family, then say Salaam. As this will be a blessing for you and also for the family in the house.’’(Tirmizi) The beloved prophet SAW instructed women neighbours to exchange gifts daily to each other by sending a little piece of meal cooked:عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُعَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ يَا نِسَاءَ الْمُسْلِمَاتِ لَا تَحْقِرَنَّ جَارَةٌ لِجَارَتِهَا وَلَوْ فِرْسِنَ شَاةٍبخاريThe beloved prophet SAW said: ‘‘O Muslim women! Do not belittle anything to send to your woman neighbour, even if it is a sheep`s hoof.’’(Bukhari)The spirit of the hadith explain to us that times to times, do send for something to your female neighbour, even if it is something small and simple that you cooked or a piece meal of your cooking. The beloved prophet SAW said: ‘‘Exchange gifts often as this  take out the bitterness of the heart for each other.’’(Tirmizi) Exchanging gifts does not await a specific day of the year as mother`s, father`s, spouses, etc. But rather it is done often and continuously, according to one`s means. Finally let`s refresh the topic that it is NOT permissible for any muslim to exchange gifts on the Christian St Valentine occasion nor should we feel unespecial if we did not receive any gift that day. Mufti Mackoojee References:According to history, each year on February 14th, many people exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special “valentine.” The day of romance we call Valentine’s Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.Another encyclopaedia: It originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honoring one or more early saints named Valentinus, and is recognized as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country. A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome which indicated he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius, and before his execution, he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine” as a farewell.Saint Valentine’s Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church.