Sunday, February 27, 2011

MzLiC aUDio

Maher Zain Live in Concert - Kuala Lumpur .m4a

FrEeDoM.........




Maher Zain - Freedom ( Official Lyric )

Gathered here with my family
My neighbours and my friends
Standing firm together against oppression holding hands
It doesn't matter where you're from
Or if you're young, old, women or man
We're here for the same reason; we want to take back our land

Oh God thank you
For giving us the strength to hold on
And now we're here together

Calling you for freedom, freedom
We know you can hear our call ooh
We're calling for freedom, fighting for freedom
We know you won’t let us fall oh
We know you're here with us

No more being prisoners in our homes
No more being afraid to talk
Our dream is just to be free, just to be free
Now when we've taking our first step
Towards a life of complete freedom
We can see our dream getting closer and closer, we're almost there

Oh God thank you
For giving us the strength to hold on
And now we're here together

Calling you for freedom, freedom
We know you can hear our call ooh
We're calling for freedom, fighting for freedom
We know you won’t let us fall oh
We know you're here with us

I can feel the pride in the air
And it makes me strong to see everyone
Standing together holding hands in unity
Shouting out load demanding their right for freedom
This is it and we're not backing of
Oh God we know you hear our call

And we're calling you for freedom, freedom
We know you can hear our call ooh
We're calling for freedom, calling for freedom
We know you won’t let us fall oh
We know you're here with us

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Bahaya Rokok


Segala puji hanya bagi Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, shalawat dan salam semoga tetap tercurahkan kepada baginda Rasulullah shalallahu ‘alai wasallam, dan aku bersaksi bahwa tiada Tuhan yang berhak disembah dengan sebenarnya selain Allah yang Maha Esa dan tiada sekutu bagi -Nya dan aku bersaksi bahwa Muhammad adalah hamba dan utusan -Nya.. Amma Ba’du:

Di antara kemaksiatan yang tersebar ditengah masyarakat muslim dan banyak orang yang terjebak padanya adalah perbuatan merokok. Tidak tersembunyi bagi orang yang memahami (maqashid syar’iyah) kemaslahatan yang diinginkan oleh syari’at bahwa merokok adalah perbuatan yang diharamkan, hal itu dilihat dari beberapa segi:

Pertama: Rokok termasuk barang yang buruk dan Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala telah berfirman:

(Yaitu) orang-orang yang mengikut Rasul, Nabi yang umi yang (namanya) mereka dapati tertulis di dalam Taurat dan Injil yang ada di sisi mereka, yang menyuruh mereka mengerjakan yang makruf dan melarang mereka dari mengerjakan yang mungkar dan menghalalkan bagi mereka segala yang baik dan mengharamkan bagi mereka segala yang buruk dan membuang dari mereka beban-beban dan belenggu-belenggu yang ada pada mereka Maka orang-orang yang beriman kepadanya, memuliakannya, menolongnya dan mengikuti cahaya yang terang yang diturunkan kepadanya (Al Qur'an), mereka itulah orang-orang yang beruntung. (QS. Al-A’rof: 157)

Tidak diragukan lagi bahwa merokok termasuk keburukan, dan tidak ada yang mengingkari bahayanya kecuali orang yang sombong, atau orang yang mengikuti hawa nafsu, dan banyak orang meminum khamar serta kecanduan dengan obat-obat terlarang karena diawali oleh rokok lalu berkembang kepada yang labih bahaya, sekalipun mereka telah diingatkan : bahwa penelitian medis menunjukkan 80% dari orang yang kecanduan obat-obat terlarang dimulai dari merokok.

Kedua: Merokok adalah bentuk menjerumuskan diri pada kehancuran. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

“...dan janganlah kamu menjatuhkan dirimu sendiri ke dalam kebinasaan dan berbuat baiklah, sesungguhnya Allah mencintai orang-orang yang berbuat kebaikan”.(QS. Al-Baqarah: 195)

Dan Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfrman:

Dan janganlah kamu membunuh dirimu; sesungguhnya Allah adalah Maha Penyayang kepadamu. (QS. Al-Nisa’: 29)

Di dalam As-Shahihaini dari Abi Hurairah RA bahwa Nabi Muhammad shalallahu ‘alai wasallam bersabda, “Barangsiapa yang menelan racun lalu dia membunuh dirinya dengan racun tersebut, maka racun itu akan berada pada tangannya yang akan ditelannya di dalam api nerakan Jahannam dia kekal untuk selamanya padanya, dan barangsiapa yang membunuh dirinya dengan besi, maka besi itu di tangannya yang akan memukul perutnya di dalam neraka Jahannam untuk selama-lamanya”.[1]

Di dalam as-shahihaini dari Tsabit Al-Dhahaak bahwa Nabi Muhammad shalallahu ‘alai wasallam bersabda, “Barangsiapa yang membunuh dirinya dengan sesuatu di dunia maka dia akan disiksa dengannya pada hari kiamat”.[2]

Dan tidak diragukan lagi bahwa apabila orang yang merokok mati disebabkan oleh rokok tersebut maka dia dianggap telah membunuh dirinya dengan kandungan racun yang terdapat di dalam rokok sekalipun proses terbunuhnya tersebut agak lambat, sebab tidak ada perbedaan antara para ulama bahwa orang yang melangkah untuk membunuh dirinya baik dia mati dengan cepat atau lambat, dia tetap berdosa dengan perbuatannya tersebut.

Ketiga: Merokok dapat mengganggu kesehatan badan. Dan para dokter telah memperingatkan dengan keras terhadap akibat merokok ini, mereka berkata, “Rokok tersebut mengandung beberapa unsur racun, di antaranya adalah racun nikotin, dan seandainya dua tetes racun ini diteteskan pada mulut anjing maka dia pasti mati pada saat yang sama, dan jika diteteskan pada mulut onta sejumlah lima tetes maka dia akan mati pada saat yang sama dan seorang dokter pernah berkata, “Sesungguhnya jumlah nikotin yang teradapat pada satu batang rokok sudah cukup untuk membunuh manusia jika dituangkan pada manusia melalui urat leher, dan disebutkan dalam sebuah cerita bahawa dua orang bersaudara saling bertaruh siapakah di antara mereka berdua yang paling banyak merokok, maka salah seorang dari mereka mati sebelum mengisap rokok yang ke tujuh belas dan yang lain sebelum habis mengisap rokok yang ke delapan belas.

Di antara penyakit yang ditimbulkan oleh merokok adalah penyakit kanker. Para dokter berkata, “Sesungguhnya banyak para penderita kanker yang mengidap penyakit ini disebabkan oleh merokok, begitu juga dengan penyakit lever dan saluran alat pernapasan.

Diriwayatkan oleh Imam Ahmad di dalam musnadnya dari Ibnu Abbas bahwa Nabi Muhammad shalallahu ‘alai wasallam bersabda, “Tidak ada mudharat dan memudharatkan orang lain”.[3]

Keempat: Mengisap rokok adalah bentuk menyia-nyiakan harta. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Sesungguhnya pemboros-pemboros itu adalah saudara-saudara setan dan setan itu adalah sangat ingkar kepada Tuhannya. (QS. Al-Isro’: 27)

Dan tidak diragukan lagi bahwa perokok adalah orang yang paling pemboros, seandainya kita melihat seseorang yang sedang memegang uang di tangannya lalu dia membakarnya maka kita akan mengatakan bahwa dia gila.

Diriwayatkan oleh Al-Turmudzi di dalam sunannya dari Abi Barzah Al-Aslami bahwa Nabi Muhammad shalallahu ‘alai wasallam bersabda, “Tidak akan melangkah dua kaki seorang hamba pada hari kiamat sehingga dia akan ditanya tentang umurnya di manakah dia habiskan, tentang ilmunya apakah yang diperbuat dengannya, tentang hartanya dari manakah dia dapatkan dan kemanakah disalurkan”.[4]

Kelima: Bahaya merokok tidak hanya terhenti pada pelakunya, bahkan bahayanya bisa menyebar kepada istrinya, anak-anaknya, keluarga dan teman duduknya dan hal itu telah diakui oleh para dokter, bahkan tindakan ini telah membawa pada tercemarnya udara dengan gas beracun yang dipancarkannya, dan telah dijelaskan dalam hadits sebelumnya: Tidak ada mudharat dan memudharatkan orang lain”.[5]

Keenam: Merokok akan menimbulkan bau tidak sedap yang bersumber dari mulut, badan dan pakaian perokok, dia akan menganggu teman duduknya, terlebih pada saat memasuki mesjid dan bercampur dengan orang-orang yang shalat. Dan Nabi Muhammad shalallahu ‘alai wasallam telah memerintahkan kepada orang yang menebarkan bau bawang untuk keluar dari mesjid, padahal kedua barang tersebut dihalalkan oleh Allah SWT, lantas sekeras apakah larangannya jika perkara tersebut berkaitan dengan perokok?. Dan Nabi Muhammad shalallahu ‘alai wasallam bersabda, “Barangsiapa yang telah memakan bawang merah dan bawang putih serta bawang bakung maka janganlah dia mendekati mesjid kita, sebab para malaikat merasa terganggu dengan sesuatu yang bisa menganggu anak Adam”.[6]

Di antara perkara yang perlu diingat bahwa harus memboikot semua toko-toko yang menjajakan racun kepada manusia, dan sebaliknya mendukung toko-toko yang tidak menjual rokok, dan inilah bentuk kerja sama dalam urusan kebaikan dan taqwa. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Dan tolong-menolonglah kamu dalam (mengerjakan) kebaikan dan takwa, dan jangan tolong-menolong dalam berbuat dosa dan pelanggaran. Dan bertakwalah kamu kepada Allah, sesungguhnya Allah amat berat siksa -Nya. (QS. Al-Maidah: 2)

Sebagian orang terkadang berkata: Aku tidak bisa meninggalkan rokok, maka dikatakan kepadanya: Anda mampu meninggalkan rokok pada bulan ramadhan lebih dari sepuluh jam, maka masalahnya adalah membutuhkan tekad dan keinginan yang kuat, banyak orang yang telah mencobanya dan merasa bosan pada saat pertama, namun karena Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala telah mengetahui kebaikan niatnya maka Dia membantunya dan akhirnya meninggalkan merokok. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Dan orang-orang yang berjihad untuk (mencari keridhaan) Kami, benar-benar akan Kami tunjukkan Kepada mereka jalan-jalan Kami. Dan sesungguhnya Allah benar-benar beserta orang-orang yang berbuat baik. (QS. Al- Ankabut: 69)

Terdapat banyak klinik untuk menanggulangi kecanduan merokok, yang dikelola oleh orang-orang profesional, dan Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala memberikan manfaat dengan keberadaanya sebab banyak para pecandu rokok meninggalkan rokok setelah mereka mendatangi poliklinik ini dan berobat dengan semestinya.

Diriwayatkan oleh Imam Ahmad dari Abi Qotadah dan Abi Dahma’ bahwa Nabi Muhammad shalallahu ‘alai wasallam bersabda, “Sesungguhnya tidaklah engkau meninggalkan sesuatu karena Allah kecuali Dia akan menggantikan bagimu dengan sesuatu yang lebih baik darinya”.[7]

Segala puji bagi Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala Tuhan semesta alam, semoga shalawat dan salam tetap tercurahkan kepada Nabi kita Muhammad shalallahu ‘alai wasallam dan kepada keluarga, shahabat serta seluruh pengikut beliau.



Dr. Amin bin Abdullah asy-Syaqawi

[1] Al-Bukhari no: 5778 dan Muslim: no: 109
[2] Al-Bukhari no: 6105 dan Muslim: no: 110

[3] Musnad Imam Ahamad: 1/313

[4] Al-Turmudzi dalam sunannya: 4/612 no: 2426

[5] Musnad Imam Ahamd: 1/313

[6] Shahih Muslim: no: 564 dan shahih Bukhari: no: 854

[7] Musnad Imam Ahmad dan sanadnya shahih dengan syarat Muslim: 1/62

Kedudukan Wanita Dalam Islam


Segala puji hanya bagi Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, shalawat dan salam semoga tetap tercurahkan kepada baginda Rasulullah salallahu ‘alaihi wasalam, dan aku bersaksi bahwa tiada tuhan yang berhak disembah dengan sebenarnya selain Allah yang Maha Esa dan tiada sekutu bagi -Nya dan aku bersaksi bahwa Muhammad adalah hamba dan utusan -Nya.. Amma Ba’du:

Pembahasan kita kali ini adalah tentang wanita, dan pembicaraan tentang perkara ini akan berkisar pada beberapa point di bawah ini:

Pertama: Keadaan wanita sebelum Islam.

Kedua: Gambaran indah tentang bagaimana Islam memuliakan wanita.

Ketiga: Beberapa syubhat dan bantahan terhadap syubhat tersebut.

Keempat: Kewajiban kita terhadap wanita.

Pertama: Keadaan wanita sebelum Islam

Wanita sebelum datangnya Islam di sebagian masyarakat jahiliyah mengalami masa hidup yang sangat kritis, masyarakat jahiliyah benci dengan kelahiran seorang wanita, di antara mereka ada yang mengubur anak wanita secara hidup-hidup di dalam lubang karena takut cela, di antara mereka ada yang membiarkan wanita hidup dalam dunia kehinaan dan kenistaan. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Dan apabila seseorang dari mereka diberi kabar dengan (kelahiran) anak perempuan, hitamlah (merah padamlah) mukanya dan dia sangat marah. Ia menyembunyikan dirinya dari orang banyak, disebabkan buruknya berita yang disampaikan kepadanya. Apakah dia akan memeliharanya dengan menanggung kehinaan ataukah akan menguburkannya ke dalam tanah (hidup-hidup)? Ketahuilah, alangkah buruknya apa yang mereka tetapkan itu. (QS. Al-Nahl: 58-59).

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

قال الله تعالى : ﴿ وَإِذَا الْمَوْؤُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَيِّ ذَنبٍ قُتِلَتْ﴾ (التكوير: 9-8)

“Apabila bayi-bayi perempuan yang dikubur hidup-hidup ditanya, karena dosa apakah dia dibunuh”, (QS. Al-Takwir; 8-9)

Al-Mau’udah adalah anak wanita yang dikuburkan hidup-hidup sehingga mati di dalam tanah, wanita pada masa jahiliyah tidak berhak mendapat warisan walaupun wanita tersebut hidup dalam kemiskinan dan kebutuhan yang tinggi, sebab pewarisan tersebut hanya berlaku bagi kaum pria saja, bahkan wanita tersebut bisa diwariskan setelah suaminya meninggal sebagaimana harta diwariskan, lebih dari itu banyak wanita yang hidup di bawah satu lelaki sebab masayarakat jahiliyah tidak membatasi diri dengan batasan jumlah istri-istri, dan merekapun tidak menghiraukan terhadap berbagai pengekangan dan kezaliman yang terjadi pada wanita. Diriwayatkan oleh Muslim di dalam kitab shahihnya dari Umar RA bahwa beliau berkata, “Demi Allah!, pada masa jahiliyah wanita tidak kami anggap apapun, sehingga Allah menurunkan bagi mereka tuntunan yang menjelaskan kemaslahatan bagi mereka dan Allah memberikan bagian harta tertentu dalam perkara pewarisan”.[1]

Kedua: Gambaran indah tentang bagaimana Islam memuliakan wanita.

Segala bentuk kezaliman telah dihapuskan dari mereka, dan Islam mengembalikan kedudukannya, dan menjadikan mereka sebagai mitra lelaki yang berkedudukan sejajar dalam urusan pahala, siksa dan semua hak, kecuali perkara yang memang dikhususkan untuk wanita. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

“Barang siapa yang mengerjakan amal saleh, baik laki-laki maupun perempuan dalam keadaan beriman, maka sesungguhnya akan Kami berikan kepadanya kehidupan yang baik dan sesungguhnya akan Kami beri balasan kepada mereka dengan pahala yang lebih baik dari apa yang telah mereka kerjakan. (QS. Al-Nahl: 97)

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Maka Tuhan mereka memperkenankan permohonannya (dengan berfirman), "Sesungguhnya Aku tidak menyia-nyiakan amal orang-orang yang beramal di antara kamu, baik laki-laki atau perempuan, (karena) sebagian kamu adalah turunan dari sebagian yang lain. (QS. Ali Imron: 195).

Diriwayatkan oleh Al-Turmudzi dari Ummu Imarah radhiallahu ‘anha bahwa dia mendatangi Nabi Muhammad salallahu ‘alaihi wasalam dan berkata, “Aku tidak melihat sesuatu tuntunan kecuali semuanya bagi lelaki, aku tidak melihat bagi wanita suatu tuntunan tertentu, lalu Allah menurunkan ayat ini:

Sesungguhnya laki-laki dan perempuan yang muslim, laki-laki dan perempuan yang mukmin, laki-laki dan perempuan yang tetap dalam ketaatannya, laki-laki dan perempuan yang benar, laki-laki dan perempuan yang sabar, laki-laki dan perempuan yang khusyuk, laki-laki dan perempuan yang bersedekah, laki-laki dan perempuan yang berpuasa, laki-laki dan perempuan yang memelihara kehormatannya, laki-laki dan perempuan yang banyak menyebut (nama) Allah, Allah telah menyediakan untuk mereka ampunan dan pahala yang besar. (QS. Al-Ahzab: 35).

Diriwayatkan oleh Imam Ahmad di dalam kitab musnadnya dari Aisyah RA bahwa Nabi Muhammad salallahu ‘alaihi wasalam bersabda, “Sesungguhnya wanita adalah saudara sekandung kaum pria”.[2]

Dan Islam melarang menjadikan wanita sebagai warisan bagi kaum lelaki, sebagaimana yang terjadi pada masyarakat jahiliyah. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Hai orang-orang yang beriman, tidak halal bagi kamu mempusakai wanita dengan jalan paksa”. (QS. Al-Nisa’: 19).

Maka Islam menjamin kemerdekaan pribadi wanita, menjadikannya pewaris bukan barang yang diwariskan, Islam juga memberikan bagian harta warisan dari harta kerabatnya. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Bagi laki-laki ada hak bagian dari harta peninggalan ibu-bapak dan kerabatnya, dan bagi wanita ada hak bagian (pula) dari harta peninggalan ibu-bapak dan kerabatnya, baik sedikit atau banyak menurut bahagian yang telah ditetapkan. (QS. Al-Nisa’: 7)

Diriwayatkan oleh Al-Bukhari dan Muslim dari Abi Hurairah radhiallahu ‘anhu bahwa Nabi Muhammad salallahu ‘alaihi wasalam bersabda, “Berilah wasiat kepada wanita dengan wasiat yang lebih baik”.[3]

Diriwayatkan oleh Ibnu Majah dari Ibnu Abbas radhiallahu ‘anhu bahwa Nabi Muhammad salallahu ‘alaihi wasalam bersabda, “Orang yang terbaik di antara kalian adalah orang yang terbaik terhadap keluarganya dan saya adalah orang yang terbaik terhadap keluarga saya”.[4]

Ketiga: Beberapa Syubhat Yang Mesti Dibantah:

Para pelaku syahwat telah mengeksploitasi berbagai media masa untuk mengumbar syubhat bahwa kaum wanita mengalami diskriminasi, mereka adalah bagian sumber daya yang terabaikan, rumah bagai penjara bagi mereka, sementara kepemimpinan lelaki adalah sebagai pedang terhunus yang menghalangi dirinya untuk bebas. Sangat disayangkan ternyata racun pemikiran ini menjangkiti sebagian besar wanita. Adapun perkataan yang mengatakan bahwa wanita mengalami diskriminasi, maka penjelasan masalah ini telah dipaparkan sebelumnya pada pembahasan tentang kedudukan wanita di dalam Islam, di mana Islam telah mengangkat berbagai bentuk kezaliman yang menimpa mereka pada masa jahiliyah. Mereka bukanlah sumber daya yang terabaikan bahkan berdiamnya wanita untuk mendidik anak adalah amal agung yang dengannya dia bisa mendapat pahala, yang akan melahirkan buah yang bermanfaat bagi masyarakat.

Diriwayatkan oleh Ibnu Hibban di dalam kitab shahihnya dari Abi Hurairah radhiallahu ‘anhu bahwa Rasulullah salallahu ‘alaihi wasallam bersabda, “Apabila seorang wanita telah melaksanakan shalat lima waktunya, menjalankkan puasanya, menjaga kemaluannya dan taat kepada suaminya maka dia akan masuk surga dari pintu manapun yang disukainya”.[5]

Dan orang yang memperhatikan masyarakat barat yang menyaksikan para wanitanya keluar guna menyaingi kaum pria, meninggalkan anak-anak dalam asuhan para pembantu, atau panti asuhan anak atau yang lainnya, akan melihat terjadi berbagai tindak kekerasan, dekadensi moral, banyaknya anak zina, terjadinya kehancuran rumah tangga, merajalelanya obat-obat terlarang dan berbagai barang yang memabukkan dan lain sebagainya, maka setelah melihat realita di atas, dia akan menyadari keagungan agama ini. Maha Benar Allah dengan firman -Nya yang berbunyi:

“...dan hendaklah kamu tetap di rumahmu dan janganlah kamu berhias dan bertingkah laku seperti orang-orang Jahiliyah yang dahulu”. (QS. Al-Ahzab: 33)

Adapun kepemimpinan lelaki terhadap wanita dalam rangka menjaga kehormatan dan kemuliaan wanita tersebut dari gangguan kaum pria. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Kaum laki-laki itu adalah pemimpin bagi kaum wanita, oleh karena Allah telah melebihkan sebahagian mereka (laki-laki) atas sebahagian yang lain (wanita), dan karena mereka (laki-laki) telah menafkahkan sebagian dari harta mereka. (QS. Al-Nisa’: 34)

Ibnu Katsir berkata, “Artinya kaum lelaki sebagai penopang kaum wanita, yaitu sebagai pemimpin dan penyangga utama, sebagai hakim dan sebagai pendidiknya jika bengkok.

Ibnu Abbas berkata, (الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاء) maksudnya adalah sebagai pemimpin atas mereka, dan ketaatan istri pada suami dalam perkara yang diperintahkan oleh Allah untuk ditaati, dan ketaatan seorang istri adalah dengan berlaku baik terhadap keluarganya dan menjaga hartanya”.[6]

Keempat: Kewajiban kita terhadap wanita

Pertama: Kewajiban mendidik anak laki-laki dan wanita yang kita miliki serta istri-istri kita dengan pendidikan yang baik. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Hai orang-orang yang beriman, peliharalah dirimu dan keluargamu dari api neraka yang bahan bakarnya adalah manusia dan batu; penjaganya malaikat-malaikat yang kasar, yang keras, yang tidak mendurhakai Allah terhadap apa yang diperintahkan-Nya kepada mereka dan selalu mengerjakan apa yang diperintahkan. (Al-Tahrim: 6)

Ali bin Thalib RA berkata, “Didiklah mereka dan ajarkan kepada mereka kebaikan”. Diriwayatkan oleh AL-Bukhari dan Muslim dari Ibnu Umar bahwa Nabi Muhammad salallahu ‘alaihi wasalam bersabda, “Setiap kalian adalah peminpin dan setiap kalian akan ditanya tentang kepeminpinannya”.[7]

Seandainya seorang lelaki memperhatikan keluarganya dan mendidik mereka dengan pendidikan yang didasarkan kepada kitab dan sunnah maka seluruh masyarakat akan menjadi baik.

Kedua: Membekali diri dengan ilmu syara’. Dengan ilmu syara’ inilah, kita bisa menyingkap kesesatan orang-orang yang sesat, penyelewengan para penyeleweng dari kelompok sekulerisme dan pengikut hawa nafsu dan syahwat, dengan ilmu pula, kita bisa menyingkap konspirasi mereka. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

"Adakah sama orang-orang yang mengetahui dengan orang-orang yang tidak mengetahui?" Sesungguhnya orang yang berakallah yang dapat menerima pelajaran. (QS. Al-Zumar: 9)

Ketiga: Berdakwah kepada Allah Azza Wa Jalla, memperingatkan manusia terhadap pelaku kejahatan, serta segala konspirasi mereka untuk merusak kaum wanita dan menjauhkan mereka dari ajaran agama mereka. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman:

Katakanlah: "Inilah jalan (agama) ku, aku dan orang-orang yang mengikutiku mengajak (kamu) kepada Allah dengan hujjah yang nyata, Maha Suci Allah, dan aku tiada termasuk orang-orang yang musyrik". (QS. Yusuf: 108).

Diriwayatkan oleh Muslim di dalam kitab shaihnya dari Sahl bin Sa’d bahwa Nabi Muhammad salallahu ‘alaihi wasalam bersabda, “Demi Allah bahwa Allah memberikan hidyah kapada seorang lelaki dengan sebab dirimu maka hal itu lebih baik bagimu dari onta merah yang engkau miliki”.[8]

Segala puji bagi Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala Tuhan semesta alam, semoga shalawat dan salam tetap tercurahkan kepada Nabi kita Muhammad salallahu ‘alaihi wasalam dan kepada keluarga, shahabat serta seluruh pengikut beliau.

oleh: Dr. Amin bin Abdullah asy-Syaqawi

[1] Muslim: no: 1479
[2] Musnad Imam Ahmad: 6/256

[3] Al-Bukhari: no: 5186 dan shahih Muslim: no: 1468

[4] Ibnu Majah: no: 1977

[5] Shahih Ibnu Hibban: 9/471 No: 4163

[6] Tafsir Ibnu Katsir: 1/491

[7] Al-Bukhari: no: 2558 dan Muslim: no: 1829

[8] Shahih Muslim: 4/1872 no: 2406

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hukum Memperingati Maulid Nabi


Hukum memperingati maulid nabi

Allah telah memerintah nabinya untuk mengikuti syari'atnya dalam beribadah kepadanya, dan melarang mengikuti hawa nafsu, dalam banyak ayat Allah memerintah nabinya untuk mengikuti wahyu. Ulama mengatakan bahwa ibadah harus didasari wahyu, dan tidak berdasarkan akal fikiran manusia.

Allah SWT memberi karunia kepada hambanya dengan mengutus rasulnya SAW, bukan dengan kelahirannya, oleh karena itu pada hari kelahiran nabi s.a.w para salafus shalih tidak melakukan amal perbuatan yang lebih dari hari-hari lain, dan tidak menganggap hari kelahiran nabi sebagai hari istimewa yang perlu diperingati, dirayakan atau dikaitkan dengan suatu hal yang dianggap penting, lihatlah misalnya Umar bin Khattab t ketika akan menetapkan awal tahun hijriyah, beliau tidak memulainya dari hari atau bulan kelahiran nabi s.a.w, namun memulainya dengan tanggal kemenangan nabi SAW.

Peringatan maulid nabi tidak pernah dilakukan oleh rasulullah, para sahabat, para tabi'in, maupun para imam madzhab seperti imam syafi'i, imam malik, Ahmad bin hambal dan Abu Hanifah, akan tetapi yang pertama kali mengadakan peringatan maulid nabi adalah para khalifah fatimiyah pada abad keempat hijriyah, bahkan mereka bukan hanya memperingati hari kelahiran nabi, akan tetapi mereka juga memperingati hari kelahiran imam Ali, Fatimah, hasan, dan Husain. Sebelumnya umat islam tidak mengenal yang namanya peringatan maulid nabi s.a.w.

Sebenarnya para ahli sejarah berbeda pendapat tentang bulan kelahiran nabi s.a.w, ada yang mengatakan nabi dilahirkan pada bulan ramadhan, namun mayoritas mereka mengatakan bahwa nabi s.a.w dilahirkan pada bulan rabiul awwal. Kemudian mereka juga berbeda pendapat tentang tanggal kelahiran nabi s.a.w. Ibnu Abdil barr mengatakan beliau lahir pada tanggal dua, ada yang mengatakan tanggal delapan, ini didukung oleh ibnu Hazm dan kebanyakan ahli hadits, ada yang mengatakan pada tanggal sembilah, ini dikuatkan oleh abul hasan an-Nadawi dan zahid al-kaustari, ada yang mengatakan tanggal sepuluh, ini dikatakan oleh al-Baqir, ada yang mengatakan pada tanggal dua belas, ini ditegaskan oleh Ibnu Ishaq, ada yang mengatakan tanggal tujuh belas, dan ada yang mengatakan tanggal delapan belas rabi'ul awwal.

Ini menunjukkan bahwa para sahabat tidak begitu memperhatikan tanggal kelahiran nabi, karena tidak ada ibadah yang berkaitan dengan hari kelahirannya, sebab kalau seandianya ada, niscaya diriwayatkan kepada kita.

Kemudian perlu diketahui bahwa tanggal dua belas rabi'ul awal juga merupakan hari meninggalnya rasulullah s.a.w, jadi bergembira pada hari itu tidak lebih baik dari bersedih, selain itu bila diperhatikan, peringatan maulid nabi banyak menyebar di Negara-negara yang bertetangga dengan Kristen, seperti di suriah dan mesir. Orang-orang nasrani merayakan hari kelahiran Isa u, dan itu merupakan sebab orang-orang islam mengadakan perayaan hari besar karena mengikuti tradisi mereka.

Kecintaan kepada nabi SAW bukan dibuktikan dengan memperingati hari kelahirannya, namun dengan mengikuti sunnahnya, melaksanakan perintahnya dan menjauhi larangannya, dan gembira dengan nabi SAW bukan hanya pada waktu-waktu tertentu, seperti hanya di bulan rabi'ul awal, tetapi sepanjang masa.

Nabi saw telah melarang umatnya berlebihan dalam memuji dan mengagungkan beliau, beliu bersabda: janganlah kalian belebihan terhadapku sebagaimana orang nasrani berlebihan terhadap putera Maryam, aku tidak lain hanyalah hamban Allah, maka katakanlah: hamba Allah dan rasulnya. (HR. Bukhari)

Kebanyakan bacaan yang dibaca dalam peringatan maulid nabi yang berupa pujian kepada beliau sangat berlebihan, dan ini diakui oleh orang yang mendukung peringatan maulid nabi itu sendiri, terutama ketika sebagian orang mengarang buku tentang peringatan maulid nabi, kemudian mereka membuat-buat hadits palsu untuk mendukung perbuatannya. Salah seorang tokoh sufi di abad ini yaitu Abdullah al-Ghimari berkata: (( "… buku-buku tentang maulid nabi dipenuhi oleh hadits-hadits palsu, dan ini telah menjadi keyakinan kuat bagi kalangan awam, aku berharap semoga Allah memberi taufik kepadaku untuk menulis buku tentang maulid nabi, yang terbebas dari dua hal yaitu: hadits-hadits palsu, dan sajak yang dipaksakan … jadi berlebihan dalam mumuji itu tercela, berdasarkan firman Allah swt: ((janganlah kalian berlebihan dalam agama kalian)), dan juga orang yang memuji nabi saw dengan suatu hal yang tidak ada dasarnya dari nabi saw maka ia telah berbohong, sehingga ia termasuk orang yang diancam dalam hadits: barangsiapa yang sengaja berdusta kepadaku maka hendaklah ia menyiapkan tempatnya di neraka.

Fadhilah-fadilah nabi bukanlah suatu hal yang bisa dianggap enteng dengan menggunakan hadits dhaif dan sebagainya, karena ini berkaitan dengan pembawa syari’at, nabi umat ini, yang mengharamkan dusta atas nama beliau dan menjadikannya sebagai salah satu dosa besar, bahkan Abu Muhammad al-Juwaini, bapak dari Imam al-Haramain berpendapat bahwa orang yg berdusta atas nama nabi saw, ia kafir. Dengan demikian, hal-hal yang berlebihan yang terdapat dalam buku-buku maulid nabi, dan kisah isra’ mi’raj tidak ada dasarnya sama sekali, maka wajib dibakar agar para penulisnya dan orang-orang yang membacanya tidak dibakar di neraka, kami mohon keselamatan kepada Allah". (ini dalam buku tentang kritik terhadap burdatnya al-Bushiri hal 75).

Dan biasanya dalam peringatan maulid diakhiri dengan kata-kata bid’ah dan tawassul-tawassul yang berbau syirik.

Kemudian dalam peringatan maulid nabi biasanya melakukan beberapa kesalahan, di antaranya:

Orang-orang yg memperingati maulid menuduh orang-orang yang tidak merayakannya bahwa mereka tidak mencintai nabi saw, mereka pura-pura tidak tahu bahwa kecintaan kepada nabi dibuktikan dengan mengikuti sunnah beliau, bukan dengan berbuat bid’ah, demikan pula hal-hal yg dilakukan pada waktu memperingati maulid, seperti bacaan-bacaan yang tidak ada dasarnya dari agama yang dibaca dengan disertai gerakan-gerakan yang tidak pernah diajarkan dalam agama, disamping kisah-kisah bohong yang dibuat-buat tentang faedah atau fadhilah memperingati maulid nabi dsb. Syaikh Ali Mahfudz al-Azhari berkata: "dalam memperingati maulid nabi banyak terjadi pemborosan dan membuang-buang harta serta waktu yang tidak ada gunanya dan tidak kebaikannya sama sekali". (al-Ibda’/324) sedangkan kaidah syar’iyah mengatakan bahwa suatu yang mubah jika menyebabkan kepada suatu yang diharamkan maka hukumnya haram.

Seluruh umat islam telah sepakat bahwa merayakan maulid nabi adalah bid’ah, akan tetapi mereka berbeda pendapat, ada yang mengatakan bahwa ia adalah bid’ah hasanah, dengan alasan bahwa ada maslahat yang mungkin bisa diperoleh.

Akan tetapi para ulama yang lain, baik dahulu maupun sekarang banyak yang berfatwa bahwa merayakan maulid hukumnya haram, berdasarkan dali-dalil syari’at yang mengharamkan bid’ah dalam masalah agama, sedangkan perayaan maulid termasuk masalah agama, mereka memandang bahwa perayaan maulid adalah suatu kesalahan yang pasti, sedangkan kebaikan yang diharapkan hanya merupakan dugaan. Kemudian perayaan tersebut tidak pernah dilakukan oleh nabi saw, dan juga para sahabat, para tabi’in, dan juga periode setelah itu. Dan juga nabi saw tidak membedakan bid’ah ada yang baik dan buruk, akan tetapi beliau mengatakan: kullu bid’atin dhalaalah: semua bid’ah adalah kesesatan).

Imam malik berkata: barangsiapa yang berbuat bid’ah dalam islam dan ia menganggapnya baik, maka ia telah menyangka bahwa Muhammad saw telah berkhianat terhadap kerasulan, karena Allah swt berfirman: “pada hari ini aku telah menyempurnakan agamamu”, maka apa yang tidak termasuk agama pada waktu itu, maka sekarang tidak menjadi agama) (al-I’tisham karangan as-Syatibi).

Adapun ulama-ulama yang berfatwa bahwa perayaan maulid itu bid’ah, diantaranya:

Imam Syatibi, beliau menyebutkan di awal kitabnya al-I’tisham (1/34) dan mengatakan bahwa menjadikan hari kelahiran nabi saw sebagai ied adalah bid’ah.

Imam al-fakihani dalam bukunya risalah al-Mufradah hal 8-9.

Ulama India, Abu thayyib syamsul Haq, begitu pula gurunya al-Allamah Basyiruddin Qanuji yang menulis buku dengan judul: ghayatul kalam fii ibthalil amalil maulid wal qiyam.

Syaikh al-Allamah Abi Abdillah Muhammad al-Haffar al-Maliki salah satu ulama maroko berkata: (para salafus shalih yaitu para sahabat nabi dan orang-orang yang mengikuti mereka tidak pernah berkumpul pada malam kelahiran nabi untuk beribadah, dan tidak melakukan sesuatu yang lebih dari hari-hari biasa, karena nabi saw tidak mengagugkan sesuatu kecuali yang disyari’atkan oleh Allah swt… (almi’yaar al-mu’rab 7/99).

Syaikh Muhammad shalih al-Utsaimin kt: (mereka melakukannya dengan alas an mencintai rasulullah saw, dan mereka ingin mengingat rasulillah saw. Kami katakan kepada mereka: kami senang jika kalian mencintai nabi saw, dan kami senang jika kalian ingin mengingat nabi saw, akan tetapi ada ketentuan yang telah ditetapkan olen Yang Maha Bijaksana, dan tuhan seluruh alam, ada ketentuan dalam mencintai, yaitu firman Allah swt: katakan, jika kamu mencintai Allah, maka ikutilah aku niscaya Allah mencintaimu.

Jika seseorang jujur dalam pengakuannya mencintai Allah dan rasulnya, makan hendaklah mengikuti syari’at Allah, dan mengikuti apa yang diajarkan oleh nabi saw, jika ia tidak mengikutinya, maka pengakuan cintanya dusta. Karena neraca ini adalah neraka yang jujur dan adil. Oleh karena itu mari kita lihat, apakah merayakan kelahiran nabi saw termasuk syari’at allah? Apakan nabi saw melakukannya? Apakan khulafa’ rasyidin melakukannya? Apakah para sahabat melakukannya? Apakah para tabi’in melakukannya? Jelas jawabnya tidak, barangsiapa yang mengatakan sebaliknya, maka hendaklah memberikan bukti. “katakan, sampaikanlah bukti kalian jika kalian benar”).

Syaikh DR. Yusuf al-Qardhawi berkata: … mereka mengatakan bahwa yang membuat-buat perayaan maulid ini adalah Fathimiyah di mesir, dan dari mesir menyebar ke Negara-negara lain, ada kemungkinan di balik itu ada tujuan politik tertentu, mereka ingin mengalihkan perhatian rakyat kepada perayaan maulid ini, sehingga mereka tidak ikut campur memikirkan urusan politik dan juga masalah-masalah umum lainnya, oleh karena itu kalau ini dianggap ibadah maka kami berkata: ibadah ini tida pernah diajarkan dan tidak benar) al-Jazirah.

Syaikh Muhammad al-Ghazali dalam bukunya: bukan termasuk islam hal 252 kt: bertaqarrub dengan mengadakan perayaan maulid adalah ibadah yang tidak ada dasarnya, oleh karena itu kita memandang bahwa semua perayaan ini adalah bid’ah yang ditolak dan tidak bisa dibenarkan.. menghilangkan maulid adalah masalah yang sangat penting baik dari segi agama maupun dunia ..selain maulid nabi juga peringatan isra’ mi’raj, malam nisfu sya’ban, lailatul qadar, dan malam awal tahun hijriyah.

Perayaan-perayaan ini telah ditentukan waktunya, dan mengeluarkan biaya dianggap sebagian syi’ar agama, dan orang-orang awam telah memberikan perhatian lebih dengan kata-kata dan makanan, apakan hal itu menolong agama!!.

Ahirnya kita berdoa semoga kita mendapat kekuatan iman dan ilmu yang bermanfaat sehingga bisa mengamalkan agama dengan benar sesuai dengan yang diajarkan oleh Allah dan Rasulnya, dan semoga kita dijaga dari kesalah pahaman terhadap agama yang bisa menggelincirkan kita dari jalah yang lurus. Amin.

by Hasan al-Husaini

Dikutip dari "waqfah ma'a muhtafilina biyaum 12 rabi'ul awal, oleh: hasan al-Husaini. www.saaid.net

YaNg PeRlU kItA tAHU.....vAlEnTiNe....


Celebrating Valentine’s Day

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet
Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.
Allah has chosen for us Islam as our religion and He will not accept any other religion from
anyone, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the
Hereafter he will be one of the losers [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told us that groups of his
ummah would follow the enemies of Allah in some of their rituals and customs, as it says
in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrated that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “You will certainly follow the
ways of those who came before you, span by span, cubit by cubit, until even if they were to
enter a lizard’s hole, you would follow them.” We said, “O Messenger of Allah, (do you
mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?!”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari in al-I’tisaam bi’l-Kitaab wa’l-Sunnah, Baab Qawl al-Nabi (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) La tattabi’unna Sanan man kaana qablakum, 8/151;
and by Muslim in Kitaab al-‘Ilm, Baab Ittibaa’ Sanan al-Yahood wa’l-Nasaara, 4/2054)
What the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) spoke of has indeed come to
pass and has become widespread in recent times, in many of the Muslim countries. Many of
the Muslims follow the enemies of Allah in many of their customs and ways of behaving,
and imitate them in some of their rituals and in celebrating their holidays.
The matter has been made even worse by the opening up of mass communications between
peoples, whereby the rituals and customs of the kuffaar are now transmitted with the
glamorous adornment of sound and image from their countries into the Muslim countries,
via satellite TV and the World Wide Web (Internet). Many Muslims have been deceived by
their glamour.
In recent years, a new phenomenon has spread among the Muslim youth – males and
females alike – which does not bode well. This is manifested in their imitation of the
Christians in their celebration of the Valentine’s Day, which has led the scholars and
daa’iyahs to explain the rulings of sharee’ah concerning that, out of sincerity towards
Allah, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk, so that Muslims
may have a clear understanding of this issue and so that they will not fall into that which
will undermine the belief ( ‘aqeedah) with which Allah has blessed them.
This is a brief discussion of the origins, development and purpose of this holiday, and what
the Muslim should do with regard to it.
The story of the Festival of Love (Valentine’s Day)
The Festival of Love was one of the festivals of the pagan Romans, when paganism was the
prevalent religion of the Romans more than seventeen centuries ago. In the pagan Roman
concept, it was an expression of “spiritual love”.
There were myths associated with this pagan festival of the Romans, which persisted with
their Christian heirs. Among the most famous of these myths was the Roman belief that
Romulus, the founder of Rome, was suckled one day by a she-wolf, which gave him
strength and wisdom.
The Romans used to celebrate this event in mid-February each year with a big festival. One
of the rituals of this festival was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat. Two strong and muscular
youths would daub the blood of the dog and goat onto their bodies, then they would wash
the blood away with milk. After that there would be a great parade, with these two youths at
its head, which would go about the streets. The two youths would have pieces of leather
with which they would hit everyone who crossed their path. The Roman women would
welcome these blows, because they believed that they could prevent or cure infertility.
The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival
Saint Valentine is a name which is given to two of the ancient “martyrs” of the Christian
Church. It was said that there were two of them, or that there was only one, who died in
Rome as the result of the persecution of the Gothic leader Claudius, c. 296 CE. In 350 CE, a
church was built in Rome on the site of the place where he died, to perpetuate his memory.
When the Romans embraced Christianity, they continued to celebrate the Feast of Love
mentioned above, but they changed it from the pagan concept of “spiritual love” to another
concept known as the “martyrs of love”, represented by Saint Valentine who had advocated
love and peace, for which cause he was martyred, according to their claims. It was also
called the Feast of Lovers, and Saint Valentine was considered to be the patron saint of
lovers.
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 one year, so that they could find out about one another. Then they would get
married, or they would repeat the same process again on the day of the festival in the
following year.
The Christian clergy reacted against this tradition, which they considered to have a
corrupting influence on the morals of young men and women. It was abolished in Italy,
where it had been well-known, then it was revived in the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries, when in some western countries there appeared shops which sold small books
called “Valentine’s books”, which contained love poems, from which the one who wanted to
send a greeting to his sweetheart could choose. They also contained suggestions for writing
love letters.
It was also said concerning the origins of this holiday that when the Romans became
Christian, after Christianity had become widespread, the Roman emperor Claudius II
decreed in the third century CE that soldiers should not get married, because marriage would
distract them from the wars they used to fight. This decree was opposed by Saint Valentine,
who started to perform marriages for the soldiers in secret. When the emperor found out
about that, he threw him in jail and sentenced him to execution. In prison, he (Saint
Valentine) fell in love with the jailer’s daughter, but this was a secret because according to
Christian laws, priests and monks were forbidden to marry or fall in love. But he is still
regarded highly by the Christians because of his steadfastness in adhering to Christianity
when the emperor offered to pardon him if he forsook Christianity and worshipped the
Roman gods; then he would be one of his closest confidantes and he would make him his
son-in-law. But Valentine refused this offer and preferred Christianity, so he was executed
on 14 February 270 CE, on the eve of February 15, the festival of Lupercalis. So this day
was named for this saint.
In The Story of Civilization, it says that the Church devised a calendar in which every day
was designated as the feast day of one of the saints. In England, Saint Valentine’s Day was
to come at the end of winter. When that day came, according to them, the birds mated
enthusiastically in the forests, and the young men would put flowers on the windowsills of
the homes of the girls whom they loved. (The Story of Civilization by Will Durant, 15/23)
The Pope designated the day of the death of Saint Valentine, February 14, 270 CE, as a
festival of love. Who is the Pope? He is the “the archbishop, the supreme pontiff of the
universal church, the successor of Saint Peter.” Look at this “archbishop” and how he
prescribed for them the observance of this festival which was an innovation in their religion.
This reminds us of what Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides
Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their
own desires without being ordered by Allah)…”[al-Tawbah 9:31]
It was narrated that ‘Adiy ibn Haatim said: “I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) wearing a gold cross around my neck. He said, ‘O ‘Adiy, cast aside this
idol.’ And I heard him reciting from Soorat Baraa’ah [al-Tawbah] (interpretation of the
meaning): ‘They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords
besides Allaah.’ He said: ‘They do not worship them, but when they permit them something
they accept it as permitted, and when they forbid them something they accept it as
forbidden.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and it is a hasan hadeeth).
Among the most important symbols of this holiday:

1 – Expressing joy and happiness on this occasion, as on their other major festivals.
2 – Exchanging red roses, which are an expression of love, the “spiritual love” of the pagans
or the “love” of the Christians. Hence it is known to them as the Feast of Lovers.
3 – The sending of greetings cards. On some of these cards are pictures of “Cupid”, who
appears as a child with two wings, carrying a bow and arrows. This was the god of love of
the pagan Romans – exalted be Allah far above their fabrications and their association of
others with Him.
4 – Exchange of words of love and desire in the greetings cards which they send to one
another, in verse, prose and short phrases. Some of the cards contain comical pictures and
funny words, and they often contain the phrase “be my Valentine”. This represents the
Christian concept of this festival after it was taken from the pagan concept.
5 – In many western countries, parties are held during the day and in the evening, where
there is mixing of men and women, and dancing. Many of them send gifts such as roses and
boxes of chocolates to their wives, friends and those whom they love.
Anyone who looks at what is said above about the myths surrounding this pagan festival will
clearly understand the following:
Firstly:
That its origins lie in the pagan beliefs of the Romans, where it was an expression of the
spiritual love of the idols which they used to worship instead of Allah. Whoever celebrates
it is celebrating an occasion of shirk on which the idols are venerated. Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden
Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and
wrongdoers) there are no helpers”[al-Maa’idah 5:72]
Secondly:
That the development of this festival among the Romans was connected to myths and
legends which no sound mind can accept, let alone the mind of the Muslim who believes in
Allah and His Messengers (peace be upon them). Can anyone of sound mind believe that a
she-wolf suckled the founder of the city of Rome and gave him strength and wisdom.
Moreover, these myths go against the belief (‘aqeedah) of the Muslim because the One Who
bestows strength and wisdom is the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted, not the milk
of a she-wolf! The same applies to the myth that their idols could protect them from evil or
keep wolves away from their flocks.
Thirdly:
Among the ugly rituals of the Romans on this day was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat, the
daubing of their blood onto two youths then washing the blood off with milk, etc… This is
something that would cause revulsion in anyone of a sound nature, and it is unacceptable to
the sound mind.
Fourthly:
The connection between Saint Valentine and this festival has been questioned by many
sources, and it considered to be far from definite. It would have been better for the
Christians to reject this pagan festival in which they imitated the pagans. So how about us
Muslims, who are commanded to be different from the Christians and the pagans before
them?
Fifthly: this festival was denounced by the Christian clergy in Italy, the bastion of
Catholicism, because it was spreading bad attitudes and having an adverse effect on the
minds of young men and women. So it is better for the Muslims to reject it, warn others
against it and to fulfill their duty towards it of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is
evil.
Someone may ask: why do we Muslims not celebrate this festival?
This question may be answered in several ways:
1. In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or
subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no
room for ijtihaad or personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allaah and
His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah
have mercy on him) said:
“Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
‘To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way[al-Maa’idah 5:48]
‘For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow’[alHajj 22:67]
like the kiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. So there is no difference
between joining them in their festival and joining them in their other rituals. Agreeing
with the whole festival is agreeing with kufr. Agreeing with some of their minor issues is
the same as agreeing with them in some of the branches of kufr. Festivals are the most
distinctive things by which religions are told apart, so whoever celebrates their festivals
is agreeing with the most distinctive rituals of kufr. Undoubtedly going along with them
in their festivals may in some cases lead to kufr. Dabbling in these things, at the very
least, is a sin. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) referred to the
fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said: ‘Every nation has its own Eid
and this is our Eid’ (al-Bukhaari , 952, Muslim, 1892).” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/471-472)
Because Valentine’s Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is
something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam, and the Muslims have
no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said – “Every nation has its Eid” (narrated by al-Bukhaari
and Muslim) – then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. If
the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs exclusively to
them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he does not share their religion or
their direction of prayer.
2. Celebrating Valentine’s Day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans, then
the Christian People of the Book in their imitation of the Romans in something that was
not a part of their religion. If it is not allowed to imitate the Christians in things that
really are part of their religion – but not part of our religion – then how about things
which they have innovated in their religion in imitation of idol-worshippers?!
Imitating the kuffaar in general –whether they are idol-worshippers or People of the Book –
is haraam, whether that imitation is of their worship – which is the most serious form – or of
their customs and behavior. This is indicated by the Qur’aan, Sunnah and ijmaa’ (scholarly
consensus):
(i) From the Qur’aan: Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the
clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful
torment”[Aal ‘Imraan 3:105]
(ii) From the Sunnah: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) said:
“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu
Dawood, 4021)

Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: “This hadeeth at the very least indicates
that it is haraam to imitate them, although the apparent meaning implies that
the one who imitates them is a kaafir, as Allah says (interpretation of the
meaning): ‘And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’ [friends and
helpers]), then surely, he is one of them’ [al-Maa’idah 5:51].” (al-Iqtidaa’,
2/722-725)
(iii) With regard to ijmaa’, Ibn Taymiyan narrated that there was agreement
that it is haraam to imitate the kuffaar in their festivals at the time of the
Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them), and Ibn al-Qayyim narrated that
there was scholarly consensus on this point. (See al-Iqtidaa’, 1/454; AhkaamAhl al-Dhimmah, 2/722-725)
Allah has forbidden imitation of the kuffaar; He has described it as hateful and has warned
against the consequences of that, in many aayahs, on many occasions, and in various ways,
especially imitation of the kuffaar. Sometimes He does that by forbidding following them or
obeying them; sometimes by warning against them or being deceived by their plots,
following their opinions, or being influenced by their actions, conduct or attitude.
Sometimes He does that by mentioning some of their characteristics that will put the
believers off from them and from imitating them. Most of the warnings in the Qur’an refer
to the Jews and hypocrites (munaafiqeen), then the People of the Book in general and the
mushrikeen. Allaah tells us in the Qur’aan that imitating and obeying the kuffaar may
constitute riddah (apostasy). Allah also forbids following them, obeying them, or following
their whims and desires and bad characteristics.
Prohibition of imitating the kuffaar is one of the basic principles of sharee’ah. Allaah sent
His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that it might prevail over all other
religions, and Allah has perfected His religion for mankind:
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have
chosen for you Islam as your religion”[al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning].
Allah has made Islam cover all (human) interests at all times and in all places and for all
people. So there is no need to adopt the ways of the kuffaar or imitate them.
Imitation causes defects in the Muslim personality, such as feelings of inadequacy,
inferiority, weakness and defeatism, then it leads to shunning and keeping away from the
path and laws of Allah. Experience has shown that admiration for the kuffaar and imitation
of them causes people to love them, have complete faith in them and take them as friends
and helpers, and to reject Islam and its people, its heroes, its legacy and values, and become
ignorant of all of that.
3. The purpose of Valentine’s Day in these times is to spread love between all people,
believers and disbelievers alike. Undoubtedly it is haraam to love the kaafirs. Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day,
making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even
though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people)
…”[al-Mujaadilah 58:22]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Allah tells us that
there is no believer who takes a kaafir as a close friend. Whoever takes a kaafir as a close
friend is not a believer. Outward imitation may be taken as a sign of love, so it is
haraam.” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/490).
4. The love referred to in this festival ever since the Christians revived it is romantic love
outside the framework of marriage. The result of that is the spread of zinaa (fornication
and adultery) and immorality. Hence the Christian clergy opposed it at some stage and
abolished it, then it came back again.
Most of the young people celebrate it because it lets them fulfil their desires, without
thinking of the issues of imitation and resembling that are involved. Look at this tragedy,
where they go so far as to commit major sins such as zinaa and the like, by imitating the
Christians in something which is part of their worship and which may even be kufr.
Some people may wonder, and say, you mean to deprive us of love, but in this day and age
we express our feelings and emotions – what is so wrong with that?
We say:
Firstly:
It is a mistake to confuse what they call the day with what the real intentions are behind it.
The love referred to on this day is romantic love, taking mistresses and lovers, boyfriends
and girlfriends. It is known to be a day of promiscuity and sex for them, with no restraints or
restrictions… They are not talking of pure love between a man and his wife or a woman and
her husband, or at least they do not distinguish between the legitimate love in the
relationship between husband and wife, and the forbidden love of mistresses and lovers.
This festival for them is a means for everyone to express love.
Secondly:
Expression of feelings and emotions is not a justification for the Muslim to allocate a day for
celebration based on his own thoughts and ideas, and to call it a festival, or make it like a
festival or Eid. So how about when it is one of the festivals of the kuffaar?
In Islam, a husband loves his wife throughout the year, and he expresses that love towards
her with gifts, in verse and in prose, in letters and in other ways, throughout the years – not
just on one day of the year.
Thirdly:
There is no religion which encourages its followers to love and care for one another more
than Islam does. This applies at all times and in all circumstances, not just on one particular
day. Indeed, Islam encourages us to express our emotions and love at all times, as the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a man loves his brother, let
him tell him that he loves him.” (narrated by Abu Dawood, 5124; al-Tirmidhi, 2329; it is
saheeh).
And he said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you
truly believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you
of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the greeting of) salaam
amongst yourselves.” (Narrated by Muslim, 54)
Fourthly:
Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive; it is not restricted only to one kind
of love, that between a man and a woman. There are many more kinds of love. There is the
love of Allah, love of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his
companions (may Allah be pleased with them), love for good and righteous people, love
and support for the religion, love of martyrdom for the sake of Allah. There are many kinds
of love. It is a dangerous mistake to restrict this broad meaning to this one kind of love.
Fifthly:
What these people think, that love before marriage is a good thing, is wrong, as has been
proven in studies and by real-life experience. In a study conducted by the University of
Cairo, on what they called “love marriage” and “traditional marriage”, the following was
stated:
In marriages which came after a love story, 88% of cases ended in failure, i.e., the success
rate was not more than 12%. But in cases of what the study calls traditional marriage, 70%
were successful. In other words, the success rate in marriages described as traditional was
six times more than those described as “love marriages”. (Risaalah ila Mu’minah, p. 255).
Now let us look at the state of affairs in western societies where Valentine’s Day is
celebrated, and ask, what is the state of marriage relationships in those societies, and do
these celebrations have any positive effect on interactions between husbands and wives?
Their own studies and statistics show the following:
1- In an American study done in 1407 AH/1987 CE, it states that 79% of men beat their
womenfolk, especially if they are married…! (al-Qabas newspaper, 15/2/1988).
2- A study carried out by the National American Office for Mental Health states the
following:
- 17% of women who go to emergency rooms are victims of beatings by their
husbands or boyfriends.
- 83% of those who have previously been admitted to hospital at least once for
treatment of injuries, were admitted as a result of beating.
The study added that there are more women who do not go to hospital for treatment, but
deal with their injuries at home.
3- In a report of the Central American Agency for Examination [FPT] it states that every
18 seconds there is a woman who is beaten by her husband somewhere in America.
4- American Time magazine stated that around 4,000 wives out of approximately 6million who are beaten die as a result of that beating.
5- In a German study it said that no less that 100,000 women annually are exposed to acts
of physical or psychological abuse on the part of their husbands or the men they live
with. The real figure may exceed one million.
6- In France, approximately 2 million women face beatings.
7- In Britain, in an opinion poll in which 7,000 women took part, 28% of them said that
they had been subjected to attacks by their husbands and boyfriends.
So how can we believe that Valentine’s Day is of any benefit to married couples? The truth
is that it is a call for more permissiveness and immorality, and the forming of forbidden
relationships.
The husband who sincerely loves his wife does not need this holiday to remind him of his
love. He expresses his love for his wife at all times and on all occasions.
The Muslim’s attitude towards Valentine’s Day
From the above discussion, the Muslim’s attitude towards this holiday should be clear:
(1) He should not celebrate it, or join others in their celebrations of it, or attend their
celebrations, because of the evidence quoted above which shows that it is forbidden to
celebrate the festivals of the kuffaar.
Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “If the Christians have a
festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs only to them, then the Muslim should
not join them in that, just as he does not join them in their religion or their direction of
prayer.” (Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, al-Hikmah magazine, 4/193).
Because one of the basic principles of the pious predecessors was al-walaa’ wa’lbaraa’ (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity), it is obligatory for everyone who
says Laa ilaaha ill-Allah Muhammad Rasul Allaah to follow this principle. So he should
love the believers and he should hate the disbelievers, oppose them, and be different from
them. He should know that that will bring immeasurable benefits, just as imitating them
causes far greater harm. In addition to that, when the Muslims imitate them it makes the
kuffaar happy and fills their hearts with joy, and it leads the Muslims to love the kuffaar in
their hearts. If any Muslim girl who celebrates this holiday because she sees Margaret or
Hilary or whoever doing so, this undoubtedly reflects the fact that she is following them and
approves of their behavior. But Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors,
helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as
Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the
Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”[al-Maa’idah 5:51]
One of the bad effects of imitating them is that this makes it look as if there are more of
them, as if they have more supporters and followers. How can it be appropriate for a Muslim
who recites in every rak’ah, “Guide us to the Straight Way, The way of those on whom You
have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who
went astray” [al-Faatihah 1:6-7 – interpretation of the meaning], to ask Allaah for
guidance to the Straight Path of the believers and to keep him away from the path of those
who have earned His anger and of those who went astray, then go and follow their path by
choice and willingly?
Statistics indicate that Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in popularity. So it is
clear that the Feast of Love is one of the festivals of the Christians and that it is second only
to the festival of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Messiah. So it is not
permissible for Muslims to join in the celebrations of this date, because we are commanded
to differ from them in their religion, customs and other things that belong exclusively to
them, as is stated in the Qur’an and Sunnah and scholarly consensus.
(2) He should not help the kuffaar in their celebrations, because it is one of the rituals of
kufr, so helping them and approving of what they do is helping them to manifest kufr
and make it prevail, and approving of it. The Muslim’s religion does not allow him to
approve of kufr or help others to manifest it and make it prevail. Hence Shaykh al-Islam
Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “It is not permissible for the
Muslims to imitate them in anything that is specifically part of their festivals, whether it
is food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, or changing a custom of daily life or worship…
To sum up, they should not do any of the specific rituals of their (the kuffaar’s) festival
on that day; rather the day of their festival should be just another ordinary day for the
Muslim.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/329)
(3) He should not help any Muslims who celebrate it. Rather it is obligatory to denounce
them, because for the Muslims to celebrate the festivals of the kuffaar is an evil action
which must be denounced. Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: “Just as we should not
imitate them in their festivals, so too we should not help a Muslim to do that; rather he
should be told not to do that.” (al-Iqtidaa’, 2/519-520)
Based on what Ibn Taymiyah said, it is not permissible for Muslim businessmen to deal in
gifts for Valentine’s Day, whether they are particular kinds of clothes, red roses, or
whatever. Similarly, it is not permissible for the one who is given a gift on this occasion to
accept it, because by accepting it, he is showing approval of this holiday.
One of the daa’iyahs said: we went to a flower shop in one of the Muslim countries and we
were shocked to find it completely prepared for this occasion, with red carpets at the
entrance, red placards and red decorations. We were met by one of the people who worked
there, and we asked him why they had done so much to decorate the place for this occasion.
He said that these preparations had begun early, and that there had been very many orders…
Then he told us that he had been amazed by that, because he was a new Muslim who had left
Christianity. He had known about that before he became Muslim, so how come his customers were Muslims and not Christians?!
Other shops ran out of red roses, which were being sold at high prices. When one of the
female daa’iyahs entered upon the female students who were gathered in the lecture hall, she
was dismayed to find them all carrying something red. One had a red rose, another had a red
scarf, or a red handkerchief, or a red bag, or red socks…
Alas for the Muslim girls!
Among the things that have been seen among the Muslims on this holiday:
1- All the female students agreeing with their friends to tie a red ribbon on the right wrist.
2- Wearing something red (a blouse, hair clip, shoes…). This reached such an extent last
year that when we entered the classroom we found most of the students wearing it, as if it
was a uniform.
3- Red balloons on which are written the words “I love you”. They usually bring these out
at the end of the school day, in an area far from where the teachers can see them.
4- Writing names and hearts on their hands, or just initials.
5- Red roses are widespread on this day.
Groups of girls entered their lecture rooms on February 14, each of them wearing something
red, with red heart-shaped stickers on their faces, wearing red make-up. They started to
exchange red-colored gifts and kiss one another warmly. This happened in more than one
university in the Muslim world, even in an Islamic university. In other words they were
celebrating Saint Valentine’s Day.
On that day, secondary schools (high schools) were astonished by the large numbers of
female students who brought red roses of the finest quality, colored their faces with red
cosmetics, wore red earrings, and started to exchange gifts and warm greetings, in
celebration of this day.
Al-Mawsoo’ah al-‘Arabiyyah (the Arabic Encyclopaedia) says that there are special customs
for Valentine’s Day, such as printing love poems on cards to be given to relatives and those
whom one loves. Some of them draw funny pictures on these cards, and the most common
phrase written on them is “be my Valentine”. Parties are often held during the day, where
they dance in their fashion. The Europeans still celebrate this holiday. In Britain, sales of
flowers reached 22 million pounds. More chocolate is consumed on this day, and companies
offer free messages on their Web sites to advertise those sites.
Valentine’s Day has come to a number of Arab and Muslim countries, and has even reached
the heartland of Islam (the Arabian Peninsula). It has reached societies which we had
thought far removed from this insanity. In Riyadh the price of roses has risen in a crazy manner, so that a single rose costs 36 riyals (10 dollars), whereas before this day it cost 5
riyals. Gift shops and card shops compete in designing cards and gifts for this occasion, and
some families hang up red roses in the windows of their homes on this day.
In some of the Gulf countries, shopping centres and hotels have organized special
celebrations of Valentine’s Day. Most of the stores and business places are covered with red.
One of the finest Gulf hotels was full of balloons and dolls. Following the customs of the
Feast of Love and the pagan myths, the restaurant put on a dramatic production with
“Cupid”, the idol of love in the Roman myths, nearly naked and carrying a bow and arrow.
He and his cohorts were looking to select “Mr. & Mrs. Valentine” from among the people
present.
Less expensive restaurants also celebrated this day in their own way. Some stores replaced
their regular plates with heart-shaped plates, used red tablecloths and linens, and put a red
rose on each table for the man to present to his beloved.
The latest Valentine’s Day craze was started by the owner of a gift-shop in Kuwait. He
imports (live) French rabbits which are small and have red eyes. He puts a necktie around
the neck of each rabbit, and puts it in a small box to be given as a gift!
We must oppose these things by all possible means. The responsibility rests with us all.
(4) We should not accept congratulations on Valentine’s Day, because it is not a holiday
or an Eid for the Muslims. If the Muslim is congratulated on this occasion, he should
not return the congratulations. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
“With regard to congratulating others with the congratulations used by the kuffaar on
such occasions, it is haraam by scholarly consensus, such as congratulating them on the
occasion of their festivals or fasts, wishing them a blessed festival, etc. Even if the one
who says this is free of kufr, it is still haraam. It is like congratulating someone for
prostrating to the cross. It is even worse with Allah and more hated by Him than
congratulating someone for drinking alcohol, or committing murder or adultery, etc.
Many of those who have no respect for religion do that, and they do not realize the
abhorrence of their actions. Whoever congratulates a person for sin, innovation (bid’ah)
or kufr exposes himself to the hatred and wrath of Allah.” (Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah,
1/441-442)
(5) We must explain the true nature of this holiday and other festivals of the kuffaar to
those Muslims who have been deceived by them, and explain to them that it is essential
for the Muslim to be distinguished by his religion and to protect his belief (‘aqeedah)
from anything that may damage it. This should be done out of sincerity towards the
ummah and in fulfillment of the command to enjoin what is good and forbid what is
evil.
Fatwas of Muslim scholars concerning Valentine’s Day
The Fatwa of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on
him)
Question:
In recent times the celebration of Valentine’s Day has become widespread, especially among
female students. This is one of the Christian holidays. They wear all red clothes, including
their shoes, and they exchange red flowers… We hope that you can tell us the ruling on
celebrating such holidays. What do you advise the Muslims to do with regard to such
things? May Allah keep you and take care of you.
He replied:
Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not permitted for several reasons:
1 – It is an innovated celebration which has no basis in sharee’ah.
2 – It calls for people to keep their hearts and minds busy with these foolish things that go
against the guidance of the pious predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them), so it is
not permitted on this day to do any of the customs associated with that holiday, whether that
be connected to food, drink, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else. The Muslim should
be proud of his religion and not be so weak of character that he follows everyone who makes
a noise. I ask Allah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and
to take care of us and give us strength. And Allah knows best.
The Fatwa of Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Jibreen concerning celebrating
this day
He was asked: the celebration of the so-called Feast of Love (Valentine’s Day) has become
widespread among our boys and girls. This (Valentine) is the name of a saint who is
venerated by the Christians, and this day is celebrated every year on February 14. They
exchange gifts and red roses, and they wear red clothes. What is the ruling on celebrating
this day, or exchanging gifts on this day? May Allah reward you with good.
He answered:
Firstly, it is not permissible to celebrate such innovated festivals, because this is a newly invented innovation (bid’ah) which has no basis in sharee’ah. So it is included in the hadeeth
of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours
(i.e., Islam) which is not part of it, will have it rejected” – i.e., it will be thrown back upon
the one who innovated it.
Secondly, this involves imitating and resembling the kuffaar in venerating that which they
venerate and respecting their festivals and holidays, and imitating them in some of their
religious practices. In the hadeeth it says, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Thirdly, the things that result from that, such as partying, idle play, singing, music,
insolence, impertinence, unveiling, wanton display, mixing of men and women, and the
appearance of women before non-mahrams, etc., are all things which are haraam, or are
means which lead to immorality. So it should not be justified as an excuse for relaxation and
entertainment, or claims that they will not overstep the mark, because that is not right. The
one who cares about himself should keep away from sin and all that leads to it.
On this basis, it is not permissible to sell these gifts and roses, if one knows that the
purchaser will celebrate these holidays, give them as gifts or otherwise use them to honour
these days, so that the vendor will not be sharing in the guilt of the one who does this
innovated action. And Allah knows best.
The Fatwa of the Standing Committee
The Standing Committee was also asked a question about this holiday:
Some people celebrate the fourteenth day of February of each Christian year as the Day of
Love (Valentine’s Day), where they exchange gifts of red roses and wear red clothes, and
congratulate one another. Some the bakeries make sweets that are red in colour, with hearts
drawn on them, and some stores have advertisements for their products that are especially
for this day. What is your opinion?
The Committee replied:
It is haraam for the Muslim to help with this festival or any other haraam celebration in any
way, be it food, drink, buying, selling, manufacturing, corresponding, advertising or in any
other way, because all of that constitutes helping one another in sin, transgression and
disobedience towards Allah and His Messenger, and Allah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not
help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in
punishment”[al-Maa’idah 5:2]
So the Muslim must adhere to the Qur’an and Sunnah in all his affairs, especially at times
of fitan (temptation and tribulation) and when corruption is widespread. He should be smart
and be careful to avoid falling into the misguidance of those who have earned the anger of
Allaah and of those who went astray, and of the evildoers who hope not for reward from
Allaah and do not show any respect towards Islam. The Muslim should seek refuge with
Allah and ask for His guidance and for help to adhere steadfastly to it, because none can
guide except Allah and none can make us remain steadfast except Him. And Allaah is the
Source of strength. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and
companions, and grant them peace.
Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyah wa’l-Iftaa
Finally, we offer our brothers the following advice:
1 – They should urge the khateebs of the mosques to tell the people and warn them. They
should explain this matter to the imam of the mosque and tell him when this day is
approaching. They should give him a copy of the fatwa’s of the Standing Committee and of
Shaykh Muhamamd ibn Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah forgive him). Every person
should make the effort to contact the imam of his mosque and tell him about this. Certainly
there are imams of mosques among the brothers so perhaps the responsibility of telling
them about this will be discharged when they read this article.
2 – Every teacher should explain the reality of this holiday and warn his or her students
about it. They will be answerable before Allah tomorrow. They should explain that it is
harem by quoting the Fatwa of the Standing Committee. All that should begin a week
beforehand in order to be of any benefit.
3 – Those who go around and check on people and the headquarters of organizations should
be notified of any shops which are selling gifts for this day or which put up pictures showing
what the gift is or how it is wrapped.
4 – Each person should make his family members aware of this. Whoever has sisters in
school or brothers should tell them and warn them about this matter, because many people
are unaware of this holiday and what it means.
We ask Allah to protect the Muslims from the harm of temptations and from the evil of
their own selves and the plots of their enemies, for He is the All-hearing Who answers
prayers. May Allah send blessings upon His slave and Messenger Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.

VaLeNtInE.....aPa KaH.....


Memasuki bulan februari di Negara islam terbesar (Indonesia) yang berpenduduk ± 220 juta jiwa, mayoritasnya menganut agama islam ada suatu pemandangan yang menimbulkan tanda tanya besar bagi setiap muslim.

Toko-toko swalayan menyediakan; bunga- bunga berwarna merah, kartu-kartu ucapan selamat yang umumnya berlogo cheo pad (dewa cinta dalam keyakinan romawi kuno), hotel-hotel dan restoran mewah menyediakan paket valentine, siaran radio dan televisi disusun sedemikian rupa untuk memeriahkan hari valentine yang jatuh pada tanggal 14 februari.

Apakah ini tradisi islam? Kalau tidak, kenapa orang yang mengaku dirinya beragama islam ikut merayakannya? Lalu apa solusinya sehingga umat mayoritas tidak mengekor kepada umat minoritas? Uraian berikut mungkin dapat menjawab pertanyaan-pertanyaan ini.

Sejarah hari valentine:

Beberapa referensi menjelaskan bahwa hari valentine adalah hari kasih sayang bangsa romawi yang menganut Animisme yang dirayakan semenjak 17 abad yang silam, sebagai ungkapan kasih sayang dewa.

Peringatan ini berasal dari sebuah legenda bahwa Romelius pendiri kota Roma disusui oleh seekor serigala sehingga ia tumbuh menjadi orang yang berbadan kuat dan berakal cerdas.

Maka bangsa Romawi mengabadikan peristiwa tersebut pada pertengahan bulan Februari dengan prosesi perayaan sebagai berikut:

"Seekor anjing dan domba disembelih, lalu dipilih dua orang perjaka yang berbadan tegap untuk dilumuri tubuhnya dengan darah anjing dan domba. Setelah dilumuri darah anjing dan domba mereka dimandikan dengan air susu. Lalu diarak keseluruh penjuru kota sambil memegang cambuk yang terbuat dari kulit. Di sepanjang jalan para wanita romawi menyambut hangat lesatan cambuk ke tubuhnya, karena diyakini berkhasiat menyembuhkan penyakit dan mudah mendapat keturunan".

Hubungan Valentine dengan perayaan di atas:

Valentine adalah nama seorang penganut Kristen yang dibunuh oleh Claudius pada tahun 296 M. melalui sebuah penyiksaan karena dia pindah agama dari seorang penganut Animis Romawi menjadi seorang Kristiani.

Setelah bangsa Romawi memeluk agama Kristen mereka tidak membuang tradisi Animis tersebut tetapi menggantinya dengan memperingati hari kematian Valentine sebagai tokoh penyebar cinta dan damai dan prosesi peringatannya dimodifikasi menjadi:

"Mereka membuat sebuah perkumpulan massa, lalu menulis nama-nama wanita yang telah memasuki umur nikah pada lembar kertas, lalu digulung. Kemudian dipanggil seorang pemuda untuk mengambil satu kertas dan membukanya. Nama wanita yang tertulis dikertas tersebut akan menjadi pasangannya selama setahun, andai setelah satu tahun hidup bersama tanpa nikah mereka merasa serasi mereka melanjutkannya dengan pernikahan. Andai tidak ada keserasian maka pada hari valentine tahun mendatang mereka berpisah".

Perayaan ini ditentang oleh para tokoh agama saat itu dan mereka mengeluarkan larangan memperingatinya karena dianggap merusak akhlak para pemuda dan pemudi.

Tidak ada informasi yang jelas tentang siapa yang menghidupkan kembali tradisi ini. Beberapa cerita mengungkapkan bahwa di Inggris orang-orang memperingatinya sejak abad XV M.

Sikap seorang muslim terhadap hari valentine:

1. Dari asal-usulnya kita ketahui bahwa perayaan hari valentine adalah suatu upacara suci orang-orang Romawi yang Animis sebagai ungkapan cinta kepada dewa mereka.

Tradisi ini adalah tradisi syirik tak ubahnya bagaikan ritual orang-orang Arab penyembah berhala mengungkapkan cinta berhala yang berada di sekeliling Ka'bah dengan cara mengelilinginya dalam keadaan telanjang tanpa memakai sehelai benangpun sambil bertepuk tangan dan bersiul, sebagaimana yang Allah jelaskan:

} وَمَا كَانَ صَلاَتُهُمْ عِنْدَ البَيْتِ إِلاَّ مُكَاءً وَتَصْدِيَةً فَذُوْقُوْا العَذَابَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْفُرُوْنَ (

"Sembahyang mereka di sekitar Baitullah itu, lain tidak hanyalah siulan dan tepukan tangan. Maka rasakanlah azab disebabkan kekafiranmu itu".(Q.S. Al Anfaal: 35).

Lalu tradisi ini dihapus Rasulullah shallallahu `alaihi wasallam setelah menaklukkan kota Mekkah dan membersihkannya dari kesyirikan, dan Allah mengancam orang-orang yang melakukannya dengan siksaan yang pedih.

2. Kemudian umat kristen Romawi mengadopsi tradisi ini dengan merayakan kematian Valentine sebagai lambang penebar cinta dan damai, akan tetapi itu cuma slogan karena prosesi perayaannya tak lebih dari kesempatan mencari pasangan haram untuk setahun kedepan bagaikan kucing yang mencari pasangannya untuk musim kawin di bulan Februari. Dan ini bertentangan dengan ajaran Kristen sehingga para pendeta melarangnya. Wahai umat islam sadarlah! perayaan valentine adalah bid'ah dalam agama Kristen dan dilarang untuk dirayakan pada awal masanya oleh para pendeta. Kenapa anda mau menghidupkannya kembali? Sungguh para pendeta tersebut lebih berakal daripada orang yang mengaku islam akan tetapi ikut merayakannya.

3. Sebagain besar umat islam yang ikut merayakan valentine dengan saling berkirim kartu ucapan valentine atau menghadiahkan bunga mawar atau saling berkirim surat cinta atau ikut mengadakan atau hanya sekedar menghadiri acaranya. Umumnya mereka mengajukan alasan sebagai berikut:

- Para pemuda-pemudi beralasan bahwa mereka hanya memanfaatkan kesempatan valentine untuk mencari pasangan hidup yang setia.

- Para pria dan wanita yang sudah berumah tangga beralasan bahwa hari valentine adalah kesempatan untuk melanggengkan rumah tangga dengan saling mengungkapkan rasa cinta.

- Orang-orang yang memiliki teman sejawat, sekantor, seprofesi yang beragama Kristen beralasan bahwa hari valentine adalah kesempatan untuk mempererat hubungan.

Alasan yang mereka ajukan laksana menegakkan benang basah, sadar ataupun tidak mereka termasuk dalam ancaman sabda Nabi:

(( مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ ))

Barang siapa yang meniru tradisi suatu kaum maka dia dia adalah bagian dari kaum tersebut. H.R. Ahmad.

Maka orang islam yang ikut memeriahkan hari valentine sesungguhnya dia adalah bagian dari umat Nasrani atau bagian dari kaum Animis romawi kuno –na'uzubillah-.

Untuk para pemuda dan pemudi islam yang kehilangan jati diri! perayaan valentine bukanlah hari baik untuk mencari jodoh, karena ia merupakan perayaan syirik, walaupun anda mendapatkan pasangan setia saat itu di dunia sungguh dia bukan pasangan anda sejati, apalagi nanti di akhirat (mungkin juga di dunia) anda dan dia akan saling bermusuhan, karena pasangan yang sejati adalah pasangan yang bertakwa dan orang –orang bertakwa tidak akan mau menghadiri perayaan syirik semacam itu.

Allah taala berfirman:

} الأَخِلاَّءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلاَّ المُتَّقِيْنَ (

"Teman-teman akrab pada hari itu sebagiannya menjadi musuh bagi sebagian yang lain kecuali orang-orang yang bertakwa". (Q.S. Az Zukhruf :67)

Untuk Pasutri muslim yang lentera cintanya mulai redup! Memanfaatkan kesempatan syirik hanya akan memadamkan lentera cinta anda yang mulai redup dan akan menyulut api yang akan membakar rumahtangga anda.

Untuk muslim dan muslimat yang tidak kenal lawan dan kawan! Allah tidak melarang anda untuk berteman dengan orang diluar islam, akan tetapi Allah melarang anda menaruh rasa cinta terhadap mereka dan lebih parah lagi jika anda mengungkapkannya dalam bentuk berkirim kartu atau hadiah di kesempatan syirik itu. Allah taala berfirman:

} لاَ تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ يُوَآدُّوْنَ مَنْ حَآدَّ اللهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ وَلَوْ كَانُوْا آبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيْرَتَهُمْ (

"Kamu tak akan mendapati kaum yang beriman pada Allah dan hari akhirat, saling berkasih-sayang dengan orang-orang yang menentang Allah dan Rasul-Nya, sekalipun orang-orang itu bapak-bapak, atau anak-anak atau saudara-saudara ataupun keluarga mereka. (Q.S. Al Mujadilah : 22 ).

4. Realita banyaknya umat islam yang ikut merayakan hari kasih- sayang ini sangat mengherankan padahal dalam agama islam telah menjelaskan secara lengkap tentang cara memelihara dan menuai cinta kepada Allah dan Rasul-Nya, cinta kepada sesama muslim dan muslimat. Mereka bagaikan 'Bani Israel' yang menukar makanan dari langit dengan ketimun, bawang putih, kacang adas, dan bawang merah, sungguh barter yang sia-sia.

Cinta dalam islam merupakan salah satu pilar penting dalam beribadah, ibadah yang tidak didasari rasa cinta akan terasa hampa.

Sedangkan ungkapan cinta kepada Allah dapat dipupuk dengan hal-hal berikut:

a. Mengikuti ajaran Rasulullah shallallahu `alaihi wasallam :

} قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّوْنَ اللهَ فَاتَّبِعُوْنِيْ (

Katakanlah: "Jika kamu (benar-benar) mencintai Allah, ikutilah aku. (Q.S. Ali Imran: 31 )

b. Melakukan amalan fardhu dan sunat, Nabi saw. bersabda:

(( وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِيْ بِشَيْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ. وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِيْ يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ : فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِيْ يَسْمَعُ بِهِ ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِيْ يُبْصِرُ بِهِ ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِيْ يَبْطِشُ بِهَا، وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِيْ يَمْشِيْ بِهَا ، وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِيْ أَعْطَيْتُهُ ، وَلَئِنْ اسْتَعَاذَنِيْ لَأُعِيْذَنَّهُ ))

" Dan tidaklah seorang hamba-Ku mendekatkan diri kepada-Ku dengan sesuatu yang lebih Kucintai daripada perbuatan yang telah Kuwajibkan dan hamba-Ku senantiasa mendekatkan diri kepada-Ku dengan melaksanakan amalan-amalan sunah hingga Aku mencintainya, maka apabila Aku telah mencintainya Aku menjadi pendengarannya yang ia mendengar dengan pendengaran tersebut, Aku menjadi penglihatannya yang ia melihat dengan penglihatan tersebut, Aku menjadi tangannya yang ia bekerja dengan tangan tersebut, dan Aku menjadi kakinya yang ia berjalan dengan kaki tersebut. Andai ia minta kepada-Ku niscaya Aku beri, dan andai ia minta perlindungan-Ku, akan Kuberi”. HR. Bukhari.

c. Sering membaca Al quran, dalam sebuah hadist Nabi:

Rasulullah shallallahu `alaihi wasallam mengutus seorang lelaki memimpin sebuah ekspedisi, dia selalu membaca sebuah (surat) ketika shalat mengimami para pasukannya dan menutup bacaannya dengan [قُل هو اللَّه أحد ] , tatkala mereka kembali, mereka menceritakan hal tersebut kepada Rasulullah shallallahu `alaihi wasallam, Ia bersabda, "Tanyakan padanya, kenapa ia melakukan hal tersebut? lalu mereka bertanya kepadanya, Ia berkata: “Karena surat tersebut (Al Ikhlash) menjelaskan sifat Ar Rahman, maka saya sangat cinta untuk membacanya,” lalu Rasulullah bersabda: “Beritahu dia bahwa Allah ta`ala mencintainya.” Muttafaq ’alaih.

d. Mengucapkan assalamu'alaikum saat bertemu atau masuk rumah, sabda Nabi saw. :

“Demi yang jiwaku ada di tangan-Nya, kalian tidak akan masuk surga hingga kalian beriman dan kalian tidak akan beriman hingga kalian saling mencintai, maukah aku tunjukkan kalian tentang suatu hal jika kalian melakukannya, kalian akan saling mencintai, tebarkan salam di antara kalian”. HR. Muslim.

e. Saling mengunjungi, sabda Nabi:

“Seorang lelaki menziarahi saudaranya di kampung lain, lalu Allah mengutus seorang malaikat mengawasi perjalanannya, tatkala ia sampai di kampung tersebut, malaikat berkata : “Mau kemanakah engkau?”, ia berkata : “Aku ingin mendatangi saudaraku di kampung ini”, malaikat berkata : “Apakah engkau mengunjunginya karena ingin mendapatkan manfaat duniawi?”, ia berkata : “Tidak, hanya karena aku mencintainya karena Allah”, malaikat berkata : “Sungguh aku adalah utusan Allah kepadamu bahwasanya Allah telah mencintaimu seperti engkau mencintai si fulan karena-Nya”. HR. Muslim.

f. Ungkapkan rasa cinta anda kepadanya dengan ucapan: " Aku mencintaimu karena Allah" dan yang diberi ucapan harus menjawab," semoga Allah mencintaimu". Sabda Nabi:

“Ada seorang lelaki di sisi Nabi shallallahu `alaihi wasallam, lalu seorang lelaki lewat maka yang di sisi Nabi berkata: “Wahai Rasulullah, sungguh aku mencintai orang ini”, Nabi shallallahu `alaihi wasallam bersabda kepadanya: “Apakah engkau telah memberitahukannya?”, ia berkata : “Tidak”, ia bersabda : “Beritahu dia”, lalu ia menyusul orang tersebut dan berkata : “Sesungguhnya aku mencintaimu karena Allah”, lalu ia menjawab : “Semoga Zat yang engkau mencintaiku karena-Nya mencintaimu”. HR Abu Daud

Bilamana tips di atas anda ikuti dan laksanakan dengan seksama niscaya anda akan terlepas dari belenggu cinta terhadap yang fana (binasa) berganti dengan cinta kepada Dzat yang Baqa' (kekal) yang menentramkan jiwa dan raga.

Semoga Allah menjadikan kita orang- orang yang saling bercinta karena-Nya yang nanti dijanjikan Allah mendapat naungan 'Arsy di hari yang tidak ada naungan kecuali naungan Nya.

Akhirnya marilah kita menadahkan tangan berdoa kepada Allah dengan doa sya'ir cinta yang pernah dilantunkan oleh Nabi Daud dan Nabi Muhammad shallallahu `alaihim wasallam :

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَالْعَمَلَ الَّذِيْ يُبَلِّغُنِيْ إِلىَ حُبِّكَ اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ حُبَّكَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ نَفْسِيْ وَأَهْلِيْ وَمِنَ الْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ

(Ya Allah, sesungguhnya aku meminta kepada-Mu untuk mencintai-Mu dan mencintai orang yang mencintai-Mu, dan amalan yang menyampaikan kepada cinta-Mu, ya Allah, jadikanlah mencintai-Mu lebih kucintai daripada diriku, keluargaku, dan air yang sejuk)”. HR. Tarmizi.

oleh: Erwandi Tarmizi. MA

Ruling on celebrating Valentine’s Day


What is the ruling on Valentine’s Day?


Praise be to Allaah.


Firstly:

Valentine’s Day is a jaahili Roman festival, which continued to be celebrated until after the Romans became Christian. This festival became connected with the saint known as Valentine who was sentenced to death on 14 February 270 CE. The kuffaar still celebrate this festival, during which immorality and evil are practised widely. For more details on this celebration, please see: Celebrating Valentine’s Day .


Secondly:

It is not permissible for a Muslim to celebrate any of the festivals of the kuffaar, because festivals come under the heading of shar’i issues which are to be based on the sound texts.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Festivals are part of sharee’ah, clear way and rituals of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):


“To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way” [al-Maa’idah 5:48]
“For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow” [al-Hajj 22:67]


-- such as the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. There is no difference between their participating in the festival and their participating in all other rituals. Joining in fully with the festival is joining in with kufr, and joining in with some of its minor issues is joining in with some of the branches of kufr. Indeed, festivals are one of the most unique features that distinguish various religions and among their most prominent symbols, so joining in with them is joining in with the most characteristic and prominent symbols of kufr. No doubt joining in with this may lead to complete kufr.

Partially joining in, at the very least, is disobedience and sin. This was indicated by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he said: “Every people has its festival and this is our festival.” This is worse than joining them in wearing the zinaar (a garment that was worn only by ahl al-dhimmah) and other characteristics of theirs, for those characteristics are man-made and are not part of their religion, rather the purpose behind them is simply to distinguish between a Muslim and a kaafir. As for the festival and its rituals, this is part of the religion which is cursed along with its followers, so joining in with it is joining in with something that is a cause of incurring the wrath and punishment of Allaah. End quote from Iqtida’ al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/207).

He also said (may Allaah have mercy on him): It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in anything that is uniquely a part of their festivals, whether it be food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, refraining from a regular habit, doing acts of worship or anything else. It is not permissible to give a feast or to give gifts, or to sell anything that will help them to do that for that purpose, or to allow children and others to play games that are part of the festivals, or to wear one’s adornments.

To conclude: the Mulsims should not do any of their rituals at the time of their festivals; rather the day of their festival should be like any other day for the Muslims. The Muslims should not do anything specific in imitation of them. End quote from Majmoo al-Fataawa (25/329).

Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the Christians have a festival, and the Jews have a festival, it is only for them, so no Muslim should join them in that, just as no Muslim should join them in their religion or their direction of prayer. End quote from Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, published in Majallat al-Hikmah (4/193)

The hadeeth to which Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah referred was narrated by al-Bukhaari (952) and Muslim (892) from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: Abu Bakr came in and there were two young girls of the Ansaar with me who were singing about what had happened to the Ansaar on the day of Bu’aath. She said: And they were not (professional) singing girls. Abu Bakr said: “Musical instruments of the shaytaan in the house of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?!” and that was on the day of Eid. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O Abu Bakr, every people has a festival and this is our festival.”

Abu Dawood (1134) narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah, they had two days when they would play. He said: “What are these two days?” They said: “We used to play on these days during the Jaahiliyyah.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has given you instead of them two days that are better than them: the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr.” This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

This indicates that festivals are among the characteristics by which nations are distinguished, and it is not permissible to celebrate the festivals of the ignorant and the mushrikeen (polytheists).

The scholars have issued fatwas stating that it is haraam to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

1 –Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:


In recent times the celebration of Valentine’s Day has become widespread, especially among female students. It is a Christian festival where people dress completely in red, including clothes and shoes, and they exchange red flowers. We hope that you can explain the ruling on celebrating this festival, and what your advice is to Muslims with regard to such matters; may Allaah bless you and take care of you.

He replied:

Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not permissible for a number of reasons.

It is an innovated festival for which there is no basis in Islam.
It promotes love and infatuation.
It calls for hearts to be preoccupied with foolish matters that are contrary to the way of the righteous salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them).

It is not permissible on this day to do any of the things that are characteristic of this festival, whether that has to do with food, drinks, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else.


The Muslim should be proud of his religion and should not be a weak character who follows every Tom, Dick and Harry. I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and to protect us and guide us.

End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (16/199)


2 – The Standing Committee was asked:


Some people celebrate Valentine’s Day on the fourteenth of February every year. They exchange gifts of red roses and wear red clothes and congratulate one another. Some bakeries make red coloured sweets and draw hearts on them, and some stores advertise products that are especially for this day. What is your opinion on the following:

Celebrating this day
Buying things from the stores on this day
Storekeepers who are not celebrating it selling things that may be given as gifts to people who are celebrating it?


They replied:


The clear evidence of the Qur’aan and Sunnah – and the consensus of the early generations of this ummah – indicates that there are only two festivals in Islam: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Any other festivals that have to do with a person, a group, an event or anything else are innovated festivals, which it is not permissible for Muslims to observe, approve of or express joy on those occasions, or to help others to celebrate them in any way, because that is transgressing the sacred limits of Allaah, and whoever transgresses the sacred limits of Allaah has wronged himself. If the fabricated festival is also a festival of the kuffaar, then the sin is even greater, because this is imitating them and it is a kind of taking them as close friends, and Allaah has forbidden the believers to imitate them and take them as close friends in His Holy Book. And it is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Valentine’s Day comes under this heading because it is an idolatrous Christian festival, so it is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to observe it or approve of it or congratulate people on it. Rather he has to ignore it and avoid it, in obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, and so as to keep away from the causes that incur the wrath and punishment of Allaah. It is also haraam for the Muslim to help people to celebrate this or any other haraam festival by supplying any kind of food or drink, or buying or selling or manufacturing or giving or advertising etc., because all of that is cooperating in sin and transgression and is disobedience towards Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):


“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]


The Muslim must adhere to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah in all his affairs, especially at times of fitnah when evil is widespread. He should be smart and avoid falling into the misguidance of those who have earned Allaah’s anger and who have gone astray, and the evildoers who have no fear of Allaah and who do not have any pride in being Muslims. The Muslim must turn to Allaah and seek His guidance and remain steadfast in following it, for there is no Guide except Allaah and no one can make a person steadfast but Him. And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.


3 – Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (may Allaah preserve him) was asked:


Among our young men and women it has become common to celebrate Valentine’s Day, which is named after a saint who is venerated by the Christians, who celebrate it every year on February 14, when they exchange gifts and red roses, and they wear red clothes. What is the ruling on celebrating this day and exchanging gifts?


He replied:


Firstly:

it is not permissible to celebrate these innovated festivals, because it is an innovation for which there is no basis in Islam. It comes under the heading of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.”

Secondly:

it involves imitating the kuffaar and copying them by venerating that which they venerate and respecting their festivals and rituals, and imitating them in something that is part of their religion. In the hadeeth it says: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Thirdly:

it results in evils and haraam things such as wasting time, singing, music, extravagance, unveiling, wanton display, men mixing with women, women appearing before men other than their mahrams, and other haraam things, or things that are a means that leads to immorality. That cannot be excused by the claim that this is a kind of entertainment and fun. The one who is sincere towards himself should keep away from sin and the means that lead to it.


And he said:


Based on this, it is not permissible to sell these gifts and roses, if it is known that the purchaser celebrates these festivals or will give these things as gifts on those days, so that the seller will not be a partner of the one who does those innovations. And Allaah knows best. End quote.

And Allaah knows best.

Courtesy of Islam Q&A

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