Valentine's Day Not For Muslims
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Muslim lovebirds will be safe from the February 14th, Valentine's Day commercialism that has hit the country, with Brunei' Imams cautioning against those who even think of venturing out to celebrate their love in public.

In short, the Imams have simply said “No”.

According to the religious leaders, some Muslims especially teenagers who celebrate this occasion to show love and affection might not just send greetings and gifts but drag them to go beyond the limit and even engage in promiscuous activities.

In a Friday sermon yesterday, Imams urged Muslims especially teenagers not to follow or copy this western event of celebrating.

"It is sad to note that we also celebrate such an occasion without knowing its origin, whether it is permissible in Islamic belief or otherwise. Valentine is a name of a priest who actively spreads Christianity in Rome during the reign of Roman King, Claudius II. During the King's rule, he sent Christians to prison including Valentine for spreading Christianity.

"Though facing imprisonment, Valentine still spread such teachings among inmates and assisted them to escape from prison and willing to sacrifice and get killed for the sake of spreading such teachings. His activity was detected by the Roman King, who tortured and sentence him to death on February 14."

"For Christians, Valentine is a symbol of true affection between God and mankind. This is why Christians make February 14 as a day for love and affection to commemorate the death of the priest."

Based on the explanations, it is clear that Valentine's Day is not a celebration needed among Muslims. Hence, Muslims are prohibited from observing and celebrating this occasion. Muslims are encouraged to live with love and affection among the Ummah, according to Islamic guidelines. Such affection is forever and should not be observed only on a certain day, the religious leaders said.

Love and affection according to Islam is not to socialise without limits, against Islamic law and more importantly, not to engage in any wrongdoings like committing adultery.

Affection between two individuals will not last long if they lack affection towards Allah the Almighty. While mankind's affection towards Allah is based on faith and piety, Allah's affection towards mankind is universal and everlasting.

Imams advised its Ummahs that not all cultures are good to be followed. It should be reviewed by considering the limits. For Muslims, it must be based on the Islamic law.

We should not make ourselves as `pests' to our religion and praise other religions. For instance like Valentine's Day which is initiated by other religion where the culture is against the Islamic teachings.

Muslim teenagers should possess strong faith, resilience in soul, possess national identity and not get easily influenced into engaging in bad deeds and wrongdoings. Islam is an exalted religion which some Muslims do not realise and follow western cultures in the name of modernisation without knowing that such culture is against the Islamic teachings. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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