Valentine's Day Background and its Reality
Valentine's Day, the central idea of which is the expression of love. This festival, which is celebrated every year, especially in Europe and America, on February 14, originated from a Roman festival Lupercalia, which was celebrated in the third century on February 15 in Rome by the ancient Roman inhabitants. Some people considered this festival a celebration of fertility, while others considered this day sacred because of the goddess of marriage (Juno). In those days, idolatry was common among the Romans. The Roman king Claudius Goth II was also an idolater. After Valentine's death, the Roman Catholic Church started celebrating this day as St. Valentine's Day. Two of the many stories told about this day are included in this article.
“Its history is connected to the Christian monk Valentine in such a way that when the Roman King Claudius II had difficulty preparing an army for war, the king investigated the reasons. When the king learned that married people were not willing to leave their families and homes and go to war, he banned marriage. But this Christian priest Valentine, violating this royal decree, not only secretly married himself but also started marrying other people. When the king found out, he arrested Valentine and executed him on February 14 for this crime."
The second story is that Valentine considered the emperor's move to ban marriage unfair. He violated the king's law by secretly marrying. When Claudius learned of this, he put him in jail and sentenced him to death. It is also said that Valentine was killed for trying to help Christians who were being mistreated for escaping from Roman prisons during the reign of Emperor Claudius II... When the king learned of the saint's charitable activities, he asked him to appear in the royal court and asked him why he was a friend of the emperor's enemies? Saint Valentine replied, "My Lord! If you knew the gift of God, you would be happy with your kingdom and reject the worship of idols and worship the true God and his son Jesus Christ..." Finally, the king put Valentine to death on February 14, 269 AD.
What was the connection of the day of love with the name of Saint Valentine? In this regard, historians write that Valentine healed the eyes of the jailer's blind daughter during his imprisonment, and in his farewell letter to the girl before his execution, he wrote "Your Valentine", which was a symbol of his silent love. It is also said that this method of love became common later, which is why the day of February 14 began to be celebrated as an expression of love after Valentine's death. A Christian section is also seen opposing Valentine's marriage, the reason for this is that priests and nuns serve in place of Christ, they are running his mission, Christ did not marry, so priests and nuns cannot marry based on his religious teachings.
Since the eighteenth century, people have paid more attention to celebrating this day in imitation of each other. For example, greeting cards are designed in the style of hearts, gifts are also given in gift bags of the same style, parties are held, married couples and the younger generation eagerly await this day. The most popular gift is the red rose, which is considered a symbol of love in Europe. Due to the high demand for red roses on February 14, thousands of tons of red rose flowers are imported from Kenya and other warm countries, especially in America, Canada and European countries, especially in Britain. This custom or festival, which started from Rome, is now celebrated in almost all countries of the world, officially or unofficially. In Muslim countries too, the younger generation, who are fond of Western culture, seem to be influenced by this day.
Valentine's Day and holding dance parties in educational institutions, a moment of thought for parents
With the passage of time, the style and method of celebrating Valentine's Day is also changing. In Western countries, from the beginning of the month of February, teachers start putting the love of Valentine's Day in the minds of young children. From primary classes to twelfth class students, films are shown and lectures are given in accordance with this festival. In addition, dance and music gatherings are held in the gyms of schools in which students dance and sing with their opposite gender. Such events are advertised by putting up posters at the entrances, halls and libraries of schools. Parents are often unaware of such events. These dance parties are gaining considerable popularity day by day. In fact, whether it is Valentine's Day or a custom like Halloween, all these have now become a part of the education system. Avoiding them is no longer possible. Ahmadi Muslim children must protect themselves from this obscenity and these frivolities. It is the duty of parents to inform their children from time to time about the harmful effects of such events. The best solution to avoid such useless gatherings is that parents bring their children home at this particular time or the children tell their teacher that we do not want to participate in this dance, instead we will spend time reading books in the library. Khaksar is an eyewitness to such parties, celebrations and their deadly effects due to being associated with the Department of Teaching and Training. We have pledged allegiance to the Imam Mahdi, peace be upon him, whom Allah Almighty has sent as the judge and justice of the age.
He, peace be upon him, has come to save us from all kinds of immorality and wickedness. He, peace be upon him, states in the second condition of allegiance: That he/she shall abstain from falsehood, fornication, obscenity, and every kind of wickedness, tyranny, treason, corruption and rebellion; and shall not be overcome by passions, howsoever strong they may be. (Advertisements Completion of Tabligh 12 January 1889)
Marriage is not a crime, but it is a sacred duty that Allah Almighty has commanded the followers of every religion. Living together without marriage is illegitimate and causes the wrath of God. This is by no means love but a major sin, a sin that creates corruption in society and gives rise to all kinds of evils. It should also be remembered that Islam has not forbidden giving gifts in such a situation if the purpose is good, but has encouraged it. But on Valentine's Day, the younger generation's spending of a lot of money on the exchange of gifts only in imitation of others is beyond comprehension, only in America, 5.27 billion dollars will be spent in the current year. Which is 2 million more than last year.
If the stories mentioned above are accepted as correct, then according to them, Saint Valentine's only crime was that he gave the message of the Oneness of God to the cruel king and married according to the command of Allah Almighty and encouraged others to marry. In this respect, it was a great step, keeping this example in mind, all the followers of Valentine and all the madmen and wise men should follow in the footsteps of their priest with great enthusiasm on February 14 every year. In the wedding ceremony, present bouquets of red roses with cards and chocolates to your future wives. In this case, all this is permissible. Otherwise, the red rose flower that this younger generation gives to their opposite gender on February 14, or this act on dating and prime night, will only promote obscenity and evils.
We and our Ahmadi children should always remember that we do not celebrate Valentine's Day nor does our religion allow obscenity and customs. Our great Prophet, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: مَنْ تَشَبَّہَ بِقَوْمٍ فَھُوَ مِنْھُمْ (Sunan Abi Dawood. Hadith 4031) Whoever imitates a nation is one of them.
Islam teaches us the lesson of love and affection every day, every moment. Love is a very pure word. Love for Allah Almighty, love for His beloved Messenger, peace be upon him, love for the creation of Allah, love for the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, and his Khulafa, love of parents for their children and children for their parents, and then the love of husband and wife for each other, this is legitimate and pure love. May Allah Almighty enable us and our children to appreciate these loves. Amen.