Kindly explain the Shar’ee ruling on exchanging gifts especially on Valentine’s day.
Question
Every year before Valentine?s day - February 14 - the media kindles our emotions to express love to our dear ones. As a wife, my husband expects me to present him a gift on that day.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Valentines day has its roots in the Christian religion. It was established to mourn the death of a Roman priest, St. Valentine of the third Century AD. (Sunday Tribune 6/2/2000)
Since Valentines day was initially associated with Christianity, the expression of love in the form of exchanging Valentines gifts on that day will not be permissible. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, Whosoever imitates a nation, is amongst them.(Abu Dawud pg.559; HM Saeed)
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
(14/02/02)
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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