Valentine's Day and the Ocean of Immorality
By: *Mufti Muhammad Abdul Hameed Shakir Qasmi*
Toopran, District Medak, Telangana
In every era, the Muslim Ummah has faced such trials that appear very beautiful, charming, and presented as a developed civilization, but in reality, they become the cause of hollowing out faith, morality, modesty, and the family system. This trial sometimes came in the name of philosophy, sometimes in the name of freedom, and sometimes with beautiful slogans of love and civilization. In the present era, one of these trials, a very dangerous and silent poison, has infiltrated our society in the form of "Valentine's Day." To consider Valentine's Day merely a day or a festival is a big misunderstanding; in fact, it is a complete ideology, a specific cultural system, and a representative of a particular moral philosophy, which makes a person a slave to animalistic desires and deprives them of valuable qualities like modesty, honor, and shame.
Islam is not against love but is a religion that protects it within pure boundaries. The Holy Quran, while declaring the bond of marriage as a source of peace, affection, and mercy, states: وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً (Ar-Rum: 21). In this verse, it is clarified that true love is that which is associated with responsibility and lasting companionship. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, guiding the youth to the lawful path of love and desire, said: يا معشر الشباب من استطاع منكم الباءة فليتزوج (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5066; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1400). In contrast, in the present era, love has been given the name of unbounded, irresponsible, and temporary emotions, and Valentine's Day is a symbol of this distorted concept of love.
Islam has commanded to abstain from both the outward and inward aspects of immoral acts: قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ (Al-A'raf: 33). Considering modesty a part of faith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: الحياء شعبة من الإيمان (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 9; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 35). He further said: إذا لم تستحِ فاصنع ما شئت (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 6120). From this, it is known that when modesty is gone, the last barrier preventing a person from sin also disappears. On the occasion of Valentine's Day, immorality is presented in the name of fashion and freedom, due to which sin becomes normal and shame disappears.
The Holy Quran has forbidden not only adultery but also approaching it: وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَى (Al-Isra: 32). Regarding the seclusion of a non-Mahram man and woman, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: لا يخلون رجل بامرأة إلا كان الشيطان ثالثهما (Jami' Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2165). Similarly, imitation of non-Islamic cultural symbols is also forbidden: من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith: 4031). From these texts, it is clear that Islam teaches to eradicate the causes of trials from the root, while Valentine's culture promotes these very causes.
The young generation is most affected by this trial. The Quran has declared following one's desires as misguidance: أفرأيت من اتخذ إلهه هواه (Al-Jathiyah: 23). The media and social media make the youth believe that life is incomplete without free relationships, which weakens the awareness of Halal and Haram. Temporary relationships result in mental stress, anxiety, and broken emotions, while Allah Almighty has placed the path to true peace in His remembrance and obedience: ألا بذكر الله تطمئن القلوب (Ar-Ra'd: 28).
The educational field is also not safe from this onslaught. The Quran has described the quality of a successful believer that he turns away from vain things: وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ (Al-Mu'minun: 3). When students' attention is diverted from knowledge to romantic activities, educational focus is affected. Imam Shafi'i (RA) said that knowledge is light, and Allah does not grant light to a sinner (Diwan al-Shafi'i, p. 52). Similarly, without respect for teachers and discipline, education loses its soul, while the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: ليس منا من لم يوقر كبيرنا ويرحم صغيرنا (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1920).
The family system is also affected by this culture. Temporary and irresponsible relationships weaken the sanctity of marriage. The Quran has declared the family as a center of peace (Ar-Rum: 21). When immorality becomes common in society, collective consequences also emerge: ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ (Ar-Rum: 41). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that when immorality becomes public, calamities become common (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 4019).
Parents are also deeply affected by this. Allah Almighty has commanded: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا (At-Tahrim: 6). And the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: كلكم راعٍ وكلكم مسؤول عن رعيته (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 7138; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1829). The religious and moral upbringing of children is the basic responsibility of parents, and the consequences of negligence in this appear in both this world and the Hereafter.
In summary, Valentine's Day is not just a day but an ideological and cultural invasion that promotes immorality in the name of love. Islam makes love an act of worship within the boundaries of responsibility, loyalty, and marriage, while declaring free relationships as a path to destruction. If we do not keep our generations attached to modesty, faith, and morality, social decline will become inevitable. The need of the hour is that we ourselves adopt modesty, train our children, and promote the correct Islamic concept of love.
*For the youth, mobile phones are a gateway to very big trials*
In the present era, the biggest path to trials has become mobile phones and social media. That thing which is apparently a convenience and a symbol of progress, if left without supervision, can also become a gateway to moral destruction. Today, most parents give smartphones to their children at a young age, but they do not monitor their use. This carelessness later becomes the cause of big trials. The Holy Quran has a clear command: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا (At-Tahrim: 6). In this verse, not only the protection of oneself but also the protection of one's family is commanded. Unlimited freedom of mobile is actually placing children at a door from where immorality, obscenity, and illicit relationships can easily enter.
The beginning of friendships on social media usually starts with innocent conversations, but gradually it reaches emotional attachment, secret chatting, and then meetings. Initially, parents are not even aware of which intellectual and moral world their child sitting inside their home has entered. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: كلكم راعٍ وكلكم مسؤول عن رعيته (Sahih Bukhari; Sahih Muslim). Every father is the guardian of his home, and he will be questioned about how he protected his flock.
Especially gifts given by young boys have become a big trial. It starts with a flower, a chocolate, or a written message, but these gifts become a means of creating attachment in hearts. Islam has closed all paths to unnecessary relationships and emotional attachment with non-Mahrams, because these small steps lead to big sins. The Quran has forbidden not only adultery but also approaching it: وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَى (Al-Isra: 32). The exchange of gifts seems like a trivial matter, but when it is between non-Mahrams, it can create such an attachment in hearts that later becomes the cause of breaking Sharia boundaries.
Similarly, there is a need to keep a close eye on the friendships of girls as well. Nowadays, such friendships flourish in the name of "friendship" which are hidden from parents. Secret groups, chatting apps, and weekend meetings gradually weaken modesty. If parents only impose outward restrictions and do not create an environment of trust, then children do the same things secretly. Therefore, along with monitoring, wisdom, love, and training are also necessary. The way Hazrat Luqman (AS) adopted while advising his son was full of love and wisdom (Surah Luqman: 13-19). This example is a beacon for parents.
The home environment also plays a fundamental role in this issue. If there is a religious atmosphere in the house, adherence to prayer, recitation of the Quran, and an environment of mutual conversation, then children will not seek peace outside. But if every individual in the house is busy in their own world, mobile phones are in every hand, and mutual relationships are weak, then young people start looking for emotional voids outside. This void strengthens phenomena like Valentine's Day and weekend culture.
It is also necessary to explain to young boys that giving a gift to a girl or establishing a secret relationship is not masculinity but weakness. The real honor is that a person takes care of the honor of someone's daughter or sister. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that the perfect believer is the one who likes for his brother what he likes for himself (Sahih Bukhari). If a person wants a pure environment for his sister or daughter, then he should have the same thought for the daughters of others.
Similarly, it is also necessary to give girls the awareness that every smile is not love, every compliment is not sincerity, and every gift is not goodwill. Many relationships are based on temporary emotions which later become the cause of regret. Parents should give confidence to their daughters, talk to them openly, be aware of their friends, and be informed about their social circle.
Furthermore, domestic rules should be set for the use of mobile phones. For example, phones should be kept with parents during the night, social media accounts should be monitored, and unnecessary internet access should be limited at a young age. These restrictions are not strictness but protection. Just as parents do not leave their child alone on a dangerous path, similarly, do not leave them alone on the dangerous paths of the digital world.
Valentine's Day and weekend culture actually take advantage of these weaknesses. When mobile phones are unlimited, there is no monitoring, the exchange of gifts is common, and friendships are secret, then immorality is promoted. The cure for this is not just temporary speeches but domestic reform, constant monitoring, and religious training.
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*A sincere message to the youth*
O youth of the Muslim Ummah,
You are the hope of this nation which Allah Almighty has declared the best of nations. Your youth is not just a name of emotions but a trust, your eyes, your heart, and your time are all gifts from Allah, and one day you will have to give an account of all of them. Getting lost in temporary loves, showy relationships, and the artificial world of social media is against your dignity.
Remember! The love that you are considering freedom today can become regret tomorrow. The relationship that you are keeping secret can affect your peace and future. Islam does not want to suppress your emotions but wants to give them the right path with honor and protection. Through marriage, love becomes an act of worship, but a Haram relationship makes the heart restless and weakens the soul.
Your youth is for worship, knowledge, hard work, and purpose. This is the age about which you will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that a person will not be able to move his feet until he answers about his youth, where he spent it. (Sunan Tirmidhi)
Today the world gives you the slogan of freedom in the name of Valentine's Day and weekend culture, but true freedom is in getting out of the slavery of desires. The real success is in controlling the self, not in following the self.
Protect your eyes, value your time, do not break the trust of your parents, and strengthen your relationship with your Lord. If you spend your youth with modesty, piety, and purpose, then the world will also be improved, and the Hereafter will also be successful.
May Allah Almighty grant our young generation the strength of faith, the adornment of modesty, and the correct recognition of the purpose of life. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds.