I agree with u Umer. Zina is so common now. You know what’s funny? We in a society where teenagers ain’t allowed to date whilst they allowed to do Zina that’s ridiculous. May Allah swt make it easy for us all.

Jazakallah Khairan Umar.

I agree with realist Islam isn’t meant to be this strict or complicated! All I hear now a days is the hate forwards the “unbelievers” just because they have different beliefs or practices doesn’t make them evil! Most of them behave better than most Muslims at least!

Indeed, Valentine’s Day has led to many negative outcomes in society and yes, now, in Muslim communities as well. I know several young youths are are partaking in not only these relationships, but also living with one another (Authubillah) as if they are married, just as Westerners do. Sadly, I think I know more Muslims on a personal level that are in premarital relationships than those that are single and living as they are supposed to or those that are married. In other words, I hear “this is my boyfriend/girlfriend” rather than “this is my husband/wife.” Very sad and frustrating. As Sr. Zaufishan said, its seemingly impossible to set any boundaries with these Muslim youth. While they say its not strange that others don’t have partners before marriage and see it as normal, they live as there lifestyle is also normal, so its very difficult for them to “see the light” at least, until maybe they get their heartbroken and see that what they had invested in was a waste for both the heart and soul.

If approached correctly, the marital relationship is so beautiful – emotionally, spiritually, physically – and I’m saying this without entering into that bond, so I pray that myself and others try their utmost best to stay patient – from what I have been told, we won’t regret it, as there is a lot of sweetness in Sabr in many aspects of life – and that Allah (swt) will Reward us in this life and in the Hereafter for pleasing Him in at least this aspect of our life as Muslims. Ameen.

You call my argument surprisingly weak but don’t actually state why. But you do go on to characterize it using faulty logic and say that it is Manichean argument.

Perhaps you did not read where i specifically stated 3 things:

1. Pagan/Christian origins
2. It’s promoting love for the sake of the nafs not love for the sake of Allah
3. Because it encourages love for the sake of the nafs it ultimately promotes zina

This last point is based on a social reality that you can’t ignore.

Obviously those fiqhi calculations you’ve ascribed to me really don’t apply.

Scholastically renegotiating indigenous customs in light of Islamic principals is different from dressing up customs that oppose Islamic ethos in an Islamic garb. The former leaves us with the option of completely discarding certain customs and other aspects of culture. The latter is what the Christians did when emperor Constantine converted. They dressed up pagan customs in Christian garb.

Umer,

Your contention is surprisingly weak. You did not buttress your points with any scholastic proof or from anything that could seemingly root from well-thought-out analysis. As far as I can see, your response stems directly from a Manichean worldview, i.e. where “America,” “American culture” “Non-Muslims” = “Kuffar,” “Bad people,” “Immorality,” “Enemies of Islam.”

As Muslims in the West we must seek to renegotiate Islam with the society we live in, by scholastically analyzing all customs and cultures in the light of Islam. Undoubtedly there are some questionable aspects to Valentines as Americans celebrate it, but what’s wrong with Muslims taking this day and appropriating it? While you’re entitled to your opinion, any approach other than the above (same paragraph) is, in actuality, putting one’s head “in the sand and … (an) ignoring of the cultural reality.”

Just my two cents,
Derrick

In a society where free sex and loose morals are encouraged this holiday only provokes actions associated with those values. Whereas in Islam, love is promoted for the sake of Allah, love in valentine’s day is promoted for the sake of the nafs. This is why this holiday isn’t restricted to just husband’s and wives, it extends to all romantic relations.

For all this talk of trying to interpret Islam through the prism of cultural relativism, those spreading the idea that this is a valid issue of ikhtilaaf seem to have their heads buried in the sand and are ignoring the cultural reality that in this society the holiday promotes zina more than anything else.

To present the discussion as if it’s an issue of valid ikhtilaaf, as if there’s a question of whether it would be sinful in the eyes of Allah, and that it might be ok for even married Muslims to partake in this holiday thus promoting a secular capitalist holiday that encourages zina is ridiculous.

All differences of opinion in fiqh are not valid and to highlight these differences to masses opposes the goals of guidance and rectification.

“He felt that the Islamic way of life is filled with hate, harshness and rigidity.”

Let’s be honest, there are lot of scholars/preachers/callers out there who give this impression. Some people simply want to talk about the “rules” in Islam, without talking about the beauty of Islam.

There was a time in my ‘hood when saying ‘love’ out loud even amongst the married, was considered some form of blasphemy. Today my peers walk hand in hand with each other outside of holy matrimony. Drawing a line for these people to follow is insane. Ackh.

Anywho, shookran Abu Majeed! Jazak’allah khairan x10000.