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As-salam-o-alaikum warehmatullahi wabarakatuhu!!
Wanted to share this article I came across.. Read the full article here..
When reading the Qur’an, anyone can easily recognize the emphasis put on God’s love, compassion, graciousness, mercy and forgiveness. As a matter of fact, all chapters of the Qur’an except one begin with the phrase “in the name of God” who is described as Al-Rahman (the Benevolent) and Al-Raheem (the Merciful). This verse is often translated as “in the Name of God, the Benevolent and Merciful.” This fits the exact meaning of the definition for the love of God found in the English dictionary. These two descriptions are the most commonly used words by which Allah describes Himself in the Qur’an. These characteristics of Allah refer to His countless blessings, bounties and forgiveness He has bestowed upon us without us deserving anything. He does all of that even though we constantly break His commandments.
Similarly, when we look at the Arabic word muslim, we find that it is a person who is devoted to Allah, submitting to His will. This is exactly what the English dictionary has to say about the meaning of a person’s love for God.
Life is all about a test of realization and action. We are drawn to a realization of God’s love to us and leading a life of gratitude, which reflects our deep adoration and devotion to God. We do this hoping that our beloved Creator will be pleased with us and yearning to be with Him for eternity in the bliss of the hereafter. This well known concept of the purpose of life according to Islam perfectly reflects the meaning of the man’s love for God.
Islam enjoins the general concept of love between mankind as well. This is first and foremost done by promoting the love of God amongst our fellow man. This is manifested through our practice of the concept of “rahmah” which can be translated as love, mercy, compassion or forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ told his companions as narrated authentically in al-Targheeb (3/210):
لن تؤمنوا حتى ترحموا قالو يا رسول الله كلنا رحيم قال إنه ليس بر حمة أحدكم صاحبه و لكنه رحمة العامة
“You don’t truly believe until you have rahmah for others.” His companions responded, “We all have rahmah.” The Prophet ﷺ then told them, “Verily, you don’t reach this level of faith by just having rahmah for those who are close to you, but you must have rahmah for everyone.”
In fact this was the sum of why Allah sent the Prophet ﷺ. He says in verse 107 of al-Anbiyaa in the Qur’an,
And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds. (21:107)
In this category of general love for everything, we have another very important type of love. This is the love between the husband and a wife. So before continuing about this love and how it manifests itself between married couples, let’s talk about how one gets married according to Islam.
Finding a spouse in Islam is quite easy. It is actually much easier than in common western culture. Islam forbids anything that can possibly lead to fornication. First, let’s ponder over verse 32 of Surah al-Israa in the Qur’an,
“و لا تقربوا الزنى”
This verse means “Don’t even come close to fornicating.” (17:32)
As a result of this, it is prohibited to be alone with, flirt or touch someone from the opposite sex who isn’t your spouse or immediate family. The only mixed gender interactions should be with lowering the gaze, hijab, only speaking about a necessity like buying something, asking directions, discussing religious matters, etc… So you can see why Islam prohibits the modern concept of boyfriend/girlfriend relationships. This solves so many social problems prevalent in societies that don’t observe this seemingly strict code of mixed gender mingling. Many who were raised here in the west have many reactions to these rules, the most common of which is, “So how are we supposed to find a spouse?”
.....
The basic difference between an Islamic marriage and a western marriage is that in the west a couple generally meets without any help from the family. Their meeting is usually a result of a man’s attraction and a woman’s being flattered and enjoying his charming company. Then they proceed as a married couple – sometimes for many years – until they decide that they want to live the rest of their life with each other. Then they get married. They feel like they were already in love for some time. So they live together after getting married and they get sick of each other and get a divorce for one reason or another. In Islam, the marriage is protected by the divine legislation of God. The first factor in this preservation is that the marriage – if done correctly – is first formed through real compatibility and not physical desires which can often get a man to act in whatever way will get him what he wants and by the girl being flattered and charmed by his fake façade – or as we say in modern terminology, “his game.”
Once a Muslim couple is officially married, they understand that even with compatibility they must work for the rest of their lives to preserve love, compassion, understanding, respect and forgiveness between them. They have entered into a covenant with Allah that carries rights and responsibilities between each other. The basic foundation of that bond is found in the Holy Qur’an in verse 21 of Surah al-Rum,
“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (30:21)
That being said we are now coming close to the time in which most westerners celebrate Valentine’s Day. There is much mystery and folklore as to where this holiday came from, but the general story is that it was originally a pagan holiday. After the Roman Empire embraced Christianity, it was later named after a Catholic saint named Valentine. Folklore suggests that in the 3rd century C.E., the Roman Emperor Claudius II banned young healthy men from marriage. In defense of the divine union of marriage, St. Valentine allegedly protested this by secretly holding marriage ceremonies. He later was martyred on February 14th thus marking the date.
That being said, today this holiday has no religious affiliation and is common to both religious folk and atheists. It is a day that couples exchange cards, candy, chocolate, flowers and even jewelry as a token of their love. This is also a day where many premarital relationships happen or are forged.
So the question many Muslims have is, “What is the ruling on taking part in any of the traditional practices of this holiday?”
The vast majority of scholars hold it to be prohibited to buy, sell or take part in anything that is related to this holiday.
Wanted to share this article I came across.. Read the full article here..
When reading the Qur’an, anyone can easily recognize the emphasis put on God’s love, compassion, graciousness, mercy and forgiveness. As a matter of fact, all chapters of the Qur’an except one begin with the phrase “in the name of God” who is described as Al-Rahman (the Benevolent) and Al-Raheem (the Merciful). This verse is often translated as “in the Name of God, the Benevolent and Merciful.” This fits the exact meaning of the definition for the love of God found in the English dictionary. These two descriptions are the most commonly used words by which Allah describes Himself in the Qur’an. These characteristics of Allah refer to His countless blessings, bounties and forgiveness He has bestowed upon us without us deserving anything. He does all of that even though we constantly break His commandments.
Similarly, when we look at the Arabic word muslim, we find that it is a person who is devoted to Allah, submitting to His will. This is exactly what the English dictionary has to say about the meaning of a person’s love for God.
Life is all about a test of realization and action. We are drawn to a realization of God’s love to us and leading a life of gratitude, which reflects our deep adoration and devotion to God. We do this hoping that our beloved Creator will be pleased with us and yearning to be with Him for eternity in the bliss of the hereafter. This well known concept of the purpose of life according to Islam perfectly reflects the meaning of the man’s love for God.
Islam enjoins the general concept of love between mankind as well. This is first and foremost done by promoting the love of God amongst our fellow man. This is manifested through our practice of the concept of “rahmah” which can be translated as love, mercy, compassion or forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ told his companions as narrated authentically in al-Targheeb (3/210):
لن تؤمنوا حتى ترحموا قالو يا رسول الله كلنا رحيم قال إنه ليس بر حمة أحدكم صاحبه و لكنه رحمة العامة
“You don’t truly believe until you have rahmah for others.” His companions responded, “We all have rahmah.” The Prophet ﷺ then told them, “Verily, you don’t reach this level of faith by just having rahmah for those who are close to you, but you must have rahmah for everyone.”
In fact this was the sum of why Allah sent the Prophet ﷺ. He says in verse 107 of al-Anbiyaa in the Qur’an,
And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds. (21:107)
In this category of general love for everything, we have another very important type of love. This is the love between the husband and a wife. So before continuing about this love and how it manifests itself between married couples, let’s talk about how one gets married according to Islam.
Finding a spouse in Islam is quite easy. It is actually much easier than in common western culture. Islam forbids anything that can possibly lead to fornication. First, let’s ponder over verse 32 of Surah al-Israa in the Qur’an,
“و لا تقربوا الزنى”
This verse means “Don’t even come close to fornicating.” (17:32)
As a result of this, it is prohibited to be alone with, flirt or touch someone from the opposite sex who isn’t your spouse or immediate family. The only mixed gender interactions should be with lowering the gaze, hijab, only speaking about a necessity like buying something, asking directions, discussing religious matters, etc… So you can see why Islam prohibits the modern concept of boyfriend/girlfriend relationships. This solves so many social problems prevalent in societies that don’t observe this seemingly strict code of mixed gender mingling. Many who were raised here in the west have many reactions to these rules, the most common of which is, “So how are we supposed to find a spouse?”
.....
The basic difference between an Islamic marriage and a western marriage is that in the west a couple generally meets without any help from the family. Their meeting is usually a result of a man’s attraction and a woman’s being flattered and enjoying his charming company. Then they proceed as a married couple – sometimes for many years – until they decide that they want to live the rest of their life with each other. Then they get married. They feel like they were already in love for some time. So they live together after getting married and they get sick of each other and get a divorce for one reason or another. In Islam, the marriage is protected by the divine legislation of God. The first factor in this preservation is that the marriage – if done correctly – is first formed through real compatibility and not physical desires which can often get a man to act in whatever way will get him what he wants and by the girl being flattered and charmed by his fake façade – or as we say in modern terminology, “his game.”
Once a Muslim couple is officially married, they understand that even with compatibility they must work for the rest of their lives to preserve love, compassion, understanding, respect and forgiveness between them. They have entered into a covenant with Allah that carries rights and responsibilities between each other. The basic foundation of that bond is found in the Holy Qur’an in verse 21 of Surah al-Rum,
“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (30:21)
That being said we are now coming close to the time in which most westerners celebrate Valentine’s Day. There is much mystery and folklore as to where this holiday came from, but the general story is that it was originally a pagan holiday. After the Roman Empire embraced Christianity, it was later named after a Catholic saint named Valentine. Folklore suggests that in the 3rd century C.E., the Roman Emperor Claudius II banned young healthy men from marriage. In defense of the divine union of marriage, St. Valentine allegedly protested this by secretly holding marriage ceremonies. He later was martyred on February 14th thus marking the date.
That being said, today this holiday has no religious affiliation and is common to both religious folk and atheists. It is a day that couples exchange cards, candy, chocolate, flowers and even jewelry as a token of their love. This is also a day where many premarital relationships happen or are forged.
So the question many Muslims have is, “What is the ruling on taking part in any of the traditional practices of this holiday?”
The vast majority of scholars hold it to be prohibited to buy, sell or take part in anything that is related to this holiday.
