DEAR MUSLIM, VALENTINE IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

The Valentine weather has gathered enormous cloud whose major component is 'love'. Unlike most weather forecast with a modicum of uncertainty, this 'rain of love' is sure to fall on February 14. Valentine's Day is one of the most popular events of the year that provokes exchange of gifts traveling in various direction bearing message of love. It is not smart enough to celebrate an event we have no understanding of its essence beyond the cliche 'its about love'. Edmund Burke says, in history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind." How did it all begin? There are various historical perspectives to valentines day. According to Wikipedia, St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. Several martyrdom stories were invented for the various Valentines that belonged to February 1. A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. An embellishment to this story states that before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.[3] Today, Saint Valentine's Day is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion,[4] as well as in the Lutheran Church.[5] The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine's Day, albeit on July 6 and July 30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna (modern Terni). In Brazil, the Dia de São Valentim is recognized on June 12. Dear Muslim, how does this concern you? In another bizarre account, The roots of Valentine's Day most likely came from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which had been celebrated for eight hundred years on February 15th. The day was dedicated to the god Lupercus and young men would take a woman as a sexual companion for a year, by means of drawing her name in a lottery. Pope Gelasius changed this custom, which was unacceptable to the Catholic Church. He decreed that the lottery be changed so that both young men and women drew the names of saints to emulate for the coming year. Valentine instead of Lupercus became the patron of this feast. Despite this change in custom, Roman men continued to seek the affections of women on this date and sent notes of endearment to their sweethearts, including Valentine's name in their missives. Again, i ask. How does this connect with Islam and Muslims? i cant chart one. There is no correlation whatsoever. Now it gets a little interesting. The Christians whose religion is closely associated with St Valentines day are divided on the connection Valentine's day shares with Christianity. According to Christianity today, 'There are more tales of the "origins" of Valentine's Day than arrows in Cupid's quiver. As expected, most have something to do with pagan ritual (pretty much every holiday—from Christmas to Mother's Day—has something to do with pagan ritual). Four centuries before Christ, Romans had a day called Lupercalia. Without going too much into it, I'll sum it up as a sexual lottery. Pull names out of a box at random and couple with a young member of the opposite sex. After a year, you get to pick another name' While it is clear that Valentines day shares no historical connection with Islam( Dont mind the confusion on its origin), the manner with which it is practiced makes it worthy of further disassociation. This love sharing festival isn't between the needy and those who can help them. It is not associated with a man's show of love for his neighbor or colleague. Mbanu! It is majorly about two opposite sex. Be reminded that valentine's day has no parental guidance as we have in movies. It is for all. Connect the dots and you realize why we must stay away from this day. As the cloud continues to gather threatening a down pour of 'love' and its co-efficient, please remind your soul of Allah's pronouncement that Islam is a complete religion. We are not in need of additional festivals. we are blessed with world renowned celebrations. Let us show love to everyone as a reminder that we are all from God, equal before him and we shall return to him someday. Let us be reminded that when we copy the action of people of other faith, we are inching away from Islam. For those who may argue that it is a mere celebration of love, the implication of identifying with and promoting events that are not in consonance with Islamic ideologies isn't mere. Shun it! It wont kill you to stay away. See you on the 15th of Feb, 2014, In Sha Allah.