How to Memorize Quran: Tips for
Aug 26, 2025
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
إِنَّ لِكُلِّ دِينٍ خُلُقًا، وَخُلُقُ الْإِسْلَامِ الْحَيَاءُ
Every religion has its distinct characteristic.
And the distinct characteristic of Islam is modesty. (Sunan Ibn e Majah:4181)
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As time passes, many things are becoming popular among the people in the name of development. People are adopting them in their lives in the name of modernity without looking at their advantages and disadvantages. If you think about it deeply, you will find that many social disadvantages are hidden behind most of these things.
One of these customs and traditions is Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 14th in the name of love. This festival is being rapidly popularized in all parts of the world, especially in Islamic countries, due to which most people from all walks of life, especially young boys and girls, are falling into the trap of shamelessness and immorality.
Before adopting any festival, it is important to thoroughly research it to see whether it is in accordance with Islamic teachings or not. It is not that in the name of modernity, something is being spread among us that can accomplish the heinous act of eliminating Islamic teachings from our lives.
There are many words to say about Valentine’s Day, but the summary and essence of all the sayings is that this day is made special for young boys and girls to celebrate their love by giving especial gifts to their lover like love card and roses, etc.
Islam provides a complete civilizational framework that encompasses all aspects of human life. When Muslims adopt external cultural practices without Islamic justification, they inadvertently weaken their spiritual and cultural independence.
This dependency creates what contemporary scholars term “cultural colonization,” where communities lose their authentic identity in favor of foreign practices.
The psychological impact of constant cultural imitation extends beyond individual behavior to affect entire communities. Research in social psychology demonstrates that communities with strong cultural identity exhibit higher levels of social cohesion, mental health, and collective achievement.
Islam’s emphasis on maintaining distinct practices serves not only spiritual purposes but also strengthens community bonds and self-respect.
Islamic teachings are rooted in divine wisdom that encompasses knowledge of human nature, social dynamics, and long-term consequences that may not be immediately apparent to individuals.
The prohibition against imitating non-Islamic practices reflects this comprehensive understanding of human psychology and social behavior.
Contemporary studies on relationship psychology reveal interesting parallels with Islamic teachings about love and courtship. Research indicates that relationships built on materialistic expressions and public displays often lack the depth and durability of those founded on mutual respect, shared values, and gradual development within appropriate social frameworks.
It is not allowed by Islam for a Muslim to celebrate this day for several reasons. Some of them are in the following:
1. This custom was started by Roman Christians, while it is not allowed for a Muslim to imitate a non-Muslim in any matter. Because Islam has strictly forbidden that, Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
وَلاَ تَكُونُواْ كَالَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُواْ وَاخْتَلَفُواْ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ وَأُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
Do not be like those who fell into factions and differed among themselves86 after clear signs had come to them. A mighty chastisement awaits them. (Surah A’al e Imran:105)
The Allah’s Prophets PBUH said:
You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch), so much so that even if they entered a hole of a mastigure, you would follow them.” We said, “O Allah’s Messenger PBUH! (Do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said, “Whom else?” (Sahih Bukhari: 7320)
The Prophet also said:
He who copies any people is one of them. (Sunan Abi Dawud:4031)
Imam Ibn e Tayemya said:
The meaning of the hadith is that imitating the non-Muslims is forbidden, while the meaning of the hadith also requires that it be said that the one who imitates the non-Muslim will be counted as one of them, as Allah Almighty said in Surah Maida, verse 51: “And whoever is an ally to them among you, then indeed, he is [one] of them.” (Al-Iqtidha, vol. 01, page 314)
Imam Ibn e Tayemya also said that
All scholars, from the Companions to the present day, unanimously agree that it is forbidden to imitate the Eids and festivals of the infidels/non-Muslims. (Al-Iqtidha, Vol. 01, page 54)
All of the above details mean that it is not permissible for a Muslim to imitate non-Muslims, especially Jews and Christians, in any festival. Islam has strictly forbidden this. If someone participates in their festivals under any pretext or imitates their festivals, then he is committing a great sin by disobeying Allah. Rather, in the context of the above Quranic verse and Hadith, this person may be included from them.
2. This festival promotes pure immorality, while modesty has been described as an especial characteristic of Islam. Young boys and girls separate on this day to express their love and give gifts to each other in the name of love. It should be remembered that Islam prohibits two non-mahram men and women from being alone. Allah’s messenger said that
لاَ يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلَّا مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ
No man should stay with a lady in seclusion except in the presence of a Dhu-Muhram. (Sahih Bukhari:5233)
Rather, when two non-mahram men and women choose solitude, there is a third devil among them who constantly tempts them towards evil. The Messenger of Allah said:
أَلَا لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلَّا كَانَ ثَالِثَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ
Behold! A man is not alone with a woman, but the third of them is Ash-Shaitan. (Sunan Tirmidhi:2165)
The meeting alone of non-mahram males and females is becoming a common practice in our society, due to which social evils are arising in our community and increasing day by day. That is why the Messenger of Allah strictly forbade a man from being alone with a woman. He also forbade some close relatives who are non-mahrams to a woman from being alone with a woman. He (PBUH) said:
Beware of entering upon women. So a man from the Ansar said, “O Messenger of Allah!” What do you think about Hamu? So he said, “The Hamu is death.” (Sunan Tirmidhi:1171)
Note: “Hamu” means the brother of a woman’s husband, and he is non-mahram for her.
So it should be remembered that when a person is alone with a woman, he begins to incline towards evil. That is why it is forbidden to touch or even look at a non-mahram. The Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said:
It is better for one of you to have an iron nail driven into his head than for him to touch a non-mahram. (Tabrani Kabeer:486)
The Prophet PBUH also said:
The human heart and tongue also commit adultery. (Musnad e Ahmad:8356) And the adultery of the eye is looking (at something that is sinful to look at), and the adultery of the tongue is uttering (what it is unlawful to utter), and the inner self wishes and longs for (adultery), and the private parts turn that into reality or refrain from submitting to the temptation. (Sahih Bukhari: 6243)
The summary of the above details is that in Islam, non-mahram men and women are strictly prohibited from being alone and touching each other. This ruling also urges women to be careful about those special relatives who are usually considered very close but are non-mahrams for women, such as a husband’s brother, a sister’s husband, and any of her cousins. Rather, it is also ordered to cover up from these relatives.
Even on Valentine’s Day, non-mahram boys and girls meet each other in hotels, parks, and canteens and give each other various gifts to express their love, which is completely against Islamic teachings. In fact, sometimes unsuspecting young girls lose their respect by spending time alone with their beloved, and some are even raped. Rather, sometimes they are killed.
After losing their honor, sometimes their videos go viral on social media, which causes dishonor to them and their families in society. Due to that, sometimes these girls even commit suicide. Therefore, we can say that celebrating Valentine’s Day is a very harmful festival, both socially and morally, in addition to Islamic teachings.
This immoral festival should be boycotted in the Islamic world, and indeed throughout the world, and those who commit such a heinous act should be banned, punished, and fined.
Modern society provides numerous examples of how unregulated social interactions can lead to serious consequences. The rise in cases of harassment, assault, and relationship complications often stems from situations where appropriate boundaries are not maintained. Islamic guidelines serve as protective measures for both individuals and society.
Valentine’s Day celebrations in many contexts involve behaviors that Islam specifically prohibits, including inappropriate physical contact, private meetings, and expressions of romantic affection outside the framework of marriage.
These activities not only violate Islamic teachings but can also lead to serious social and personal consequences.
Islam celebrates love and affection within the sacred bond of marriage. The Quran describes the marital relationship using beautiful metaphors:
“هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَهُنَّ”
“They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them” (Quran 2:187).
This verse illustrates the intimate, protective, and complementary nature of the marital relationship.
The Prophet (PBUH) demonstrated beautiful expressions of love for his wives that provide guidance for Muslim couples. His kindness, playfulness, and affection toward his wives show that Islam not only permits but encourages the expression of love within marriage. These prophetic examples offer authentic Islamic alternatives to commercialized romantic gestures.
Islam emphasizes various forms of love beyond romantic relationships. Love for parents, children, relatives, friends, and the broader Muslim community are all celebrated and encouraged. The Quran and Sunnah provide numerous examples of how to express these different types of love in meaningful and spiritually rewarding ways.
The concept of brotherhood and sisterhood in Islam creates bonds of love and loyalty that transcend biological relationships. This comprehensive understanding of love provides Muslims with rich opportunities for expressing affection and building meaningful relationships without needing to adopt external cultural practices.
Young Muslims face particular challenges in navigating cultural pressures while maintaining Islamic identity. Valentine’s Day celebrations can create peer pressure that encourages young people to engage in behaviors that contradict their religious upbringing and values.
Educational institutions and community leaders have a responsibility to provide young Muslims with clear guidance about Islamic alternatives to popular cultural practices. This includes explaining the wisdom behind Islamic teachings and helping youth develop confidence in their Islamic identity.
Communities that maintain distinct Islamic practices while engaging positively with broader society tend to produce more confident and successful individuals. Young Muslims who understand and appreciate their religious heritage are better equipped to contribute positively to society while maintaining their spiritual integrity.
The preservation of Islamic values in matters of relationships and social interactions helps create communities where families are stronger, social problems are reduced, and individuals experience greater spiritual and psychological well-being.
Leading Islamic scholars and institutions worldwide have addressed the Valentine’s Day issue with remarkable consistency. The Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Muslim World League, comprising scholars from across the Islamic world, has issued clear guidance prohibiting Muslim participation in Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, one of the most respected contemporary Islamic scholars, explained that celebrating Valentine’s Day represents a form of cultural dependency that weakens Islamic identity. He emphasized that Islam provides superior alternatives for expressing love and building relationships that are both spiritually rewarding and socially beneficial.
The Standing Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta in Saudi Arabia, Al-Azhar’s Fatwa Committee in Egypt, and senior scholars from Malaysia, Pakistan, and other Islamic countries have all issued similar rulings. This scholarly consensus across different schools of Islamic jurisprudence demonstrates the clarity of Islamic guidance on this matter.
Valentine’s Day, with its focus on romantic love, gifts, and public displays of affection, contrasts with Islamic values, which emphasize modesty, sincerity, and respect in relationships. In Islam, love is cherished, but it should be expressed within the boundaries of marriage and in a manner that upholds moral and social integrity.
The Quran and Hadith guide Muslims to show love through kindness, mutual respect, and fulfilling family obligations, rather than through materialism or imitation of non-Islamic customs.
Islam promotes love for humanity, prioritizes family, and encourages modest behavior, urging Muslims to avoid celebrations that might lead to moral decay or compromise their faith. Thus, while love is central in Islam, it must be practiced in a way that aligns with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, rather than following external, commercially driven celebrations like Valentine’s Day.
