Valentine's Day leads to illicit relationships: Mufti warns Muslims

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian mufti warned Muslims around the world on Monday that Valentine's Day celebrations were not part of Islamic tradition or culture. He warned Muslims against celebrating this day as it led to illicit relationships and zina.

Federal Territories mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad claimed in a statement on his office's website yesterday that celebration of Valentine's Day led to illicit relationships and acts which were not considered lawful in Islam. He said that such acts and relationships were the main focus of the youth on this particular day.

"We have to state that this celebration is banned in Islam based on clear data that shows that it really leads to a culture of vice and zina, apart from emulating negative cultures outside of Islamic teachings," read his statement.

The mufti claimed that this prohibition was not only restricted to Islam but other major religions were also against relationships outside of wedlock.

"In fact, relations out of wedlock that becomes the main focus of youths during the day is also prohibited by other major religions in the country," he said.

He prayed in his statement for Muslims to see the real value of love and hoped that Muslims would prevent themselves from falling into the' valley of sin and vice'.

There are varying versions of Valentine's Day's origins among which a popular one relates to a Christian priest who secretly used to officiate weddings when it was not allowed to do so. However, in Asia and around the world, the day has been the subject of much controversy and commercialism.

In Pakistan, the Islamabad High Court banned the celebration of Valentine's Day across public spaces and government offices on Monday.

Read more: Islamabad High Court prohibits Valentine's Day celebrations