Nafsiya Reflections: Harmless or Harmful Celebrations

Assalamu alaikum wrwb... and welcome to today’s episode of Nafsiyah Reflections... ‘Harmless or Harmful Celebrations?’

Marking Valentines day on 14 February is in memory of a Christian Saint, named Valentine, as many people will know. Valentines day was gradually popularised from the 15th century onward, until it became commercialised in Victorian times.

The idea of sending cards, chocolates and flowers as an act of romance, took root very soon and grew to become a multi billion dollar industry that it is today. Creating and maintaining any industry based upon a collective celebration in society, such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter - requires that advertising and sales of products cater for the varying levels of consumer demand, and that these begin months in advance, whipping up a frenzied atmosphere as the date arrives.

In the Global Village, all these celebrations have been successfully exported worldwide, and are now viewed as global celebrations, even in the Muslim lands - despite their values and religious significance being completely at odds with the sublime values of Islam. Dubai for example boasts the largest and most expensive Christmas tree in the world, dripping with real jewels and all manner of gaudy ornaments. Likewise Halloween is becoming a popular event in Pakistan, with children marking the day by dressing up just as children do in the States.

When nations uphold these celebrations, they are easily popularised and individuals feel under pressure to conform to the new normal, rather than seem old fashioned or boring or unable to change with the times. Especially as it is all presented as ‘fun’ and ‘harmless’.

Sadly, the introduction of these celebrations in developing and Muslim nations are confused with societal ‘progress’ so they are adopted very quickly along with the framework of secular liberalism. When it comes to any celebrations today, the consumer culture bombards us with an ever increasing spectrum of images and ideals of fulfillment, that advertisers have cleverly created to agitate the instincts of the masses, so that on the one hand people want to spend, in the hope of buying into fulfillment and happiness.

Whilst at the same time we are being ideologically accustomed to freedom and liberalism as values, with secularism as their basis in life. Celebrations are presented as Universal, and something for all to take part in, with no link to beliefs or ideas. Today, the original link is diluted so people all over the world are presented with one vision for development, normality and what is acceptable. That is the Western Secular Liberal Model.

As Muslims our Islamic identity is unique, we are clear and secure in our understanding about the rules mandated by Allah swt that relate to men and women. Men and women are encouraged to cooperate in work, within families and for the sake of education in a manner that doesn’t increase any potential for harm and distress; to believe that Valentines is a harmless celebration is to be naive and blinkered... even the Western nations themselves will admit to its negative fallout.

The young and old, men and women develop a tainted and often abnormal idea of love and romance, which is no doubt an established precursor to the vast array of family breakdowns and social problems, even disease; that exist in Western societies. When it comes to other celebrations, like Christmas, a spirit of family and togetherness is presented, despite this holiday being a time where family breakdowns are at a peak. So not to have a Turkey dinner and present exchanges is unbecoming to the spirit of the season. But this is hardly true for many in the West.

New Year is currently pushed as a time for self reflection and setting goals or resolutions, yet after a few weeks many people fail or if they did not, they still live a life without real meaning. Instead of looking at the whole of our life as a time to reflect and improve we can easily mark the New Year as a date for this activity, as this is what everyone else is talking about.

As Muslims we must wake up to the grim realities of Western culture, however it is being presented to us, aside from these celebrations. Progress has to be defined according to Islam, as Umar bin al Khattab (RA) had said ,"إنَّا كنَّا أذلَّ قوم، فأعزَّنا الله بالإسلام، فمهما نطلب العِزَّة بغير ما أعزَّنا الله به أذلَّنا الله"

“Verily, we were a disgraceful people and Allah honored us with Islam. If we seek honor from anything besides that with which Allah has honored us, then Allah will disgrace us.”

The blueprint of a Muslim is not the popular culture of the secular west that may seem harmless. The blueprint for a Muslim is set by Allah and his Messenger. Our honour and dignity comes only from Islam.

In surah an Nisaa ayah 59, Allah swt says, Bismillah ir Rahman nir Raheem.

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اَطِيۡـعُوا اللّٰهَ وَاَطِيۡـعُوا الرَّسُوۡلَ وَاُولِى الۡاَمۡرِ مِنۡكُمۡ​ۚ فَاِنۡ تَنَازَعۡتُمۡ فِىۡ شَىۡءٍ فَرُدُّوۡهُ اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَالرَّسُوۡلِ اِنۡ كُنۡـتُمۡ تُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالۡيَـوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ​ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ خَيۡرٌ وَّاَحۡسَنُ تَاۡوِيۡلًا‏

“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result”.

So the challenge for us is to change the society to conform to Islam, not change what Islam teaches us to conform to the society. We cannot be ignorant or naive about the inherent flaws in the capitalist system and its inability to generate a holistic progress. We may see some things as harmless fun, or we may adapt those celebrations into a ‘halal’ form, but we should realise that these celebrations represent a way of life that is not our way of life.

Ultimately it is a state that has a strong ideology that can remove these harms that penetrate through popular culture, social media and education into our minds. Whilst we can avert some harm ourselves, the development of a strong identity, clear criteria and conviction in Islam alone, will lead the Ummah away from celebrations and actions that have no place in the life of a Muslim. This requires an ideological Islamic Khilafah system, with its clear education system and an atmosphere of taqwa in society as a whole.

Until next time, wasalaam u alaykum wa rahamtullahee wabarakathu!