Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, but in Islam, it is forbidden. The Islamic world rejects this holiday not only because of its Christian and Western origins but also because love itself—true, selfless, and unconditional love—is incompatible with Islam’s vision of God. Islam’s deity, Allah, is not a God of love but a master of vengeance, control, and servitude. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the God of love, forgiveness, and freedom. This stark difference explains why Islamic clerics ban Valentine's Day while Christians embrace it.
Allah: A God of Hate and Vengeance
Islam does not teach that God is love. Nowhere in the Qur’an does it say "Allah is love," while the Bible explicitly states, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The nature of Allah is one of conditional mercy, but overwhelmingly he is a god of wrath and vengeance.
Allah’s love is not freely given but is contingent on obedience. The Qur’an states:
“Indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 3:32)
“Allah does not love the wrongdoers.” (Qur’an 3:57)
“Allah does not love the transgressors.” (Qur’an 2:190)
“Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away, then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 3:32)
Here, we see that Allah does not offer unconditional love. His so-called “mercy” is reserved only for those who submit entirely to his rule. This is not love but tyranny. Under Islam, love is a transaction, and if you fail to meet the demands, you are condemned.
The Ban on Valentine’s Day: A Symptom of Islam’s Hatred for Love
In the Muslim world, Valentine’s Day is frequently banned. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, and Indonesia have outlawed the celebration, with clerics issuing fatwas against it. The reason is simple: Islam cannot tolerate the concept of love beyond its rigid, legalistic framework. Love between a man and a woman must exist under strict Sharia law, often through arranged marriages, polygamy, and control of women. Romantic love—free, voluntary, and passionate—is a threat to the Islamic power structure.
Islamic scholars justify this ban by calling Valentine’s Day a “Christian” or “Western” tradition. The Pakistani religious council, for example, declared:
“Valentine’s Day has no connection with our culture, and it should be avoided. It promotes immorality and Western values that are against Islam.” (Dawn News, February 2017)
But what they truly fear is the idea of love without coercion. Islam is a religion of control, not of free will, and certainly not of free love.
Jesus Christ: A God of Love and Forgiveness
In contrast, Jesus Christ embodies love. The very essence of Christian faith is built upon the love of God for humanity, expressed most powerfully through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The Bible tells us:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Unlike Allah, who only “loves” those who obey him, Jesus loves even sinners and enemies. He preached:
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
Christ’s love is liberating. In Christianity, love is a gift, not a demand. Jesus offers redemption freely, while Islam enslaves its followers under fear of divine punishment. Christ says:
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
This freedom is foreign to Islam, which is why Valentine’s Day—a celebration of love, choice, and affection—has no place in Islamic theology.
The Reality of Love Under Islam
Islam’s opposition to Valentine’s Day is not just about rejecting a holiday—it is about rejecting love itself. Under Islamic law, love is secondary to obedience, and women especially suffer under this system. Muslim-majority countries frequently enforce laws that restrict women’s rights in love and marriage:
- Forced marriages: Girls as young as nine are married off in countries like Iran and Afghanistan, following the example of Muhammad’s marriage to Aisha (Sahih Bukhari 5133).
- Honor killings: Women who fall in love outside Islamic boundaries are often murdered by their own families.
- Polygamy: Islam allows men to have up to four wives (Qur’an 4:3), reducing women to objects of possession rather than partners in love.
These realities expose the emptiness of Islam’s so-called morality. Islam rejects Valentine’s Day because it rejects love that is based on free will, mutual respect, and genuine affection.
Conclusion: The Choice Between Slavery and Love
Islam and Christianity present two radically different understandings of God and love. Islam’s Allah is a master of control, who hates disbelievers and demands submission, while Jesus Christ is the God of love, who forgives sinners and offers salvation freely. The banning of Valentine’s Day in Islamic countries is a reflection of Islam’s opposition to love itself.
On this Valentine’s Day, Christians should not only celebrate love with their spouses and families but also remember the millions trapped under the oppressive rule of Islam. The world needs more of Christ’s love—not Allah’s hate.
Citations
- The Holy Bible, New International Version.
- The Qur’an, various translations.
- Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5133.
- Dawn News, Pakistan, “Religious Authorities Ban Valentine’s Day” (February 2017).
- BBC News, “Saudi Arabia’s Ban on Valentine’s Day” (February 2016).
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