Buying and selling Valentine’s items

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

The inception and history of Valentine’s Day is vague and clouded by various fanciful legends.[1]

However, there is reference of Valentines having its roots in Christianity and celebrating the anniversary of Valentine, the priest.

Today, Valentine is known to be a day of love and romance and more so a commercially driven holiday. Valentine promotes promiscuity and immoral behavior which is in clear opposition to the teachings of Islam. Allah Ta’ala says,

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا {32} 

“Abstain totally from zina (fornication), for it is immoral and an evil way.” (Quran 17:32)

As Muslims, we should completely disassociate ourselves from such un-Islamic events and holidays – whether it be directly participating in its activities or helping promote the holiday by purchasing items with symbols of the occasion. 

The purchasing and selling of items with symbols of such holidays should not be viewed independently. 

Items sold in relation to Valentine’s Day may be classified in three categories;

1)    Those that do not have any relation to Valentine. However, the store marks the prices down due to the holiday season. The purchase and sale of such items will be permissible.[2]

2)    Those items which are exclusive to Valentine’s Day, for example, Valentine’s Day cards. The purchase and sale of such items will be impermissible.[3]

3)    Those items which are generally permissible to buy and sell, such as chocolates and flowers, but they have symbols of Valentine.

It is makrooh (resented) to purchase and sell such items.[4]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Saad Haque

Student Darul Iftaa
New Jersey, USA 

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.