Valentine’s Day: A Muslim’s Perspective on Love and Affection

When I Embraced Islam, I Fell in Love with the True Concept of Love

Every February 14, the world turns red with roses, chocolates, and grand gestures of love. Valentine’s Day is marketed as a day to express affection, but as Muslims, it’s important to reflect on love through the lens of Islam.

I Never Knew How Deep the Concept of Love in Islam Truly Is

Before embracing Islam, I thought love was simply about emotions—grand gestures, fleeting romance, and the highs and lows of relationships. 

But when I started learning about Islam, I realized how deep and profound the concept of love truly is.

Love in Islam isn’t just a feeling; it’s an action, a responsibility, and a means to attain Allah’s pleasure. It’s not limited to a single day or a specific person but extends to our families, friends, spouses, and even humanity as a whole. 

Love in Islam is built on sincerity, trust, and selflessness, rather than momentary passion.

Love in Islam: More Than One Day

Islam doesn’t confine love to a single day. True love is continuous—expressed daily through kindness, patience, and sincere actions. 

The love between spouses, parents and children, and even friends is an ongoing commitment, not something celebrated only once a year.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

إِذَا أَحَبَّ الرَّجُلُ أَخَاهُ فَلْيُخْبِرْهُ أَنَّهُ يُحِبُّهُ

"When a man loves his brother, he should tell him that he loves him." (Sunan Abu Dawood 5124)

This hadith teaches us that love—whether for a spouse, family, or friend—should be expressed regularly and sincerely.

The Beauty of Halal Love

One of the most beautiful things I learned in Islam is that love is meant to bring us closer to Allah. Marriage, for example, isn’t just a union of two people but a partnership blessed by Allah. The affection between husband and wife is described beautifully in the Quran:

"And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find tranquility in them, and He has placed between you affection and mercy." - (Quran 30:21)

This verse made me reflect—love isn’t just about romance; it’s about sakinah (tranquility), rahmah (mercy), and mawaddah (deep affection). 

It’s about being a source of peace for one another, through hardships and ease.

Before Islam, I saw love as something uncertain—based on emotions that could change. But Islam taught me that true love is rooted in commitment, respect, and mutual efforts to grow together.

Should Muslims Celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day has historical roots in pagan and Christian traditions, and while it may seem harmless, it promotes a culture of casual relationships and temporary affection. Islam teaches us to be mindful of our actions and not imitate customs that contradict our values.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever imitates a people is one of them." (Abu Dawood 4031)

Instead of celebrating a day with questionable origins, we should focus on expressing love in ways that align with Islamic teachings—showing kindness to our spouses, strengthening family bonds, and reminding our loved ones that we appreciate them every day.

A Better Alternative: Love Every Day for the Sake of Allah

Instead of following commercialized trends, let’s use this as a reminder to practice genuine love daily:

• Express gratitude to your spouse with kind words and gestures.
• Strengthen bonds with family members through acts of service and dua.
• Remind your friends of your love for them for the sake of Allah.

Islam taught me that true love is not about grand gestures on a single day—it’s about consistency, sincerity, and building relationships that bring us closer to Allah. And I can’t think of anything more beautiful than that.

I hope you find this helpful and a reminder that love in Islam is far deeper than fleeting emotions or grand gestures on a single day.

True love is built on sincerity, patience, and a connection that brings us closer to Allah. Whether it’s through marriage, family, or friendship, Islam teaches us that love should be nurtured daily—not just celebrated once a year.

May Allah bless us with relationships that bring peace to our hearts, strengthen our faith, and lead us toward Him. And may we always express love in ways that are pleasing to Him.

Jazakum Allahu khayran for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts—how has Islam deepened your understanding of love? 💙