Lessons From Ramadan

Assalam Alaikum,
Now that Ramadan is coming to an end, its time we review what we have learnt of Taqwa and Charity; and spread it out to other months of the year. As we all know, Ramadan is a learning month. It was sent in order for us to attain taqwa. As Allah said,"يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ"
Therefore, the month is intended for us to attain taqwa not just for use in the month but for us to attain and maintain it. We have spent the month, praying, and giving in charity. This should not stop at the end of the month. The aim is to attain taqwa. May Allah help us.
With this little advice, I'd like to say Siyam Mabrour and Eid Mubarak.

Why Wait For Valentines Day

In trying to trace the origin of Valentines Day, I have stumbled on so many different stories, which makes it extremely difficult to figure out its real origin. But the bottom line is that it is certainly a pagan tradition. Linking with it to St. Valentine is also another debate. While some people try to link it to him (probably to make it acceptable in Christianity) others reject any connection. Whatever the case is, we are NOT allowed to imitate the kuffar in any way. Thereby making the celebration of Valentines Day impermissible in Islam.

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) says in the Qur'an that, "And if any among you takes them (as Awliyaa' [friends and helpers]), then surely, he is one of them." (Q5:51)