Prohibition For Celebrating Valentines Day - Islamic Views

Valentines day is celebrated on February 14th as a festival of love and is becoming a part of the culture not only in the the west but also among the Muslims. It is important to understand where this comes from and why it is prohibited to celebrate this day.

Going Back To The Origin Of Valentines day- Where It comes From?
Since the origin of the human beings on this earth , people worshiped their creator in different ways. Allah sent messengers to different nations to guide them to the true path and to worship only one God and to stay away from the false gods but among the people some did worship one true God but some were misguided and either made idols to worship or some worshiped nature, like sun, moon, and some based their religion on the movement of the sun and the stars.
Similarly they had some myths in which they believed and gave spiritual importance. The Festival of love was celebrated by the pagan Roman like more than seventeen centuries ago in the mid of February. Later this festival was adopted by the Christians.

Where Does The Name Valentine Comes From? 
Saint Valentine  is the name given to two ancient martyrs of the christian church about whom it is believed that they died in Rome as the result of the persecution of the Gothic leader Claudius.
The Romans would not let man marry because they wanted them to serve in the army but this Saint was against it and helped people get married secretly. later when he was caught and executed he wrote a letter to a couple in the end stating from your Valentine and from here comes the origin of name valentines for this day.
When the Romans embraced Christianity , they continued to celebrate their 'festival of love' but just changed the name to 'martyrs of love' represented by saint valentine who advocated love and peace and with time it got the name 'valentines day'.

Why Should Muslims Not Celebrate Valentines Day?
After knowing the origin of valentines day it is clear that it is a pagan festival and Muslims has nothing to do with it but unfortunately nowadays this day is celebrated for fun, for exchanging gifts and flowers, to propose for a marriage and even by some people to get married on this day. Here i would like to summarize a few points why this day should not be given any importance by the Muslims and not to be celebrated:

1. Allah says in the Holy Quran in Surah Al-Imran Chapter 3 verse 85:

Breaking Bad News To A Patient- Medical Ethics

Breaking bad news to a patient is one of the most difficult duties for a physician. Without proper training and formal preparation the discomfort and the uncertainty associated with breaking a bad news can lead to emotional misunderstandings between the physician and the patient.

What Is Bad News?
Information that can drastically alter the life and the world of the patient is termed as a bad news.

Reasons Why It is a Difficult Task To Break Bad News?
Conveying a bad news to the patient is a skilled communication and not at all easy. There are many reasons why it is a challenging task for the physicians and doctors.

1. The amount of truth to be disclosed is subjective.
2. There is a feeling of incompetence on the part of the physician and a fear of a negative reaction from the patient and the relatives.
3. The physician is reminded of his/her own vulnerability to a terminal illness and many times they find themselves helpless over the emotional distress.
4. Lack of sufficient training in breaking bad news is a major drawback to most physicians and health care workers.

A Few Protocols To Learn For breaking Bad News:
In order to deliver a bad news to the patient in a diciplined and a structured manner different protocols have been adviced and few of them are discussed below:

A Supplication For Asking Forgiveness from Allah

Holy Quran As A Clear Guidance

Virtues of Doing Istighfar ( Asking Forgiveness From Allah)

'Istighfar' Or Saying 'Astaghfirullah' are Arabic words which means "I seek forgiveness of Allah". It is a very simple but an important supplication for every good Muslim to remember.
We are all human beings and we can always make mistakes but Allah, the Merciful has kept the doors for repentance open for us and if we make mistakes or commit any sin it is our duty to seek Allah's forgiveness and to repent to Him.
Also it is important to note that it is not necessary to do istighfar only if we commit a sin instead we should supplicate and seek forgiveness from Allah at all times because our acts of worship and obedience are clearly insufficient to thank Allah for all the blessings which He has given us.
Allah says in the Holy Quran in Surah Az Zumar Chapter 39 verse 53:

Say; O my servants who have transgressed against there souls, despair not of the mercy of Allah; for Allah forgives all sins; for he is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

A similar message is repeated in Surah Nisa Chapter 4 verse 110:

If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul, but afterwards seeks Allah's forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah Najam Chapter 53 verse 32:

Those who avoid great sins and indecent deeds, only (falling into) small faults- certainly , your Lord is ample in forgiveness.....

Surah Hud Chapter 11 verse 90:

But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance), for my Lord is indeed full of Mercy and loving kindness. 

Asking Allah for forgiveness and repenting on our sins will wash away our bad deeds and can even change them into good deeds. This is what Allah told in the Holy Quran in Surah Furqan Chapter 25 verses 70-71:

Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous deeds, for them Allah will change the evil into good deeds, and Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful. And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah with an (acceptable) conversion- in repentance.