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What's up with 14 February?

2012-02-14T11:42:00.004+08:00

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day,^[1]^[2]^[3] is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 byPope Paul VI.

The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").^[1]^[3]

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.^[4]

Saint Valentine

Historical facts

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine.^[5] The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome (Valentinus presb. m. Romae) and Valentine of Terni (Valentinus ep. Interamnensis m. Romae).^[6] Valentine of Rome^[7] was a priest in Rome who was martyred about AD 269 and was buried on the Via Flaminia. His relics are at the Church of Saint Praxed in Rome,^[8]and at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.

Valentine of Terni^[9] became bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian. He is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni (Basilica di San Valentino).^[10]

The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of a third saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him.^[11]

No romantic elements are present in the original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in the 14th century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were utterly lost.^[12]

Saint Valentine's head was preserved in the abbey of New Minster, Winchester and venerated. But there is no evidence that Saint Valentine was a popular saint before Chaucer's poems in 14th century, not even in the area of Winchester.^[13] Saint Valentine's celebration didn't differ from the celebrations of many other saints, and no church was ever dedicated to him.^[13]

In the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed from the General Roman Calendar and relegated to particular (local or even national) calendars for the following reason: "Though the memorial of Saint Valentine is ancient, it is left to particular calendars, since, apart from his name, nothing is known of Saint Valentine except that he was buried on the Via Flaminia on February 14."^[14] The feast day is still celebrated in Balzan (Malta) where relics of the saint are claimed to be found, and also throughout the world byTraditionalist Catholics who follow the older, pre-Second Vatican Council calendar. February 14 is also celebrated as St Valentine's Day in other Christian denominations; it has, for example, the rank of 'commemoration' in the calendar of the Church of England and other parts of the Anglican Communion.^[15]

Legends

Saint Valentine of Terni and his disciples.

The Early Medieval acta of either Saint Valentine were expounded briefly in Legenda Aurea.^[16] According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christianand interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this, he was executed. Before his execution, he is reported to have performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer.

Since Legenda Aurea still provided no connections whatsoever with sentimental love, appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail.

There is an additional modern embellishment to The Golden Legend, provided by American Greetings to History.com, and widely repeated despite having no historical basis whatsoever. On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he would have written the first "valentine" card himself, addressed to the blind daughter of his jailor Asterius, signing as "From your Valentine."^[17]^[13]

Attested traditions

Lupercalia

Main article: Lupercalia

There is no evidence on any link between the modern romantic connotations of modern Saint Valentine's Day and the rites of the ancient Roman festival, despite many claims by many authors.^[18]^[13]The celebration of Saint Valentine didn't have any romantic connotations until Chaucer's poetry about "Valentines" in the 14th century.^[19]

Popular modern sources link unspecified Greco-Roman February holidays alleged to be devoted to fertility and love to St. Valentine's Day, but prior to Chaucer in the 14th century, no links between the Saints named Valentinus and romantic love existed.^[19] Earlier links as described above were focused on sacrifice rather than romantic love. In the ancient Athenian calendar the period between mid-January and mid-February was the month of Gamelion, dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera.

In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, observed February 13–15, was an archaic rite connected to fertility. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning "Juno the purifier "or "the chaste Juno", was celebrated on February 13–14. Pope Gelasius I (492–496) abolished Lupercalia.

Alban Butler in his Lifes of the Principal Saints (1756-1759) claimed without any proof that men and women in Lupercalia drew names from a jar to make couples, and that modern Valentine's letters originated from this custom. In reality, this practice originated in the Middle Ages, with no link to Lupercalia, with men drawing the names of girls at random to couple with them. This custom was combated by priests, for example by Frances de Sales around 1600, apparently by replacing it with a religious custom of girls drawing the names of apostles from the altar. However, this religious custom is recorded as soon as the 13th century in the life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, so it could have a different origin.^[13]

Geoffrey Chaucer by Thomas Occleve(1412)

Chaucer's love birds

The first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer^[20] Chaucer wrote:

For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.

["For this was Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate."]

This poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia.^[21] A treaty providing for a marriage was signed on May 2, 1381.^[22] (When they were married eight months later, they were each only 15 years old).

Readers have uncritically assumed that Chaucer was referring to February 14 as Valentine's Day; however, mid-February is an unlikely time for birds to be mating in England. Henry Ansgar Kelly has pointed out that Chaucer could be referring to May 2, the celebration in the liturgical calendar of Valentine of Genoa, an early bishop of Genoa who died around AD 307.^[23]

Chaucer's Parliament of Foules is set in a fictional context of an old tradition, but in fact there was no such tradition before Chaucer. The speculative explanation of sentimental customs, posing as historical fact, had their origins among 18th-century antiquaries, notably Alban Butler, the author of Butler's Lives of Saints, and have been perpetuated even by respectable modern scholars. Most notably, "the idea that Valentine's Day customs perpetuated those of the Roman Lupercalia has been accepted uncritically and repeated, in various forms, up to the present".^[24]^[13]

There were other three authors who made poems about birds mating in Saint Valentine's Day around the same years: Otton de Grandson from Savoy, John Gower from England, and a knight called Pardo from Valencia. Chaucer most probably predated all of them, but, due to the difficulty of dating medieval works, we can't know for sure who of the four had the idea first and influenced the others.^[25]

Medieval period and the English Renaissance

Using the language of the law courts for the rituals of courtly love, a "High Court of Love" was established in Paris on Valentine's Day in 1400. The court dealt with love contracts, betrayals, and violence against women. Judges were selected by women on the basis of a poetry reading.^[26]^[27] The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th-century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orléans to his wife, which commences.

Je suis desja d'amour tanné
Ma tres doulce Valentinée...
—Charles d'Orléans, Rondeau VI, lines 1–2^[28]

At the time, the duke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt, 1415.^[29]

Valentine's Day is mentioned ruefully by Ophelia in Hamlet (1600–1601):

To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,
And dupp'd the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.
—William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

John Donne used the legend of the marriage of the birds as the starting point for his Epithalamion celebrating the marriage of Elizabeth, daughter of James I of England, and Frederick V, Elector Palatine on Valentine's Day:

Hayle Bishop Valentine whose day this is
All the Ayre is thy Diocese
And all the chirping Queristers
And other birds ar thy parishioners
Thou marryest every yeare
The Lyrick Lark, and the graue whispering Doue,
The Sparrow that neglects his life for loue,
The houshold bird with the redd stomacher
Thou makst the Blackbird speede as soone,
As doth the Goldfinch, or the Halcyon
The Husband Cock lookes out and soone is spedd
And meets his wife, which brings her feather-bed.
This day more cheerfully than ever shine
This day which might inflame thy selfe old Valentine.
—John Donne, Epithalamion Vpon Frederick Count Palatine and the Lady Elizabeth marryed on St. Valentines day

The verse Roses are red echoes conventions traceable as far back as Edmund Spenser's epic The Faerie Queene (1590):

She bath'd with roses red, and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowres, that in the forrest grew.^[30]

The modern cliché Valentine's Day poem can be found in the collection of English nursery rhymes Gammer Gurton's Garland (1784):

The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The honey's sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou'd be you.^[31]^[32]

Valentine's Day postcard, circa 1910

Modern times

In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man's Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own. Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches, called "mechanical valentines," and a reduction in postal rates in the next century ushered in the less personal but easier practice of mailing Valentines. That, in turn, made it possible for the first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly Victorian.^[33]

Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century.^[34] In the UK, just under half of the population spend money on their Valentines and around 1.3 billion pounds are spent yearly on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts, with an estimated 25 million cards being sent.^[35] The reinvention of Saint Valentine's Day in the 1840s has been traced by Leigh Eric Schmidt.^[36] As a writer in Graham's American Monthly observed in 1849, "Saint Valentine's Day... is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday."^[37] In the United States, the first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828–1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts.^[38]^[39]

Child dressed in Valentine's Day-themed clothing.

Her father operated a large book and stationery store, but Howland took her inspiration from an English Valentine she had received from a business associate of her father.^[40]^[41] Intrigued with the idea of making similar Valentines, Howland began her business by importing paper lace and floral decorations from England.^[41]^[42] The English practice of sending Valentine's cards was established enough to feature as a plot device in Elizabeth Gaskell's Mr. Harrison's Confessions (1851): "I burst in with my explanations: '"The valentine I know nothing about." '"It is in your handwriting", said he coldly.^[43] Since 2001, the Greeting Card Association has been giving an annual "Esther Howland Award for a Greeting Card Visionary."^[39]

Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.^[4] The mid-19th century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow.^[44]

In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts in the United States. Such gifts typically include roses andchocolates packed in a red satin, heart-shaped box. In the 1980s, the diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving jewelry.

The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the US. Half of those valentines are given to family members other than husband or wife, usually to children. When you include the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines.^[38] In some North American elementary schools, children decorate classrooms, exchange cards, and are given sweets. The greeting cards of these students sometimes mention what they appreciate about each other.

The rise of Internet popularity at the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Millions of people use, every year, digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons or printable greeting cards. An estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent in 2010.^[38]

Antique and vintage Valentines, 1850–1950

Valentines of the mid-19th and early 20th centuries

Esther Howland Valentine, circa 1850: "Weddings now are all the go, Will you marry me or no"?
Handwritten poem, "To Susanna" dated Valentine's Day, 1850 (Cork, Ireland)
Comic Valentine, mid-19th century: "R stands for rod, which can give a smart crack, And ought to be used For a day on your back."
Valentine card, 1862: "My dearest Miss, I send thee a kiss" addressed to Miss Jenny Lane of Crostwight Hall, Smallburgh, Norfolk.
Folk art Valentine and envelope dated 1875 addressed to Clara Dunn of Newfield, New Jersey
Whitney Valentine, 1887; Howland sold her New England Valentine Company to the George C. Whitney Company in 1881
Seascape Valentine, date unknown
Vinegar Valentine, circa 1900

Postcards, "pop-ups", and mechanical Valentines, circa 1900–1930

Buster Brown Valentine postcard by Richard Felton Outcault, early years of 20th century
Advertisement for Prang's greeting cards, 1883
Postcard by Nister, circa 1906
Valentine postcard, circa 1900–1910
A tiny 2-inch pop-up Valentine, circa 1920
Football-playing Disney-like rat and bulldog are set in motion by the pull-tab on the right, circa 1920
A grommet affixed to the center of the card permits the dog's eyes to glance side-to-side when the blue bow is moved
Rocking horse and rider, circa 1920–1930

Children's Valentines

Children's Valentine, 1940–1950
Anthropomorphic Valentine, circa 1950–1960

Similar days celebrating love

In the West

Europe

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While sending cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts is traditional in the UK, Valentine's Day has various regional customs. In Norfolk, a character called 'Jack' Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person. In Wales, many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day) on January 25 instead of (or as well as) Valentine's Day. The day commemoratesSt Dwynwen, the patron saint of Welsh lovers. In France, a traditionally Catholic country, Valentine's Day is known simply as "Saint Valentin", and is celebrated in much the same way as other western countries. In Spain Valentine's Day is known as "San Valentín" and is celebrated the same way as in the UK, although inCatalonia it is largely superseded by similar festivities of rose and/or book giving on La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day). In Portugal it is more commonly referred to as "Dia dos Namorados" (Lover's Day / Day of those that are in love with each other).

In Denmark and Norway, although February 14 is known as Valentinsdag, it is not celebrated to a large extent, but is largely imported from American culture, and some people take time to eat a romantic dinner with their partner, to send a card to a secret love or give a red rose to their loved one. The cut-flower industry in particular is still working on promoting the holiday. In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag ("All Hearts' Day") and was launched in the 1960s by the flower industry's commercial interests, and due to the influence of American culture. It is not an official holiday, but its celebration is recognized and sales of cosmetics and flowers for this holiday are only exceeded by those for Mother's Day.

In Finland Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day". As the name indicates, this day is more about remembering all your friends, not only your loved ones. In Estonia Valentine's Day is called Sõbrapäev, which has the same meaning.

In Slovenia, a proverb says that "St Valentine brings the keys of roots", so on February 14, plants and flowers start to grow. Valentine's Day has been celebrated as the day when the first work in the vineyards and in the fields commences. It is also said that birds propose to each other or marry on that day. Nevertheless, it has only recently been celebrated as the day of love. The day of love is traditionally March 12, the Saint Gregory's day. Another proverb says "Valentin – prvi spomladin" ("Valentine — first saint of spring"), as in some places (especially White Carniola) Saint Valentine marks the beginning of spring.

In Romania, the traditional holiday for lovers is Dragobete, which is celebrated on February 24. It is named after a character from Romanian folklore who was supposed to be the son of Baba Dochia. Part of his name is the word drag ("dear"), which can also be found in the word dragoste ("love"). In recent years, Romania has also started celebrating Valentine's Day, despite already having Dragobete as a traditional holiday. This has drawn backlash from several groups, institutions^[45] and nationalist organizations like Noua Dreaptǎ, who condemn Valentine's Day for being superficial, commercialist and imported Western kitsch.

In Lithuania and Latvia, it is common for people to put stickers on faces and clothing of a friend or a relative. The holiday was first celebrated after the two countries gained independence from Soviet Union in 1990.

Valentine's Day is called Ημέρα του Αγίου Βαλεντίνου in Greece and Cyprus, which translates into "St Valentines day".Actually in Orthodox church there is an other Saint protect the people are in love,but for Greeks Valentine's Day is more popular

According to Jewish tradition the 15th day of the month of Av – Tu B'Av (usually late August) is the festival of love. In ancient times girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyards, where the boys would be waiting for them (Mishna Taanith end of Chapter 4). In modern Israeli culture this is a popular day to pronounce love, propose marriage and give gifts like cards or flowers.

Latin America

In some Latin American countries Valentine's Day is known as "Día del Amor y la Amistad" (Day of Love and Friendship). For example Mexico,^[46] Costa Rica,^[47] Ecuador,^[48] and Puerto Rico, as well as others. It is also common to see people perform "acts of appreciation" for their friends.

In Guatemala it is known as the "Día del Cariño" (Affection Day).^[49]

In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados (lit. "Lovers' Day", or "Boyfriends'/Girlfriends' Day") is celebrated on June 12, probably because it is the day before Saint Anthony's day, known there as the marriage saint,^[50] when traditionally many single women perform popular rituals, called simpatias, in order to find a good husband or boyfriend. Couples exchange gifts, chocolates, cards and flower bouquets. The February 14's Valentine's Day is not celebrated at all, mainly for cultural and commercial reasons, since it usually falls too little before or after Carnival.^[51] — that can fall anywhere from early February to early March.

In Venezuela, in 2009, President Hugo Chávez said in a meeting to his supporters for the upcoming referendum vote on February 15, that "since on the 14th, there will be no time of doing nothing, nothing or next to nothing ... maybe a little kiss or something very superficial", he recommended people to celebrate a week of love after the referendum vote.^[52]

In most of Latin America the Día del amor y la amistad and the Amigo secreto ("Secret friend") are quite popular and usually celebrated together on the 14 of February (one exception is Colombia, where it is celebrated every third Saturday of September). The latter consists of randomly assigning to each participant a recipient who is to be given an anonymous gift (similar to the Christmastradition of Secret Santa).

East Asia

Thanks to a concentrated marketing effort, Valentine's Day is celebrated in some Asian countries with Singaporeans, Chinese and South Koreans spending the most money on Valentine's gifts.^[53]

In South Korea, similar to Japan, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14 (White Day). On April 14 (Black Day), those who did not receive anything on the 14th of Feb or March go to a Korean restaurant to eat black noodles (자장면 jajangmyeon) and "mourn" their single life.^[54] Koreans also celebrate Pepero Day on November 11, when young couples give each other Pepero cookies. The date '11/11' is intended to resemble the long shape of the cookie. The 14th of every month marks a love-related day in Korea, although most of them are obscure. From January to December: Candle Day, Valentine's Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day.^[55]Korean women give a much higher amount of chocolate than Japanese women.^[54]

In China, the common situation is the man gives chocolate, flowers or both to the woman that he loves. In Chinese, Valentine's Day is called (simplified Chinese: 情人节; traditional Chinese: 情人節;pinyin: qíng rén jié). The so-called "Chinese Valentine's Day" is the Qixi Festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It commemorates a day on which a legendary cowherder and weaving maid are allowed to be together. Modern Valentine's Day is also celebrated on February 14 of the solar calendar each year.

In Taiwan the situation is the reverse of Japan's. Men give gifts to women on Valentine's Day, and women return them on White Day.^[54]

In the Philippines, Valentine's Day is called "Araw ng mga Puso" or "Hearts Day". It is usually marked by a steep increase in the prices of flowers.

Japan

In Japan, Morozoff Ltd. introduced the holiday for the first time in 1936, when it ran an advertisement aimed at foreigners. Later in 1953 it began promoting the giving of heart-shaped chocolates; other Japanese confectionery companies followed suit thereafter. In 1958 the Isetan department store ran a "Valentine sale". Further campaigns during the 1960s popularized the custom.^[56]^[57]

The custom that only women give chocolates to men appears to have originated from the typo of a chocolate-company executive during the initial campaigns.^[58] In particular, office ladies give chocolate to their co-workers. Unlike western countries, gifts such as greeting cards,^[58] candies, flowers, or dinner dates^[54] are uncommon, and most of the activity about the gifts is about giving the right amount of chocolate to each person.^[58] Japanese chocolate companies make half their annual sales during this time of the year.^[58]

Many women feel obliged to give chocolates to all male co-workers, except when the day falls on a Sunday, a holiday. This is known as giri-choko (義理チョコ), from giri ("obligation") and choko, ("chocolate"), with unpopular co-workers receiving only "ultra-obligatory" chō-giri choko cheap chocolate. This contrasts with honmei-choko (本命チョコ, favorite chocolate), chocolate given to a loved one. Friends, especially girls, may exchange chocolate referred to as tomo-choko (友チョコ); from tomo meaning "friend".^[59]

In the 1980s the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association launched a successful campaign to make March 14 a "reply day", where men are expected to return the favour to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day, calling it White Day for the color of the chocolates being offered. A previous failed attempt to popularize this celebration had been done by a marshmallowmanufacturer who wanted men to return marshmallows to women.^[56]^[57]

Men are expected to return gifts that are at least two or three times more valuable than the gifts received in Valentine's Day. Not returning the gift is perceived as the man placing himself in a position of superiority, even if excuses are given. Returning a present of equal value is considered as a way to say that you are cutting the relationship. Originally only chocolate was given, but now the gifts of jewelry, accessories, clothing and lingerie are usual. According to the official website of White Day, the color white was chosen because it's the color of purity, evoking "pure, sweet teen love", and because it's also the color of sugar. The initial name was "Ai ni Kotaeru White Day" (Answer Love on White Day).^[56]^[57]

In Japan, the romantic "date night" associated to Valentine's Day is celebrated on Christmas Eve.^[60]

In a 2006 survey of people between 10 and 49 years of age in Japan, Oricon Style found the 1986 Sayuri Kokushō single, Valentine Kiss, to be the most popular Valentine's Day song, even though it sold only 317,000 copies.^[61] The singles it beat in the ranking were number one selling Love Love Love from Dreams Come True (2,488,630 copies) and Valentine's Radio from Yumi Matsutoya(1,606,780 copies). The final song in the top five was My Funny Valentine by Miles Davis.^[61]

Similar Asian traditions

In Chinese culture, there is an older observance related to lovers, called "The Night of Sevens" (Chinese: 七夕; pinyin: Qi Xi). According to the legend, the Cowherd star and the Weaver Maid star are normally separated by the milky way (silvery river) but are allowed to meet by crossing it on the 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese calendar.

In Japan, a slightly different version of 七夕 called Tanabata has been celebrated for centuries, on July 7 (Gregorian calendar).^[62] It has been considered by Westerners as similar to St. Valentine's Day,^[63] but it's not related to it, and its origins are completely different.

India

In India, in the antiquity, there was a tradition of adoring Kamadeva, the lord of love; exemplificated by the erotic carvings in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments and by the writing of the Kamasutratreaty of lovemaking.^[64] This tradition was lost around the Middle Ages, when Kamadeva was no longer celebrated, and public displays of sexual affections became frowned upon.^[64] Around 1992 Valentine's Day started catching in India, with special TV and radio programs, and even love letter competitions.^[64]^[65] The economic liberalization also helped the Valentine card industry.^[65]

In modern times, Hindu and Islamic^[66] traditionalists consider the holiday to be cultural contamination from the West, result of the globalization in India.^[64]^[65] Shiv Sena and the Sangh Parivar have asked their followers to shun the holiday and the "public admission of love" because of them being "alien to Indian culture".^[67] These protests are organized by political elites, but the protesters themselves are middle-class Hindu men who fear that the globalization will destroy the traditions in his society: arranged marriages, Hindu joint families, full-time mothers (see Housewife#India), etc.^[65]^[66]

Despite these obstacles, Valentine's Day is becoming increasingly popular in India.^[68]

However, leftist and liberal critiques of Valentine's Day remain strong in India. Valentine's Day has been strongly criticized from a postcolonial perspective by intellectuals from the Indian left . The holiday is regarded as a front for Western imperialism, neocolonialism, and the exploitation of working classes through commercialism by multinational corporations.^[69] Studies have shown that Valentine's Day promotes and exacerbates income inequality in India, and aids in the creation of a pseudo-westernized middle class. As a result, the working classes and rural poor become more disconnected socially, politically, and geographically from the hegemonic capitalist power structure. They also criticize mainstream media attacks on Indians opposed to Valentine's Day as a form ofdemonization that is designed and derived to further the Valentine's Day agenda.^[70]^[71]

Middle East

In Egypt, Egyptians celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14.^{[citation needed]}^{[clarification needed]}

In Iran, the Sepandarmazgan, or Esfandegan, is an age-old traditional celebration of love, friendship and Earth. It has nothing in common with the Saint Valentine celebration, except for a superficial similarity in giving affection and gifts to loved ones, and its origins and motivations are completely unrelated. It has been progressively forgotten in favor of the Western celebration of Valentine's Day. The Association of Iran's Cultural and Natural Phenomena has been trying since 2006 to make Sepandarmazgan a national holiday on 17 February, in order to replace the Western holiday.^[72]

In Israel, the Tu B'Av, is considered to be the Jewish Valentine's Day following the ancient traditions of courtship on this day. Today, this is celebrated as a second holiday of love by secular people (besides Saint Valentine's Day), and shares many of the customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day in western societies.

Conflict with Islamic countries and political parties

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, in 2002 and 2011, religious police banned the sale of all Valentine's Day items, telling shop workers to remove any red items, as the day is considered a Christian holiday.^[73]^[74] In 2008 this ban created a black market of roses and wrapping paper.^[74]

Pakistan

Concept of Valentine's Day first introduced in Pakistan during late 1990s with special TV and radio programs. The Jamaat-e-Islami political party has called for the banning of Valentine's Day celebration.^[68] Despite this, the celebration is becoming popular among urban youth and the florists expect to sell great amount of flowers, especially red roses. Same is the case with card publishers.^[75] However, public at large still consider Valentine's Day as opposed to Pakistani culture and Islamic teachings.

Iran

In the first part of the 21st century, the celebration of Valentine's Day in Iran has been harshly criticized by Islamic Teachers who see the celebrations as opposed to Islamic culture. In 2011, the Iranian printing works owners' union issued a directive banning the printing and distribution of any goods promoting the holiday, including cards, gifts and teddy bears. "Printing and producing any goods related to this day including posters, boxes and cards emblazoned with hearts or half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned... Outlets that violate this will be legally dealt with", the union warned.^[76]^[77]

Malaysia

Islamic officials in Malaysia warned Muslims against celebrating Valentine's Day, linking it with vice activities. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the celebration of romantic love was "not suitable" for Muslims. Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, head of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which oversees the country's Islamic policies said a fatwa (ruling) issued by the country's top clerics in 2005 noted the day 'is associated with elements of Christianity,' and 'we just cannot get involved with other religion's worshipping rituals.' Jakim officials planned to carry out a nationwide campaign called "Awas Jerat Valentine's Day"("Mind the Valentine's Day Trap"), aimed at preventing Muslims from celebrating the day on 14 February 2011. Activities include conducting raids in hotels to stop young couples from having unlawful sex and distributing leaflets to Muslim university students warning them against the day.^[78]^[79]

On Valentine's Day 2011, Malaysian religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples concerning the celebration ban. Some of them would be charged in the Shariah Court for defying the department's ban againsts the celebration of Valentine's Day.^[80]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day

Islamic Perspective on VD.

It is not permissible for a Muslim to celebrate any of the festivals of the kuffaar. Valentines Day is an innovated festival for which there is no basis in Islam.

The clear evidence of the Qur’aan and Sunnah – and the consensus of the early generations of this ummah – indicates that there are only two festivals in Islam: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Any other festivals that have to do with a person, a group, an event or anything else are innovated festivals, which it is not permissible for Muslims to observe, approve of or express joy on those occasions, or to help others to celebrate them in any way, because that is transgressing the sacred limits of Allaah, and whoever transgresses the sacred limits of Allaah has wronged himself.

Many Muslims these days indulge in this filthy festival. However, they would do well to remember the famous saying of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم): “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4021)

http://www.muftisays.com/blog/Seifeddine-M/1175_11-02-2011/islamic-view-of-valentines-day.html

Wallahu'alam

LadyMuslimah

GrandMa: I did it for love.

2012-02-04T00:19:00.005+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wbt and hello.

I was amazed on how you did it even without your ability to read and write. You said “I was stupid” before for not able to do so. How it breaks my heart to hear that from you. Like someone tear me apart into million pieces times two.

Even so, knows that I always LOVE YOU.

You said that I was no good. The life that you lived before was the hardest and it was not easy to raise “my children” so they can stand up on mountain. My tears drop that I can’t seem put a stop on it. I knew that everything you did were the best of all things you can get. Even so, knows that I always LOVE YOU.

7 wonder you brought to the world. And each of them, there was a special magical that He (ALLAH) gave to you. There will be always yours like how you treated them since you knew that there was a ‘special’ growth inside of you. And just like that, my LOVE for you will always there.

“ABC was not my thing”, “The kitchen was where am supposed to be”. The choice wasn’t yours to make. The perception in an ancient time put things 'the way they are'. And it is how you place a respect for everything into the higher place. But more and so, you did it wonderfully.

Now, you are no longer illiterate. Even though ABC still not your thing. Kalamullah is your main priority to read and practice. And what you have got now, ALHAMDULILLAH.

But, knows also for all the things that happened, ALLAH has planned them gracefully. All things you have sacrificed for, I believe and you believe that “I did it for love”.

I dedicate this to one of my 'many' special loves in my life. It is to remind me, how lucky I was to have a father and also a mother that shaped and moulded me. In the making of me, before me: came my parents, and before them: came my grandparents. ALHAMDULILLAH ya ALLAH.=)

Wallahu'alam

With full of LOVE,

LadyMuslimah

What makes my day?

2012-01-31T10:24:00.008+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wbt and Hello.

Hmm. Today got a wake-up call from a friend. Asking me my result (Of course for my Exam). Suddenly, it makes me sick! Nervous and my heart beats so much faster at unusual speed. Ha!

After all the fussed I've been through in order to check my result, finally I've mouthed Alhamdulillah (Praise to ALLAH). Well, at least to me the hard work to the result me got pays off. Once again Alhamdulillah.

Recently, I got a gift that makes me happy and my days worth.=)

Thanks. Yes, to you=)

For the wonderful gift(s).

"Give gifts and you shall love one another" Bukhari

And speaking of holiday, my father said "Let us test and drive". Well, sort of. The thing is, I've just upgraded my license from P and my sister just got her P license. Well, that's why we called it test and drive. =D

Guess what, we went to Sipitang for "Shopping". Below:

King of fruits. yay!

Having ate this. Makes me sick for a few days. FEVER! huhu That reminds me the article below.=) Let's read!

Already talks about 'eat'. This is the Etiquette for Eating and Drinking (Taken from: http://www.islaam.net/main/display.php?id=1213&category=126 )

A Muslim considers his food and drink means to something else. They are not a goal and pleasure in themselves. He eats and drinks in order to keep his body healthy so that he may worship Allah the Almighty. This is the worship that will make him qualified for the honor of the life and happiness of the Hereafter. He does not eat and drink for the sake of eating and drinking and its desires. Therefore, if he is not hungry, he does not eat. If he is not thirsty, he does not drink. It is narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:

"We are a people who do not eat until we are hungry. And if we eat, we do not eat to our fill."

Thereby, a Muslim must adhere to the manners of eating and drinking that the Shari'ah has issued. These include:

Etiquette Before Eating

1. A Muslim should try to make his food and drink pure by preparing them from the permissible, pure sources that are free of any taint of the forbidden or doubtful. Allah the Almighty said:

"0 you who believe! Eat of the lawful pure things that We have provided you. (2:172)

The pure things are the lawful things that are free from any filth or being noxious.

2. The intention for eating should be to strengthen oneself for the purpose of worshipping Allah and to be rewarded for one's eating and drinking. The permissible act then becomes an act of worship that is rewarded by Allah due to the good intention.

3. One should wash his hands before eating if they are not clean or if he is not sure that they are clean.

4. The food should be placed on a spread on the floor and not on a table. This makes the act more modest. Anas said:

“Allahs messenger (SAW) did not eat upon a table or from a platter. ( Al-Bukhari)

5. One should sit to eat in a modest fashion. He should rest on his knees and sit with the top of his feet on the ground (and his body resting on the bottom of his feet). Or he should put his right leg erect and sit upon his left leg, as in the manner that Allah's Messenger (SAW) would sit. Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:

"I do not eat while reclining. Instead, I am a servant, so I eat like a servant eats and I sit like a servant sits. (Al-Bukhari)

6. He should be satisfied by the food that is presented in front of him and he should not find fault with it. If he likes it, he should eat it. If he does not like it, he should leave it. This is based on the statement of Abu Hurayrah:

"Allah's Messenger (SAW)| never found fault with any food. If he desired it, he would eat it. If he disliked it, he would leave it." (Al-Bukhari)

7. One should eat along with others, either a guest, family member, son or daughter or servant. This is based on this Hadith:

“Eat your food together, for you will thereby be blessed in it.” (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmithi who said it is Sahih)

Etiquette While Eating

1. The person should begin his eating by saying: Bismillaah "In the Name of Allah." Allah's Messenger (SAW) stated:

"If any of you is about to eat, he should mention the Name of Allah. If he forgets to mention the Name of Allah at the beginning, he should say, 'In the Name of Allah over the beginning and the ending.'" (Abu Dawud)

2. He should end his meal with the praises of Allah, Allah's Messenger (SAW) also said:

"If a person eats any food and then says, 'Praise is to Allah who fed me this and provided for me without any strength or power on my part,' all of his previous sins will be forgiven." (At-Tirmithi)

3. The person should eat with three fingers of his right hand. He should take small portions and chew them well. He should eat the food that is close to him and not take from the middle of the plate. Allah's Messenger (SAW) told nar bin Salamah:

"O young man, mention the Name of Allah, eat with your right hand and eat from what is close to you. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah's Messenger (SAW) also said:

"The blessings descend from the middle of the food. So eat from the edges and do not eat from the middled "(At-Tirmithi)

4. A Muslim should chew his food well and he should lick plate before he wipes it with a napkin or washes it with water. This is based on the Prophet's statement:

"When one of you eats, he should not wipe his fingers until he licks them or has them licked." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Jabir stated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) ordered the fingers and plates be licked clean. He also said:

"You do not know in which part of your food lies its blessing." (Muslim)

5. If a person drops some food, he should remove the dirt from it and eat it. Allah's Messenger (SAW) stated:

"If a morsel of food falls from any of you, he should take it and wipe it clean of any dirt and then eat it. He should not leave it for the Shaytan." (Muslim)

6. A Muslim should not blow over hot food; instead, he should wait until it cools down. He also should not blow into a glass of water while drinking from it. Instead, he should breathe three times outside of the vessel. Anas narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW), would breathe three times while drinking. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Sa'id narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) forbade blowing into a drink. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Ibn 'Abbas narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) forbade breathing into a drinking vessel or blowing into it. (At-Tirmithi)

7. A Muslim should avoid eating to his fill or overeating. Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:

"A human does not fill any container worse than his stomach. It is enough for a human to have some morsels to strengthen his back (keep his back straight). If he must eat more, then it should be one-third of his stomach for food, one-third for drink and one-third for breathing." (Ahmad)

8. Food and drink should be served first to the eldest in the gathering. Then it should go to those on the right. Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:

"(Begin with) the eldest, the eldest."

That is, one should begin with the eldest at the gathering. However, the Prophet (SAW) asked permission of Ibn 'Abbas to pass a drink to the older people who were on his left. Ibn 'Abbas was on his right and the older people were on the Prophet's left. The fact that he asked permission of Ibn 'Abbas shows that the one on the right should be given first. Indeed, in another Hadith, Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:

"Begin with) those on the right, and those on the further right. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah's Messenger (SAW) also said:

"The one who gives drink to the people should be the last of them," (Ahmad) that is, the last of them to drink .

9. One should not begin to take food or drink if there is someone else present who should go before him, such as an older person or a virtuous person. This is considered impolite behavior. The person may then be thought of as greedy. A poet once said,

"If the hands are stretched to the food, I will not be the quickest among them, as the greediest of the people is the quickest among them."

10. He should not burden his friend or companion by making them tell him, "Eat." Instead, he should eat what he needs to eat without shyness or trying to be shy. In that case, he troubles his companion or guest and it may also be a type of acting for show, which is forbidden.

11. He should be compassionate with his eating companion. He should not try to eat more than him. This is especially true if there is not much food. In that case, he may be eating the food that someone else has a right to.

12. He should not look at his companions while he is eating. He should not watch them, such that they may become shy because of him. Instead, he should lower his gaze to the food that is around him. He should not look at them as this might harm them and may make them mad, in which case he would be sinful.

13. He should not do anything that the others generally consider gross behavior. He should not shake his hand off over the plate. He also should not put his head close to the food such that if something falls from his mouth, it will land in the people's food. Similarly, if he bit off a part of his bread, he should not put the rest of that bread back into the food. He also should not discuss disgusting things while eating. In that way, he might harm one of his companions and it is forbidden to harm a Muslim.

14. When he eats with poor people, he should give them preference over himself. When he eats with his brethren and friends, there should be friendliness and happiness. When he eats with people of rank and respect, he should eat with the proper manners and respect.

Etiquette After Eating

1. One should stop eating before he becomes full, thereby following the example of Allah's Messenger (SAW). This will keep him from suffering debilitating indigestion and gluttony that takes away one's intelligent thinking.

2. One should lick his hand and then wipe it or wash it. It is best and preferred to wash it.

3. He should pick up whatever has fallen from his food while eating, as he has been exhorted to do. This is a way of expressing gratitude for his bounties

4. He should floss between his teeth and rinse his mouth in order to clean his mouth. This is because he uses his mouth to remember Allah the Almighty and talk to his brothers. Furthermore, cleaning the mouth will keep the teeth healthy.

5. He must praise Allah after eating or drinking. If he drank milk, he should say:

"O Allah, bless us in what You have provided for us and increase it for us. “(Abu Dawud)

If he breaks his fast at a people's place, he should say:

“May the fasting break their fast with you, may the pious eat your food and may the angels invoke blessings for you." (Abu Dawud)

Extracted from “Mihaj ul Muslim” Published by Dar us Salam

Wallahu'alam.

LadyMuslimah

I'm HOME!

2012-01-20T10:47:00.003+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum and Hello...

Yup, I am HOME! There's no word to describe but a big and happy smile on my face.

Cutest!=D

Wallahu'alam

LadyMuslimah

A great deal for Mahasiswa?

2012-01-02T00:50:00.003+08:00

What do you think?

LadyMuslimah

No ShoutMix box anymore. (UPDATE)

2012-01-01T21:17:00.003+08:00

Got new one already Cbox.You can leave your comment there.TQ.

Assalamu'alaikum wbt and Hye.=)

So, guys here's a quick update. Since ShoutMix has been introducing new plan for the users, I'm not going to use it anymore.

We'll be using the only comment buttons on the post. If any of you guys know other alternatives to ShoutMix, just let me know.TQ=D

Wallahu'alam.

LadyMuslimah

9:00 am

2011-12-30T06:48:00.002+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wbt and hye!=)

In a great spirit today! My first battle begins at 9am (for my exam's paper).

Hope all of you are in the same spirit as I am (even though feel sleepy...huhu). Aja2 Fighting!

Wallahu'alam.

LadyMuslimah

Far from FINISH!

2011-12-29T14:00:00.003+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum and greetings to all my readers (Like Queen n Queen greetings..haha).

I've been posting much lately (even though just 2 or 3 posts : Well... I've considered that much already =P)

Lately or even before that, I've bought some books but hardly to finish them even for one.huhu

Am I that busy? (Excuse, Excuse and more Excuses...lalala~) But still, I want to share with you guys, the one I've been reading on lately.

Yup. This one. (In Malays)

It's interesting, I've just read a few chapters in the beginning. I'll try my best to finish it soon as I can (to share with later on). I've got one paper for tomorrow. I haven't done with my study just... yet.haha BRILLIANT me! I wish! bahaha

Tawakal 'ala ALLAH. Wallahu'alam.

LadyMuslimah

Exam's Period

2011-12-29T01:03:00.003+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wbt.

It's time to work hard again. Yes, I am suppose to. Don't you all agree?

Hmm (sigh). I've been through this for at least more than 15 years. Ya ALLAH make it easier for me to do my exam well this time.amin~

Well, for all my friends out there "Good Luck". Please forgive me if am doing anything wrong in case for hurting your feelings 'inside and outside', human being, nothing's perfect of course.

Missing home already. Can't wait for 'Home sweet Home' again.

Till then. Wassalam.

LadyMuslimah

Stress to The Max!

2011-12-17T10:14:00.005+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum and good greetings to all.

How I've missed to write! =) Hope all of you are doing fine.=D InsyaALLAH. I'm hoping so.

In this post, i'm going to write about stress. Feeling kinda stress lately. Most of the times, I'll just keep quite rather than being friendly like I usually did. To those whose feeling bad to my attitudes during my 'dark' times recently, I'm sorry. Very very sorry. (With apologetic face) Honestly.=j For being patient with me rather leaving me alone. Thank you. May u be blessed always by HIM. There are no better reward from me to give to you rather than HIM.

ALLAH multiplies to whom He will, Allah is the Embracer, The Knower. (2:262)

According to wikipedia:

Stress is a term in psychology and biology, borrowed from physics and engineering and first used in the biological context in the 1930s, which has in more recent decades become commonly used in popular parlance. It refers to the consequence of the failure of an organism—human or other animal—to respond adequately to mental, emotional, or physical demands, whether actual or imagined. When the person perceives a threat, their nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action. The stress response is the body’s way of protecting the person. When working properly, it helps in staying focused, energetic, and alert.

There are some symptoms listed down:

1. Cognitive symptoms

Memory problems
Inability to concentrate
Poor judgment
Seeing only the negative
Anxious or racing thoughts
Constant worrying

2. Emotional symptoms

Moodiness
Irritability or short temper
Agitation, inability to relax
Feeling overwhelmed
Sense of loneliness and isolation
Depression or general unhappiness

3. Physical symptoms

Aches and pains
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea, dizziness
Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
Loss of sex drive
Frequent colds

4. Behavioural symptoms

Eating more or less
Sleeping too much or too little
Isolating oneself from others
Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

Some of the symptoms listed, I admit humbly I've felt them miserably. But of course, there are limitation to what I can feel in the right ways. Allah said:

We have created the human from a (sperm) drop, a mixture, testing him (with what is permissible and forbidden); We made him to hear and see. (76:2)

In releasing the tension I've got from all those things or works resulted to my emotional break down (stress), I've cried a lot and after that felt relieved but just for a nick of times. The key to encounter the feels I have felt I believe, only turn to HIM.

Do not weak, neither sorrow while you are the upper ones, if you are believers. (3.139)

O satisfied soul, return to your Lord well-pleased, well pleasing (87:27-28)

My strength to keep holding and carrying on is because of HIM. Thank you to ALLAH for not leaving me alone during my bad times. Allhamdulillah. =D

LadyMuslimah

Kesah Apa Aku Bukan Virgin!

2011-06-04T00:35:00.008+08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wbt. Dah lama rasanya ana tak menulis apa-apa entry dalam blog ana. Maaf. Bukanlah mahu menyepi diri, cuma masih mencari. Memperbaiki kelemahan diri.

Ana ragu-ragu sebenarnya ingin mem'post' kan entry ini. Fikir berulang-ulang kali Title apa yang harus diberi pada entry kali ini. Sambil menitiskan air mata kasih, maka lahirlah luahan hati ini. Bukan bermaksud untuk menghina atau memburukkan, cuma ingin menyampaikan betapa berharganya diri mu wahai saudari Islam ku. Ana menulis entry ini sambil memikirkan mu. Betapa berharganya dirimu, betapa tinggi martabat mu di angkat oleh kekasih ALLAH.

Siapa pun diri mu, hakikatnya bukanlah engkau berseorangan. DIA (ALLAH SWT) sentiasa bersama mu. Engkaulah seindah-indahnya perhiasan dunia yang bakal menghuni syurga menjadi bidadari. Semoga menjadi milik mu. Amin~

Ku tulis warkah kesedihan

Ya ALLAH

Kebimbangan bertandang di hatiku

Betapa terpanggil kata-kata akhir zaman ini ibarat memegang bara api

Duhai manusia

Betapa tingginya darjat mu

Sebaik-baik ciptaan kejadian NYA

Darjat semuanya kita adalah sama disisi NYA

Tapi kenapa dan mengapa menerpa di benakku

Rendahnya engkau perbuat dirimu

Telah terhukum semuanya menurut aturan NYA

Adakah fitrah kita melawan semuanya?

Betapa bahagialah hamba NYA

Betapa terisi hidup hamba NYA

Betapa tenang terasa pada hamba NYA

Jika engkau mengetahui segala-galanya

Nescaya tidak engkau berpaling daripada NYA

Betapa beratnya timbangan syukur itu

Engkau merasa cukup dengannya

Betapa ringannya timbangan takbur itu

Engkau merasa tidak pernah cukup dengannya

Ketahuilah betapa bernilainya engkau kepada NYA

DIA tidak pernah meninggalkanmu

Senantiasa dekat di hatimu

DIA tidak pernah membencimu

Senantiasa sayang padamu

Betapa kasih nya DIA pada mu

Tidak tergambar dengan kata-kata

Tidak terukur betapa tingginya

Tidak terkira betapa luasnya

DIA lah Tuhan yang Maha Esa

Tempat kita meminta dan memohon dengan NYA

Betapa Maha Agung NYA DIA

Betapa Maha Besar NYA DIA

Betapa Maha Pemurah NYA DIA

Betapa Maha Pengasih NYA DIA

Pada mu dan pada seluruh hamba-hamba NYA

Itulah DIA yang mana

Kita semuanya berjanji di hadapan NYA

Dia lah yang ESA tiada dua dan tiga

Dengan nama NYA yang Maha Pengasih dan Maha Penyayang

Kita bermula dan kita berakhir hanya dengan NYA

Betapa indahnya terasa seluruh hidup ini

Segala-galanya dengan NYA.

Ya, ALLAH! Ampunkan daku dosaku, hilangkanlah gelora marah dalam hatiku dan peliharalah akan daku daripada godaan syaitan.

Ya, ALLAH! Engkau lembutkanlah untukku hatiku sepertimana engkau telah lembutkan besi bagi Daud A.S. Ya, ALLAH! Janganlah Engkau palingkan hatiku setelah Engkau beri petunjuk kepada ku. Amin~

LadyMuslimah