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Every year, on the evening of October 31st, millions of
children across North America paint their faces, dress up in
costumes, and go door to door collecting treats. The adults
often decorate their houses with ghostly figures, carve scary
faces on pumpkins, and put candles in them to create
"Jack-O-Lanterns." Unfortunately, among the millions
of North Americans indulging in this custom, many are also
Muslims. This article will shed some light on the significance
and origins of Hallow'een, and why Muslims should not
participate in it.
Origins of the Hallow'een Festival
The ancient Celtic (Irish/Scottish/Welsh) festival called
Samhain is considered by most historians and scholars to be the
predecessor of what is now Hallow'een. Samhain was the New
Year's day of the pagan Celts. It was also the Day of the Dead,
a time when it was believed that the souls of those who had died
during the year were allowed access into the "land of the
dead".
Many traditional beliefs and customs associated with Samhain
continue to be practiced today on the 31st of October. Most
notable of these customs are the practice of leaving offerings
of food and drink (now candy) to masked and costumed revelers,
and the lighting of bonfires.
Elements of this festival were incorporated into the
Christian festival of All Hallow's Eve, or Hallow-Even, the
night preceding All Saint's (Hallows') Day. It is the glossing
of the name Hallow- Even that has given us the name of
Hallow'een. Until recent times in some parts of Europe, it was
believed that on this night the dead walked amongst them, and
that witches and warlocks flew in their midst. In preparation
for this, bonfires were built to ward off these malevolent
spirits.
By the 19th century, witches' pranks were replaced by
children's tricks. The spirits of Samhain, once believed to be
wild and powerful, were now recognized as being evil. Devout
Christians began rejecting this festival. They had discovered
that the so-called gods, goddesses, and other spiritual beings
of the pagan religions, were diabolical deceptions. The
spiritual forces that people experienced during this festival
were indeed real, but they were manifestations of the devil who
misled people toward the worship of false idols. Thus, they
rejected the customs associated with Hallow'een, including all
representations of ghosts, vampires, and human skeletons -
symbols of the dead - and of the devil and other malevolent and
evil creatures.
It must also be noted that, to this day, many
Satan-worshippers consider the evening of October 31st to be
their most sacred. And many devout Christians today continue to
distance themselves from this pagan festival.
The Islamic Perspective
Iman (faith) is the foundation of Islamic society, and tauheed
(the belief in the existence and Oneness of Allah) is the
essence of this faith and the very core of Islam. The
safeguarding of this iman, and of this pure tauheed, is the
primary objective of all Islamic teachings and legislation. In
order to keep the Muslim society purified of all traces of shirk
(associating partners with Allah) and remnants of error, a
continuous war must be waged against all customs and practices
which originate from societies' ignorance of divine guidance,
and in the errors of idol worship. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.) issued a stern warning: "Whoever imitates a
nation is one of them!"
(Abu Da'oud).
Muslims should heed this warning and refrain from copying or
imitating the kufar in their celebrations. Islam has strongly
forbidden Muslims to follow the religious or social customs of
the non-Muslims, and especially of the idol-worshippers or those
who worship the devil. The Prophet (s.a.s.) said: "By
Him in Whose hands is my life, you are ordered to enjoin good
and forbid evil, or else Allah will certainly afflict you with
torments. Thereafter, even your du'a (supplications) will not be
accepted."
(Tirmidhi).
From an Islamic standpoint, Hallow'een is one of the worst
celebrations because of its origins and history. It is HARAM
(forbidden), even if there may be some seemingly good or
harmless elements in those practices, as evidenced by a
statement from the Prophet (s.a.s.), "Every innovation
(in our religion) is misguidance, even if the people regard it
as something good"
(ad-Daarimee).
Although it may be argued that the celebration of Hallow'een
today has nothing to do with devil-worship, it is still
forbidden for Muslims to participate in it. If Muslims begin to
take part in such customs, it is a sure sign of weak iman and
that we have either forgotten, or outrightly rejected the
mission of our Prophet (s.a.s.) who came to cleanse us from
Jahiliyyah customs, superstitions and false practises.
Muslims are enjoined to neither imitate the behaviour and
customs of the non-Muslims, nor to commit their indecencies.
Behaviour-imitation will affect the attitude of a Muslim and may
create a feeling of sympathy towards the indecent modes of life.
Islam seeks to cleanse the Muslim of all immoral conducts and
habits, and thus paving the way for the Qur'an and Sunnah to be
the correct and pure source for original Islamic thought and
behaviour. A Muslim should be a model for others in faith and
practice, behaviour and moral character, and not a blind
imitator dependant on other nations and cultures.
Even if one decides to go along with the outward practises of
Hallow'een without acknowledging the deeper significance or
historical background of this custom, he or she is still guilty
of indulging in this pagan festival. Undoubtedly, even after
hearing the Truth, some Muslims will still participate in
Hallow'een, send their kids "trick-or-treating," and
they will try to justify it by saying they are doing it merely
to make their children happy.
But what is the duty of Muslim parents? Is it to follow the
wishes of their children without question, or to mould them
within the correct Islamic framework as outlined in the Qur'an
and Sunnah? Is it not the responsibility of Muslim parents to
impart correct Islamic training and instruction to their
children? How can this duty be performed if, instead of
instructing the children in Islam, parents allow and encourage
their children to be taught the way of the unbelievers? Allah
exposes these types of people in the Qur'an: "And mix
not the Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth while you
know the Truth."
(surah al-Baqarah : 42).
Muslim parents must teach their children to refrain from
practicing falsehood, and not to imitate the non-Muslims in
their customs and festivals. If the children are taught to be
proud of their Islamic heritage, they themselves will, insha
Allah, abstain from Hallow'een and other non-Muslim
celebrations, such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas,
Valentines Day, etc. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) said: The
Final Hour will not come until my followers copy the deeds of
the previous nations and follow them very closely, span by span,
and cubit by cubit (inch by inch).
(Bukhari).
Islam is a pure religion with no need to accomodate any
custom, practice or celebration that is not a part of it. Islam
does not distinguish between "secular and sacred;" the
shari'ah must rule every aspect of our lives.
"You must keep to my Sunnah and the sunnah of the
rightly-guided Caliphs; cling to it firmly. Beware of newly
invented matters, for every new matter is an innovation, and
every innovation is misleading."
(Bukhari)"
When the people see a person committing a wrong, but do
not seize his hand to restrain him or her from the deed, it is
likely that Allah will punish them both."
(Abu Da'oud, Nasa'i, Tirmidhi)
"Whoever imitates a nation is one of them."
(Abu Da'oud)
What to do on Halloween
We have established, beyond doubt, that the celebration of
Hallow'een is absolutely forbidden in Islam. It is HARAM. The
question arises as to what to do on this night. Muslim parents
must not send their kids out "trick-or-treating" on
Hallow'een night. Our children must be told why we do not
celebrate Hallow'een. Most children are very receptive when
taught with sincerity, and especially when shown in practice the
joy of their own Islamic celebrations and traditions. In this
regard, teach them about the two Islamic festivals of Eid. It
must also be mentioned that, even Muslims who stay home and give
out treats to those who come to their door are still
participating in this festival. In order to avoid this, leave
the front lights off and do not open the door. Educate your
neighbours about our Islamic teachings. Inform them in advance
that Muslims do not participate in Hallow'een, and explain the
reasons why (Give them a copy of this flyer if needed). They
will respect your wishes, and you will gain respect in the
process. "A person who calls another to guidance will be
rewarded, as will the one who accepts the message."
(Tirmidhi)
Finally, we must remember that we are fully accountable to
Allah for all of our actions and deeds. If, after knowing the
Truth, we do not cease our un-Islamic practices, we risk the
wrath of Allah as He himself warned us in the Qur'an: "....And
let those who oppose the Messenger's commandment (i.e. his
Sunnah - legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among
the sects) beware, lest some trial (fitnah, disbelief, killing,
earthquakes, afflictions, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall
them, or a painful torment be inflicted on them!"
(surah an-Nur : 63).
This is a serious matter and not to be taken lightly. And
Allah knows best. May Allah guide us, help us to stay on the
right path, and save us from all deviations and innovations that
will lead us into the fires of Hell.
-By Br. Feyoun Khan
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