Celebrating Halloween
Halloween: The Devil’s Holiday
Every year on the evening of October 31st, people around the world celebrate the holiday known as Halloween. They decorate their homes with jack-o’-lanterns and figures of ghosts, witches, and skeletons. Children dress up in costumes to go trick-or-treating while the adults throw parties that are rampant with sin. Unfortunately, it has become so common that even Muslims are now involved in these celebrations. Although, it is now largely observed as a non-religious holiday, many of the practices that take place on that night originated from pagan and Christian traditions. It is important that we as Muslims understand why it is impermissible to engage in such practices so that we can educate the next generation before there no longer remains any semblance of Islam in their lives.
Origins of Halloween
The origin of Halloween can be traced back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain which marked the start of their new year. It was believed that on the night before the new year, the veil between the world of the living and the dead would thin allowing the souls of the dead to return. People would light bonfires on hilltops and carve frightening faces into root vegetables such as beets, potatoes, and turnips to ward off evil spirits. They would also wear masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the spirits. It was in these ways that ghosts, witches, demons, etc. came to be associated with this day. When the Romans conquered the Celts in the 1st century, they added their own festivals for commemorating the dead, and Pomona, their goddess of harvest.
In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV established Allhallowtide, a celebration which lasted three days: All Saints’ Eve (also called All Hallows’ Eve – later Halloween), All Saints’ Day (also called All Hallows’ Day), and All Souls’ Day. All Saints’ Day originally took place on May 13th but was later changed to November 1st in an effort to supplant the pagan holiday, although the night before (All Hallows’ Eve) was still celebrated in the form of bonfires, costumes, and parades.
After the Protestant Reformation, Halloween was no longer celebrated as a religious holiday, but it continued to be celebrated as a secular one. Eventually, this holiday reached the United States in the 1800s when European immigrants, especially the Irish, brought their customs and traditions with them. Even as a secular holiday, many of the religious traditions remained.
For example, in the 16th century, it was customary in England for the poor to go begging on All Souls’ Day, a practice called “souling”. The people would give them cakes with crosses on top called “soul cakes” in exchange of prayers. This custom was later taken over by children and is believed to be the origin of modern-day trick-or-treating. In the 19th century, it became common among children to play “tricks” on people who would in turn offer candy as protection. This is just one of the many modern Halloween traditions with religious origins.[i]
Islamic Perspective
It is quite clear that virtually all Halloween traditions have origins in either pagan culture or Christianity. From an Islamic point of view, taking part in such traditions is tantamount to kufr.[ii] As Muslims, we are forbidden from imitating the ways of the disbelievers. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said,
مَن تَشَبَّه بقومٍ فهو منهم
“The one who imitates a people is amongst them”.[iii]
It has also been reported from the famous Sahabi, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (Radiyallahu ‘Anhu) that he said,
مَنْ بَنَى فِي بِلَادِ الْأَعَاجِمِ فَصَنَعَ نَوْرُوزَهُمْ وَمِهْرَجَانَهُمْ وَتَشَبَّهَ بِهِمْ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ وَهُوَ كَذَلِكَ حُشِرَ مَعَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
“Whoever resides in the lands of the non-Arabs and celebrates their holidays (Nayruz and Mihrajan – Persian holidays) and imitates them such that he passes away in that state, shall be raised with them on the Day of Judgement”.[iv]
Some may raise the objection that since Halloween is no longer considered a religious holiday, there is no problem in celebrating it. Although that may be the case, it is still largely associated with non-Muslims. The practices that take place on that night are in clear contradiction to the teachings of Islam. At the very least, it would still be considered resemblance to sinners which is also impermissible. Pious, God-fearing Muslims would never take part in such futile practices.
For example, in an annual survey conducted by the NRF (National Retail Federation), they found that consumer spending on Halloween-related items was expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion this year with the average cost per household to be $102.74 on items such as costumes, decorations, and candy.[v] Islam strongly forbids Muslims from wasting their wealth in this manner.[vi] Another example is trick-or-treating. Although it may seem like a harmless way for children to have fun and get free candy, at its very core it opposes the teachings of Islam. In the best case, it is begging, while in the worst case, it is a threat, both of which are forbidden in Islam.
Another issue that many Muslims face is the issue of wishing a “Happy Halloween” to their fellow colleagues and acquaintances. The majority of scholars are of the opinion that it is impermissible to do so as that would be akin to condoning their practices and even close to kufr.[vii]
Solutions
It is imperative that Muslim parents educate their children of the Satanic origins of such holidays. As Muslims, we should be proud of our Islamic heritage and not feel the need to imitate others. Allah ﷻ has blessed us with our own celebrations: the two ‘Eids. The Prophet ﷺ said regarding ‘Eid al-Adha,
أَلَا وَإِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأَيَّامَ أَيَّامُ أَكْلٍ وَشُرْبٍ وَذِكْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
“Indeed, these are days of food, drink, and the remembrance of Allah ﷻ”.[viii]
For Muslims, holidays are not just excuses to waste time and money. Rather, they retain their religious significance while allowing time for rejoicing as well. ‘Eid is a time for us to enjoy the blessings that Allah ﷻ has provided us, and more importantly, to show gratitude to Him for them within the parameters of Shari’ah.
Whenever we feel tempted to join in on the holidays of the disbelievers, we should remember and recite the statement of our beloved Prophet ﷺ:
رَضِيتُ بِاللهِ رَبًّا، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيًّا
“I am pleased with Allah ﷻ as my Lord, with Islam as my religion, and with Muhammad ﷺ as my Prophet.”[ix]
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/history-of-halloween-2017-10?r=US&IR=T
[ii] «تبيين الحقائق شرح كنز الدقائق وحاشية الشلبي، المطبعة الكبرى الأميرية» (6/ 228):
قال – رحمه الله – (والإعطاء باسم النيروز والمهرجان لا يجوز) أي الهدايا باسم هذين اليومين حرام بل كفر، وقال أبو حفص الكبير – رحمه الله – لو أن رجلا عبد الله خمسين سنة ثم جاء يوم النيروز، وأهدى لبعض المشركين بيضة يريد به تعظيم ذلك اليوم فقد كفر، وحبط عمله، وقال صاحب الجامع الأصغر إذا أهدى يوم النيروز إلى مسلم آخر، ولم يرد به التعظيم لذلك اليوم، ولكن ما اعتاده بعض الناس لا يكفر، ولكن ينبغي له أن لا يفعل ذلك في ذلك اليوم خاصة، ويفعله قبله أو بعده كي لا يكون تشبها بأولئك القوم، وقد قال رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – «من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم»، وقال في الجامع الأصغر رجل اشترى يوم النيروز شيئا لم يكن يشتريه قبل ذلك إن أراد به تعظيم ذلك اليوم كما يعظمه المشركون كفر، وإن أراد الأكل والشرب والتنعم لا يكفر
«مجمع الأنهر في شرح ملتقى الأبحر، دار إحياء التراث العربي» (1/ 698):
«ويكفر بخروجه إلى نيروز المجوس والموافقة معهم فيما يفعلونه في ذلك اليوم وبشرائه يوم نيروز شيئا لم يكن يشتريه قبل ذلك تعظيما للنيروز لا للأكل والشرب وبإهدائه ذلك اليوم للمشركين ولو بيضة تعظيما لذلك اليوم»
«الفتاوى العالمكيرية = الفتاوى الهندية، المطبعة الكبرى الأميرية» (2/ -277276):
« يكفر…وبخروجه إلى نيروز المجوس لموافقته معهم فيما يفعلون في ذلك اليوم وبشرائه يوم النيروز شيئا لم يكن يشتريه قبل ذلك تعظيما للنيروز لا للأكل والشرب وبإهدائه ذلك اليوم للمشركين ولو بيضة تعظيما لذلك»
كذا في حاشية ابن عابدين = رد المحتار ط الحلبي (6/ 754).
[iii] «سنن أبي داود – ت الأرنؤوط» (6/ 144):
«4031 – حدَّثنا عثمانُ بنُ أبي شيبةَ، حدَّثنا أبو النضرِ، حدَّثنا عبدُ الرحمن ابنُ ثابتٍ، حدَّثنا حسانُ بنُ عطيَّهَ، عن أبي مُنيب الجُرَشيٍّ عن ابنِ عُمَرَ، قال: قال رسولُ الله – صلَّى الله عليه وسلم -:، مَن تَشَبَّه بقومٍ فهو منهم”»
[iv] «السنن الكبرى للبيهقي» (9/ 392):
«18864 – وَأَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ الْحَافِظُ، ثنا أَبُو الْعَبَّاسِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ , ثنا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عَفَّانَ، ثنا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، ثنا عَوْفٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الْمُغِيرَةِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرو، قَالَ: ” مَنْ بَنَى فِي بِلَادِ الْأَعَاجِمِ فَصَنَعَ نَوْرُوزَهُمْ وَمِهْرَجَانَهُمْ وَتَشَبَّهَ بِهِمْ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ وَهُوَ كَذَلِكَ حُشِرَ مَعَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ “. وَهَكَذَا رَوَاهُ يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ , وَابْنُ أبي عَدِيٍّ , وَغُنْدَرٌ , وَعَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ , عَنْ عَوْفٍ , عَنْ أَبِي الْمُغِيرَةِ , عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو مِنْ قَوْلِهِ»
[vi] [الإسراء: 27]
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓاْ إِخۡوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورًا
[vii] الفتاوى التاترخانية، مكتبه رشيديه (20/ 348):
اجتمع المجوس يوم النيروز فقال مسلم: خوب رسمى نهاده اند، أو قال: نيك آئين نهاده اند يخاف عليه الكفر
الفتاوى البزازية، قديمي كتب خانه (2/ 453):
اجتمع المجوس يوم النيروز فقال مسلم: خوب سيرت نهاوند يكفر
فتاوى قاسميہ (24/ 251-250):
سوال: کیا فرماتے ہیں علمائے دین ومفتیان شرع متین مسئلہ ذیل کے بارے میں کہ کیا ہم غیر مسلم کے تہوار میں شریک ہو سکتے ہیں اور مبارکباد دے سکتے ہیں؟
الجواب وبالله التوفيق: مسلمانوں کیلئے غیرمسلموں کے تہوار میں شریک ہو کر مبارکباد دینا حرام اور کفر کے قریب پہونچا دیتا ہے اس سے دور رہنا ہر مسلمان پر واجب ہے۔
كتاب النوازل، دار الاشاعت (16/ 350):
سوال (۸۱۸):- کیا فرماتے ہیں علماء دین ومفتیان شرع متین مسئلہ ذیل کے بارے میں کہ عید مبارک کے علاوہ کوئی مسلمان غیر مسلم کے تیوہار جیسے دسہرہ دیوالی مبارک لکھ کر اپنی تصویر کے ساتھ بڑے بورڈ پر چورا ہے پر لگائے، تو اس مسلمان کے بارے میں اسلام اور شریعت کے اندر کیا حکم ہے؟
الجواب وبالله التوفيق: غیر مسلموں کے مذہبی تیوہاروں پر کسی مسلمان کا مبارک باد دينا جائز نہیں ہے، اور اس مبارک بادی کے لئے تصاویر چپکانا دوہرا گناہ ہے۔
[viii] «سنن أبي داود ت محيي الدين عبد الحميد» (3/ 100):
2813 – حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ، عَنْ أَبِي الْمَلِيحِ، عَنْ نُبَيْشَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّا كُنَّا نَهَيْنَاكُمْ عَنْ لُحُومِهَا أَنْ تَأْكُلُوهَا فَوْقَ ثَلَاثٍ لِكَيْ تَسَعَكُمْ، فَقَدْ جَاءَ اللَّهُ بِالسَّعَةِ فَكُلُوا وَادَّخِرُوا وَاتَّجِرُوا، أَلَا وَإِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأَيَّامَ أَيَّامُ أَكْلٍ وَشُرْبٍ وَذِكْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ»
[ix] «سنن الترمذي ت بشار» (5/ 397):
3389 – حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو سَعِيدٍ الْأَشَجُّ ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا عُقْبَةُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعْدٍ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمَرْزُبَانِ ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يُمْسِي: رَضِيتُ بِاللهِ رَبًّا، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيًّا، كَانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللهِ أَنْ يُرْضِيَهُ.» هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ