As today, in the West is apparently Halloween - right now I'm looking forward to a night of being harassed by children asking for lollies. :(
It's sad having to tell children no, but I suppose it's for the best.
For all who are wondering, I'd just like to repost this from the Islamic Society of British Columbia:
Halloween: An Islamic Perspective
Where Does 'Halloween' Come From?
Halloween has evolved and been influenced by a number of different cultures and religions, the most notable of which are paganism, the Romans, the Celts (the people of Ireland, Scotland, Britain, Wales) and Christianity. However, almost all of the traditions surrounding Halloween as we know it today can be traced back to the festival of Samhain - the Celtic Day of the Dead - a pagan holiday. Samhain was the name of the Druid god of the dead. The Druids were a religious order amongst the pagan Celts. On this day, they would try to appease their god of death. These Druids also believed that witches rode on broomsticks and that ghosts were the cause of supernatural occurrences. The belief was that on the eve of the Celtic New Year (which, for them, was October 31), the souls of dead people roamed among the land of the living. The devil, evil spirits and witches were also believed to be moving about and at the height of their power. Halloween was also a time for MAJOR Shirk (associating partners with Allah). There were games and rituals which involved fortune telling. Young people, for instance, would try to see what their marriage prospects were, using omens like apple pairings that were thrown over their shoulders or burning nuts in a fire. In the eighth century, the Pope decided to Christianize this pagan holiday, since he wanted people to abandon the occult and idolatrous practices associated with it. He declared November 1 as "All Saints' Day" or All Hallows' (Holy) Day. This is a day to remember all of the Christians who died for their faith. October 31 was then considered All Hallow's Eve, and this word later evolved into the modern day Halloween.
Origins of Certain Halloween Traditions
Most of the Halloween activities participated in today can be traced back to occult symbolism. For example:
1. Dressing up in costumes:
This was done so that the spirits of the dead would not recognize the people who are living. The Druids would actually sacrifice animals, sometimes even humans, and dress themselves up in their skins. They would then engage in fortune telling wearing these morbid costumes. Another explanation is that today, children who dress up in costumes are carrying on the tradition of representing these spirits.
2. Trick-or-treating:
The Druids would go from house to house on October 31 and demand specific types of food. If their demands were not met, it was believed the people and their homes would be cursed with trouble, sickness and death. Prosperity was promised to those who generously donated. Today, when kids are offered treats by their neighbours, the tradition represents the time when people would offer food to the Druids to appease evil spirits.
3. Jack-o'-Lantern:
This started off as a legend associated with a man of Irish origin named Jack who supposedly enjoyed playing pranks on the devil. After his death, the legend says that Jack did not go to heaven or hell and therefore, had to wander the earth carrying a lantern, which gave him some light to see where he was going. Pumpkins that were hollowed out and had candles lit inside did the job and they were also supposed to scare evil spirits away. Some consider them as symbols of the torches of Halloweens past.
Dealing with Halloween: Tips for Parents
So your kids are begging you to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night (October 31)? They can't wait for all of the bubble gum, lollipops and jawbreakers, not to mention dressing up in a Pokemon or witch costume like the rest of their friends. You watch all of this in dismay, knowing that Halloween is an un-Islamic ritual about Shirk (making partners with Allah) and Shaitaan. You want to put your foot down once and for all and not let the kids go out that evening. As Muslims, it is very important that we refrain from participating in the festivals and rituals of the non-Muslims. But we must also use wisdom in educating our children about why we do not participate in such things. On reverse are some tips about how Muslim parents can intelligently deal with the Halloween hoopla:
Tip #1: Find out Exactly What Halloween Is
Too often, parents themselves are in the dark about the background of occasions and holidays like Halloween and Christmas. Muslims are NOT permitted to participate in such festivals. This is not a trivial matter. Once you find out why these festivals are celebrated, you will think twice about getting your kids involved. In fact, any parent who is trying to raise his or her child as a God-conscious individual will object to the celebration of these occasions. If you discuss it with your kids using correct information, and they sense that you know what you are talking about, they will agree with you about not participating in such rituals.
Tip #2: Talk to Them at Least a few Weeks in Advance
This is made easier by the fact that Halloween sales of candy and costumes are already underway and the yearly ritual of horror movies being released in theatres or shown on television. So the atmosphere is right to have a talk about Halloween. Talking to your kids now as opposed to on the morning of October 31 will give them some time to think about it too, and get used to the concept of not having to go trick-or-treating just because some of their friends are.
Tip #3: Rationally Explain That we Have our own Celebrations
Talking about Halloween in the context of a fiery speech will not help convince kids why they should not participate. Instead, explain that every group or culture has its own celebrations, and we Muslims have our own. Halloween is a pagan celebration. But Eid is just a couple of months away, and that is our celebration. Explain calmly what Halloween is, point out some of its dangers, and let them think about it.
Tip #4: Mention the Other Dangers of Halloween
Horror stories about razor blades in apples, laxatives given in place of chocolate to trick-or-treaters, and even the dangers of being on the street should also be mentioned, but not as the main focus why Muslims object to Halloween.
Tip #5: Explain That Every one of our Islamic Festivals has a Good Meaning
Remind your kids that for Muslims, our holidays always have a good, positive meaning. For example, at Eid-ul-Fitr, we celebrate our joy of fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan, which is a time we strive to get closer to Allah and be better Muslims. Halloween, on the other hand, is celebrated partly as a reminder of Shaitaan, who is evil, and from whom everyone should avoid and seek refuge in Allah from.
Tip #6: Emphasize That There is Nothing Wrong With Being Different
This is crucial because there will be other occasions later on in their lives when Muslim children must not participate in school activities (for example, the Prom.) This does not mean permanent exclusion from all school and/or peer activities, but it means that as Muslims, they can take what is good, but they also have to learn to reject what is bad in a wise manner.
Tip #7: Turn off the Lights, Close the Windows and Educate Your Neighbours
Turning off the lights will give the message that your home isn't participating in the Halloween festival. Closing the windows may be necessary, since throwing eggs at the homes of those not participating is not uncommon. Educate your neighbours about Halloween by posting a brief polite note that, as Muslims, you are not celebrating the occasion.
Tip #8: Keep Your Promise About Eid
For a number of Muslim youth who have grown up in North America, Eid is sometimes just another day, with parents not even taking a day off work. In other cases, while parents may take the day off, the ritual is the same: get up, put on new clothes, drive to a mosque or fancy hall, pray, not understand what's really going on, hug Eid Mubarak with one another, go back home, eat "ethnic" food, get money (as Eid gifts). It's no wonder our kids' eyes light up when they see Christmas lights, brightly wrapped gifts and hear of Halloween fun and treats. Make Eid special. Don't just hype it up during Halloween to convince the kids not to participate and then break your promise. On Eid, give the kids candy; take them out to dinner or to an amusement park. Organize a party and invite their friends over. The possibilities for Halal fun are endless. We owe this to our kids if we want them to stay Muslim and to be proud of it. We owe it to them to celebrate the occasions in life that really matter to us as Muslims, like the two Eids. Finally, we must always keep in mind the warning of our Prophet (PBUH), who said: "Whoever imitates a nation is one of them." (Bukhari).
Wasalaam.
Abu Khadijah.
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