Salamun alaykum,
As I was doing my regular shopping at the Super store I noticed that a special area with dim lighting had been set up where various items such as clothes, skeletons, lanterns, black cats, bats, brooms, witch costumes, all in dark orange or black colours had been stocked. I couldn't fail to notice the piles of round, bright orange pumpkins displayed for sale. This alerted me that Halloween was near. It's on Monday 31st October!
Do we celebrate Halloween?
In response to this question it is essential to understand the history of this celebration.
Among ancient Pagans of the British Isles, such as the Gaelics, a celebration to mark the beginning of winter was held on 31st October. On this day it was believed that supernatural forces gathered together, barriers between human and supernatural world were broken. They believed that Spirits, souls of the dead visit the earth and roam around. On the eve of this day a festival for the sun god- Samhain and lord of the dead was held. The sun was thanked for the harvest and given moral support for the upcoming "battle" with winter. In ancient times, the pagans made sacrifices of animals and crops in order to please the gods.
Origin of the name 'Halloween': When Christianity came to the British Isles, the church tried to take attention away from the pagan ritual of celebrating festival for the sun god by placing a Christian holiday- the Feast of All Saints- on the same day. The term Halloween is Scottish shortening of 'Allhallow-even' meaning "Eve of All Saints" or the night before All Saints Day. Initially this Feast of all Saints was observed by the church on May13th.
Change of Date: Later Pope Gregory III and IV supplanted the sun god festival with Christian holy day of All Saints day by moving the Feast of all Saints All Hallows evening from May 13th to November 1st where mass is held on the preceding evening on October 31st.
Halloween customs and traditions: The custom or traditions included to don costumes of devils, witches, skeletons, set up lanterns to drive off the evil spirits and demons. Images of bats, black cats, witches were displayed. These animals were believed to communicate with the spirits of the dead. People dressed in costumes would call on their neighbours for treats. (Trick or Treat) Often they would play tricks on their neighbours. Blame for the resulting chaos was placed on the "spirits". Other traditions included communication with the spirits of dead, divination/foretelling.
Thus it can be seen that all Halloween traditions are based on ancient pagan culture or traditions that do not hold in Islam. Therefore as Muslims, can our celebrations be activities that are based on pagan rituals and the spirit world?
The celebrations need to honor and uphold our faith and beliefs.
Just having fun? Our children see their friends dressed up for Halloween and get tempted to join in. Many people participate in these celebrations without even understanding its history and the pagan connections. It's done just because their friends are doing it. Will you join the train?
We must be careful to preserve our own traditions and not allow ourselves, especially our children, to be corrupted by this seemingly "innocent" fun.
Let us save the celebrations, the fun and games for our festivals on the Islamic calendar. Holidays for Muslims are not excuses to indulge in reckless, meaningless activities. In Islam our holidays, such as Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adhha, while allowing fun, games, rejoicing, celebrations etc, they do retain their religious importance.
During these solemn days of Azadari, let us make an informed decision for the best upbringing of our children as awladus salih and muminin.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat