Can I celebrate Halloween? Is it allowed to go to a party? Is dressing up in Halloween costumes permissible in Islam? These are the most common questions Muslims ask about this occasion, as non-Muslim events are always controversial about celebrating allowance.
Therefore, Many Muslims ask scholars about the Halloween celebration legal ruling (fatwa) to avoid doing sins against Islamic teachings.
It’s known that Halloween is not allowed in Islam, although some Muslims in Arab and Muslim countries participate in this occasion. So get to know the reasons for prohibition in Islam.
Table of Contents
Is Halloween haram in Islam?
Islamic scholars agreed that Halloween is prohibited “haram” in Islam. They ruled that Halloween is against the Islamic law “Shariah”, as it’s based on pagan traditions and forbidden practices such as honoring the dead.
It’s noteworthy that Halloween originated from ancient Celtic and European pagan beliefs. It involves devil worship that represents polytheism in Islam.
Furthermore, any occasion or tradition that is against Islamic laws means that it is not following prophet Muhammed’s Sunnah, so it’s considered an innovation (Bid’ah) that leads to misguidance.
Prophet Muhammed said:” The evilest matters in religion are those that are newly invented, for every newly invented matter is an innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire”.
This legal ruling is not only related to Halloween but also any other occasion that is associated with other religions such as Christmas and Valentine’s day.
Can Muslims Celebrate Halloween?
Muslims can’t celebrate Halloween in Islam. The celebration is prohibited as it represents Polytheism (Shirk) due to the devilish practices. So, it’s a sin for Muslims to take part in celebrations that are held in the streets and institutions.
Is participating in “Trick-or-Treats” Custom Haram?
Trick-or-Treats is one of the most popular traditions of Halloween. It’s a practice in which children ask their neighbors for candy by knocking on their doors and saying “Trick or Treats”. In this tradition, kids dress up in spooky costumes that symbolise evil spirits like adults.
According to the Islamic point of view, the “Trick-or-Treats” tradition teaches children to beg. This behaviour in Islam is not allowed except for urgent cases. So, it’s not permitted to let the children participate in this tradition.
Is dressing up for Halloween Haram?
Halloween is popular with its creepy costumes that both adults and kids dress up in. Traditionally they dressed up like monsters such as ghosts, devils, and witches.
Islamic scholars ruled that it’s impermissible for Muslims to dress up in these costumes as they are related to another religion. Additionally, wearing them means participating in celebrations.
Is it allowed to go to Halloween parties?
Going to a Halloween party means participating in the celebration. Some Muslims think that it’s for having a fun time at the party, not for following other religions’ rituals.
But both cases aren’t permissible in Islam, as having fun represents supporting Halloween customs.
In Islam, there are only two Islamic holidays that Muslims should celebrate, which are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
The prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said:” Allah has given you better than those feasts (festivals of non-believers): the ‘Eid-ul-Adha’ and ‘Eid-ul-Fitr”.
The History of Halloween
Some Muslims who celebrate Halloween day aren’t aware of its origin as they consider it an entertaining celebration. However, it’s essential to figure out its history and traditions besides its legal ruling in Islam, so we will give you a brief about Halloween’s origins:
Yearly, people worldwide celebrate Halloween on 31 October. This cultural occasion originated with “Samhain” which is a Celtic festival that evolved wearing particular costumes and lighting bonfires to expel the dead’s ghosts.
The Celts believed that ghosts return on the last night of October. They celebrated this occasion over 2000 years ago.
Pope Gregory determined the first day of November as an occasion of paying attributes to the saints in the eighth century, and then the honouring day of saints evolved the traditions and activities of the Samhain festival.
The duration of Halloween celebration lasts for three days, from 31 October till the 2nd of November.
Celebrations are widely spread in many countries like The United States, Ireland, China, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The word “Halloween” is derived from “ All Hallows’ Eve”, which means hallowed evening.
Halloween Traditions
There are several forms of Halloween traditions which are:
- Trick-or-treat tradition that children ring the neighbors’ doorbells to request treats and candies.
- Eating particular treats such as fruitcake, caramel corn, and candy pumpkins.
- Dressing up in scary costumes that symbolise the dead souls and supernatural beings such as monsters.
- Watching Halloween movies.
- Playing games and pranks.
- Lighting bonfires and candles.
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Conclusion – What a Muslim Should do The Halloween?
It’s prohibited for Muslims to celebrate, join Halloween parties, and wear scary costumes as participating in this occasion is against monotheism and Islamic principles, even the celebration for only fun as it’s associated with pagan doctrines.
In Islam, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the only occasions that Muslims should celebrate.
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