Is Halloween Haram?
Halloween is considered haram in Islam as it honors the dead. Islam only allows Muslims to pray for the dead and anything other than that will be prohibited.
Halloween was established as part of the Celtic end-of-year festival, with October 31st indicating the start of the darker colder months. Celtics believed that on this night, evil spirits would rise from the dead and haunt the city’s people.
Several Muslims are tempted to participate in these celebrations, which is a common practice in the US and Canada. For more info on Halloween and Islam read the article further.
Is Halloween Haram In Islam?
Islam is a religion that generally prohibits Muslims from honoring the dead. On Halloween, kids try to imitate and honor the dead by dressing and looking like the dead ghost from the past.
Despite the fact that many argue that the festival has evolved into a cultural event, Satanists and modern pagans continue to commemorate it.
Our celebrations as Muslims uphold our faith and monotheism. Anything to do with the devil is totally haram and every Muslim should avoid it.
Allah says:
“Surely Satan is a sworn enemy to humankind.”
[Quran 12:5]
Some Muslims might say that Halloween is just a tradition and they don’t actually believe in it and is only just for fun. We should know that these traditions can cause a big effect on our kids and can initiate negative thoughts against Islam.
Malaysian Islamic authority has banned Halloween celebrations by giving this fatwa:
“It cannot be celebrated by Muslims. To remember those who have passed away, Islam suggests the practices of reciting doa (prayers) and Quran.”
Muslims are generally suggested to celebrate only the festivities including in Islam for example the two Eids (Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha).
Allah says:
“For every community We appointed a code1 of life to follow.2 So do not let them dispute with you ˹O Prophet˺ in this matter. And invite ˹all˺ to your Lord, for you are truly on the Right Guidance.”
[Quran 22:67]
Halloween as we know started to praise the devil by celebrating the dead ghosts and imitating the pagans. Islam is always with the truth and made it haram for Muslims to celebrate anything that is not told in Islam.
Ibn ’Umar (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“He who imitates any people (in their actions) is considered to be one of them.” Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Hibban graded it as Sahih.
[Book 16, Hadith 35]
Islam declares a person who follows or imitates people will be considered one of those people meaning those Muslims who celebrate or take part in Halloween will be considered pagans and not Muslims.
There is one more reason why scholars declare Halloween as haram is that people celebrate the death of God in this particular festivity. Muslims believe in One God Allah and none else.
Muslims should not engage in any activity that has its roots in devil worship.
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Can Muslims Celebrate Halloween?
It all starts in the middle, with people viewing it as harmless, and things are passed down through generations. My children are reasonable; they do not want to go to school that day.
I’ve also noticed that it’s a result of parental pressure. Simply purchase cheap chocolates on sale after Halloween for our use. It is even risky to knock on strangers’ doors and risk eating tainted food.
I believe that many Americans grew up with Halloween and can’t get it out of their heads still we need to avoid our children being a part of it.
We get so caught up in trying to justify everything that we forget to ask, “Is this something that would make Allah happy with me and my family celebrating something?”
As a general rule, it does not matter whether we like something or not. What matters is the liking or disliking of Allah. Let’s take an example here of the five obligatory prayers for Muslims. Most Muslims pray as it would please Allah not cause they like it.
It’s best to avoid these celebrations of pagans and honoring devils that go against the beliefs. Muslims are not allowed to celebrate Halloween stated by a vast majority of scholars.
It makes sense that a person who wishes to please God would not participate in a celebration that God condemns. However, it is obviously up to each individual conscious to make a decision for themselves and their families. We eventually get the results of our choices, so make wise decisions.
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Is It Haram To Go Trick or Treating?
Halloween includes several festival traditions and kids enjoy going door to door to trick or treat. Kids tend to dress up as ghosts and would want a treat to leave people who got scared of them.
A Celtic origin where people would dress their kids as animals to protect them from kidnappers. Muslim kids should be stopped from this practice as it will imitate Celtic behavior.
Although some scholars do say that it’s okay for kids to participate if they do not entertain any haram activities. A child wants to have fun with their friends and if Islam prevents them from having fun in an early stage of their life when they can’t think straight, they will turn away from Islam.
It’s suggested to stop kids from trick or treat but in some cases, if the kid really wants to go and is cranky the parents should let him or her go with some Islamic rulings.
Fatwa of Mufti Ebrahim Desai:
“Celebrating Halloween in any form is impermissible and against the teachings of Islam.”
[source]
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Is Dressing Up For Halloween Haram?
Yes dressing up like dead people or ghosts is considered haram in Islam. Some Muslims think that Halloween celebrated today is different from that of older times still the imitation of the Celtic is still there.
Any festivity that imitates the people of other religions is haram in Islam.
Is It Haram To Go To A Halloween Party?
Yes, it will be haram to attend the Halloween party as all modern Halloween party includes haram activities.
One needs to wear clothes to look like ghosts or dead people. Again imitation or honoring the dead is haram in Islam.
Halloween parties now include alcohol in general and all non-Islamic activities as well that are specially made haram or declared prohibited for Muslims.
As a result, attending a Halloween party is prohibited for Muslims, and it is better for all of us to focus on two Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
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Final Thoughts
Celebrating or taking part in any Halloween activity is considered haram by the vast majority of Islamic scholars. Halloween is a Celtic holiday in which people honor the dead and the devil. Anything to do with the devil is haram in Islam.
Halloween parties involve non-Islamic activities like drinking. Again attending these parties will be considered haram in Islam.
As kids these days in North America celebrate Halloween it will be hard to stop them at first. I would suggest starting to tell them about Islam and that these festivities aren’t a part of Islam. Let them enjoy it at first and slowly stop them.
If a parent stops their kids it can result in a negative impact on the kid and he or she can begin to hate Islam.
All the grown-ups should however not participate in any Halloween activity and the kids should be stopped when they start to understand the religion.
And Allah Knows Best.
