While we are waiting for Christmas to come, it seems impossible to ignore Halloween in the meantime. It is full of fun and excitement which is why it is so popular among many people around the world. But, have you ever thought about why you are celebrating this day? Or, as a Muslim is it compatible with your Islamic values? Let’s find out.  

What is the history of Halloween? 

The Pagan Roots of Halloween

Halloween which is held on 31st of October annually marked “the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter” [1] for the pagan Celts of Samhain. They also believed that on this day “spirits from other worlds (such as the souls of the dead) were able to visit earth…and roam about” [2].

Therefore, they would wear some costumes and light bonfires to keep the ghosts away. They would also worship their idols and pagan Gods on this celebration. 

The Christian Version

Just the same as Celtics who worshipped their pagan Gods on this day, the Christians who entered the British Isles, tried to adopt this celebration with their tradition and replaced the pagan Gods with their Saints. So, Halloween turned into the day on which the Christian saints were commemorated, and became the All Saints Day. However, “the customs of Samhain survived anyway, and eventually became intertwined with the Christian holiday” [2]. 

A Satanic Holiday

In 1966, Anton LaVey who founded the false cult of “Satanism” declared Halloween to be one of its official holidays. Besides, the inappropriate and sometimes horrifying costumes that are used on this celebration include signs or symbols that are identified with Satanism.

However, since Halloween has been practiced long before this association was made, we cannot accuse anyone who is celebrating Halloween of being a Satanic. But, it is necessary to be aware of the ones who are taking advantage of this celebration for their ends.         

What Should We Do as Muslims?

Islam Respects Traditions, not Superstitions
 
As we have seen above, Halloween roots back to the rites and rituals of ancient pagans of Celtic origin and then continued to be celebrated by Christians along with some adaptations. While nowadays no one thinks about the reason for this celebration or the rituals practiced on it anymore (such as trick-or-treat, wearing scary costumes, etc.), they still represent the superstitions in which Celtic pagans believed.

As Muslims, if we want to find out about Islam’s attitude toward Halloween, we should look at Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUHHP) way of reacting to such traditional celebrations. At the time of the emergence of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (PBUHHP) respected most of the traditions and all monotheistic religions that existed at that time. However, he tried to reject the superstitions that had no rationale behind them and were based on false beliefs. So, he decided to wipe away the superstitious traditions that were practiced by pre-Islamic Arabs through informing them of their falsehood. 

Is Islam against Having Fun?

Of course not. However, there are three points that we should observe when we are having fun: 

1. It does not harm one’s self and others, physically or mentally. 

Many reports reveal the dangers that threaten people, especially children, on the Halloween’s eve; these include car accidents which have a high rate on this night [4]. As Dr. Rebecca Parker, chairwoman of the American College of Emergency Physicians' board of directors, puts, “ This is a time when we see an increase of kids being hit and killed by cars” [5].

Also, according to the tradition of this day, people would wear scary costumes to send the ghosts coming from the other world away. But, as a person who lives in the twentieth century, we know that such a belief is entirely superstitious and irrational. So, what is the use of scaring other people and our children with a weird and sometimes disgusting look? Doesn't it result in a psychologically adverse effect?

2. Our Islamic Duties are not Ignored 

As Muslims, we should always be observant of our actions, even if we are having fun. It is essential to keep in mind that our activities, whatever they are, do not prevent us from what Allah has commanded (prayer (Salat), fasting (Sawm), etc.). Nor do they invite us toward committing what He has forbidden (e.g., drinking alcohol, dancing, participating in inappropriate parties, observing modesty, etc.)

3. It is not an aimless pleasure [3].

Islam always recommends us to be aware of what we are doing and think about our intention before any action. Even when we are having fun, there should be something behind it that makes it worthwhile. When enumerating the characteristics of a faithful person in Quran, Allah also mentions those who avoid vain actions (23:3); i.e., those activities that have no use for us and would only waste our time.

4. We Won’t look like atheists or those who are against God in doing them.

As mentioned above, Halloween roots back to Celtic pagan’s worship of their idols and many Gods. It can be argued that today we don’t celebrate Halloween with the intention of worshiping idols or performing a Satanic holiday. The rituals are still the same and still represent the Celtic culture and tradition – as we said Christians had a very limited influence upon Halloween and the way it is celebrated- which was polytheistic. 

A Muslim’s life should mirror his beliefs in every aspect. So, if an action even in appearance, represents what is against Islam or far from its teachings, then it should be avoided by Muslims. 

So, if you are a Muslim and wonder what to do on Halloween’s eve, make sure that you know enough about the reasons behind this celebration. And make sure it has no danger toward yourself or others, you do not commit any action against Islamic laws (e.g., drinking alcohol, wearing immodest clothes, etc.), you don’t waste your time in doing them, and you won’t contradict your belief in Islam through looking like an atheist. 

References:

1. History of Halloween
2. Halloween in Islam
3. muslim have fun 
4. biggest danger on Halloween
5. Halloween deadliest day 

Hadith 21: The Condition of Honor

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever wants to be in the neighborhood of the Prophet (pbuh&HP) and next to Ali (AS) and Fatima (AS) should not leave the pilgrimage of Imam Hussain (AS).  
Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, p. 331, p. 39

Hadith 22: Pilgrimage, Divine Duty

Imam Sadiq (as) said: If one of you observes the Ihram of Hajj for the entire of his life but does not visit Imam Hussain (as), he has left the right of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) because the right of Hussain (as) is a divine duty and obligatory for every Muslim.
 Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, p. 333

Hadith 23: Karbala, the Kaaba of Perfection

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever does not visit the grave of Imam Hussain (as) until he dies, his faith will be incomplete and his religion will be incomplete, and when he goes to heaven, he will be lower than the believers there. 
Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, p. .335

Hadith 24: From Pilgrimage to Martyrdom

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Do not leave the pilgrimage of Imam Hussain (as) and recommend it to your friends and companions as well! May Allah prolong your life, increase your sustenance, and may Allah bless you alive and you will not die except as a martyr. 
Wasa'il al-Shi'ah  vol. 10, p. 335

Hadith 25: The Hadith of Love

It was narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) that he said: Whoever Allah wants good, will put the love of Hussain (AS) and his pilgrimage in his heart, and whoever Allah wants bad, will have him hate Hussain (AS) and anxious with his pilgrimage.
 Wasa'il al-Shi'ah  vol. 10, p. 388, Sea of Lights, vol. 98, p. 76

Hadith 26: A Sign of Being a Shiite

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever does not visit the grave of Imam Hussain and dies as our Shiite and dies, is not our Shiite, and even if he is from the people of Paradise, he is the guest of the people of Paradise.
Kamel Al-Ziyarat, p. 193, Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 98, p.4

Hadith 27: Ascension Platform

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever visits the grave of Hussain (as) and has knowledge of the right of that Imam, Allah Almighty will register him in the highest rank.
Man la yahzurul Faqih, vol. 2, p.581

Hadith 28: The School of Knowledge

Imam Musa Kadhim (as) said: The least reward that is given to the pilgrim of Imam Hussain (as) on the banks of the Euphrates is that all his sins, before and after, are forgiven. Provided that he knows the right, honor and guardianship of that Imam.
Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 10, p. 236, quoting Kamil al-Ziyarat, p. 138

Hadith 29: Like the Pilgrimage of Allah

Imam Reza (as) said: Whoever visits the grave of Imam Hussain (as) on the banks of the Euphrates is like the one who has visited Allah. 
Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 10, p. 250, quoting in full

Chapter Three: Ashura and Arbaeen

Hadith 30: Pilgrimage at Ashura

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever visits Imam Hussain (as) on the day of Ashura, heaven will be obligatory for him. 
Iqbal al-A'mal, p. 568

Hadith 31: Above Prosperity

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Whoever wakes up on the night of Ashura next to the shrine of Imam Hussain (as), on the Day of Judgment he will rush to Allah stained in his blood, like someone who was killed in Karbala next to Imam Hussain (as). 
Wasaelu shiah, vol. 10, p.372

Hadith 32: Signs of Faith

Imam Hassan Askari (as) said: The signs of a believer are five: 

1 Fifty prayers 

2 Arbaeen pilgrimage

3 Ring in the right hand 

4 Prostrating on the ground 

5 Saying loudly the name of Allah, (Bismillah Rahman Rahim)

 Wasaelu shia, vol. 10, p. 373, and also Al-Tahdhib, vol. 6, p. 52

Chapter Four: Torbat and Tasbih of Love

Hadith 33: His Porch 

The Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP) said: Know that the answer to prayer is under the dome of his shrine and healing is in his soil, and the Imams (as) are of his children.
 Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 10, p.335

Hadith 34: Soil and Training

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Take your children with the soil of Hussain (as) (Karbala) because the soil of Karbala insures your children. 
Wasaelu Shiah, vol. 10, p.410

Hadith 35: The Greatest Medicine

Imam Sadiq (as) said: The cure for any pain is in the soil (torbat) of Hussain (as) and it is the greatest medicine. Kamil Al-Ziyarat, p. 275 and Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, p. 410

Hadith 36: Torbat (soil of Karbala) and seven hijabs

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Prostration on the soil of Hussain (as) tears the seven veils. 
Mesbah al-Muttahid, p. 511, and Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 98, p. 135

Hadith 37: Prostration on the Soil of Love

Imam Sadiq (as) did not prostrate on the ground except on the soil of Hussain (as) and he did this in violence for the sake of Allah.
Wasailu shiah vol. 3, p.608

Hadith 38: Rosary with the Soil of Karbala

Imam Sadiq (as) said: Prostration on the soil of Karbala can light up to the seventh earth, and whoever has a rosary from the soil of the shrine of Hussain (as) with him, is a truthful person, even if he says nothing.
Man la yahzurulFaqih vol 1 p 268 

Hadith 39: Healing Soil

Imam Kadhim (as) while narrating a hadith announcing his death, said: do not take anything from the soil of my grave to seek blessings, because it is forbidden for us to eat any soil except the soil of my grandfather Hussain (as), Allah Almighty has healed only the soil of Karbala for the Shiites and our friends. 
Jami ahadith, vol. 12, p.533

Hadith 40: One of the Four Needs

Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (as) said: Our needs are four things:

1. Prayer mat on which prayers are offered.

2. Rings on the finger

3. Toothbrush with which to brush teeth

4. A rosary from the shrine of Imam Hussain (as) Tahdhib al-Ahkam, vol. 6, p. 75