must be waged against all customs and practises which originate from societies'
ignorance of divine guidance, and in the errors of idol worship.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) issued a stern warning: "Whoever
imitates a nation is one of them!" (Abu Da'oud). Muslims should heed this warning and
refrain from copying or imitating the kufar in their celebrations. Islam has strongly
forbidden Muslims to follow the religious or social customs of the non-Muslims, and
especially of the idol-worshippers or those who worship the devil. The Prophet (s.a.s.)
said: "By Him in Whose hands is my life, you are ordered to enjoin good and forbid evil,
or else Allah will certainly afflict you with torments. Thereafter, even your du'a
(supplications) will not be accepted." (Tirmidhi).
From an Islamic standpoint, Hallow'een is one of the worst celebrations because
of its origins and history. It is HARAM (forbidden), even if there may be some seemingly
good or harmless elements in those practises, as evidenced by a statement from the
Prophet (s.a.s.) "Every innovation (in our religion) is misguidance, even if the people
regard it as something good" (ad-Daarimee.). Although it may be argued that the
celebration of Hallow'een today has nothing to do with devil-worship, it is still forbidden
for Muslims to participate in it. If Muslims begin to take part in such customs, it is a sure
sign of weak iman and that we have either forgotten, or outrightly rejected the mission of
our Prophet (s.a.s.) who came to cleanse us from jahiliyyah customs, superstitions and
false practises.
Muslims are enjoined to neither imitate the behaviour and customs of the non-Muslims,
nor to commit their indecencies. Behaviour-imitation will affect the attitude of a Muslim
and may create a feeling of sympathy towards the indecent modes of life. Islam seeks to
cleanse the Muslim of all immoral conducts and habits, and thus paving the way for the
Qur'an and Sunnah to be the correct and pure source for original Islamic thought and
behaviour. A Muslim should be a model for others in faith and practice, behaviour and
moral character, and not a blind imitator dependant on other nations and cultures.
Even if one decides to go along with the outward practises of Hallow'een without
acknowledging the deeper significance or historical background of this custom, he or she
is still guilty of indulging in this pagan festival. Undoubtedly, even after hearing the
Truth, some Muslims will still participate in Hallow'een, send their kids "trick-or-
treating," and they will try to justify it by saying they are doing it merely to make their
children happy. But what is the duty of Muslim parents? Is it to follow the wishes of their
children without question, or to mould them within the correct Islamic framework as
outlined in the Qur'an and Sunnah? Is it not the responsibility of Muslim parents to
impart correct Islamic training and instruction to their children? How can this duty be
performed if, instead of instructing the children in Islam, parents allow and encourage
their children to be taught the way of the unbelievers? Allah exposes these types of
people in the Qur'an: "We have sent them the Truth, but they indeed practice falsehood"
(23:10). Muslim parents must teach their children to refrain from practicing falsehood,
and not to imitate the non-Muslims in their customs and festivals. If the children are
taught to be proud of their Islamic heritage, they themselves will, insha Allah, abstain
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