Sister Reminder blogs

“Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!” It’s that time of year again when many parents are deciding whether or not to have some “harmless” fun with their child by celebrating Halloween. Before we jump on the bandwagon, a quick history lesson is in order to rethink our actions.

Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31, and it originates from the Celtic Festival of honoring Samhain, the so called “lord of death”.  The ancient Celts believed that the border allowed spirits to pass into our world on this night. Ancestors were welcomed, whilst harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off ghouls led them to wear costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as one of them and thus avoid harm. On All Hallows’ eve, the ancient Celts would place a skeleton on their window sill to represent the departed.

A pagan festival of the dead huh…to ward off evil spirits? Sounds really harmless and fun. So we convince ourselves that it’s ok…the kids just dress up and ask for candy…it’s just risk-free enjoyment! As Muslims we need to think about what kind of mixed messages we are giving our kids. Sure, little kids dressed up in costumes are cute to look at, but Santa and his elves look cute too… it doesn’t mean that we’re going to start celebrating Christmas! Not to mention capitalism working at its best. According to data by the National Retail Federation, Americans spent $5.8 billion in 2008 on Halloween items! I’m sure we can think of better things to do with our halal money!

Many of us will be surprised to learn that these beliefs and practices still take place today, and it is an active night for modern day witches and devil worshippers to offer their sacrifices and invoke their deities. In fact Halloween night is regarded as the high “Sabbath” for practicing witches.

From Islam, we know that in matters of deen, intention and action always go hand in hand. Similarly, if you look at any of your endeavors in life, logic and experience tells us that the formula for success is always correct intention followed by correct action. By celebrating non-Islamic holidays, we reinforce quite the opposite message. We essentially say to our kids that it’s ok to do what is incorrect, or what is ‘borderline’ behavior, as long as our intentions are ok. Our children look to us for values, it’s not ok to dress up on Halloween unless you want to set an example that may lead your child out of the fold of Islam.

“Has not the time arrived for the believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed to them? That they should not become like those to whom was given the Book aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.”  (Qur’an 57:16)

“When it is said unto them, ‘Come to what Allah has revealed, come to the Messenger,’ they say, ‘Enough for us are the ways we found our fathers following.’ What! Even though their fathers were void of knowledge and guidance?”  (Qur’an 5:104)

I think that as a Muslim mom living in the West, I’m always trying to give my kids balance. I love enjoying time with my kids and having fun, but I try to put it in a framework that is Islamically acceptable. It can still be exciting and fun…the question just becomes… am I willing to be a little creative in finding alternatives for my kids that can be just as wonderful and fun? And we should make a conscious effort to educate our children early on, as to why we choose not to observe these and other traditions which are not based in Islam. By explaining things to children and not brushing it under the rug, it helps quell many of their questions and gives them a sense of identity. And you may be surprised to find that your kids will agree with you and will want to follow the path of Allah all on their own! Last year my son was six years old and he said to me, “So and so person celebrates Halloween, and you know what mom, it’s because he doesn’t understand Islam. We don’t have Halloween in Islam.” And I was just floored! Masha’Allah, like I said, you may just be surprised! All it takes is a little creativity, and the willingness to go that extra mile for our kids. Besides, who wants to celebrate the festival of the dead anyway?