So your children have noticed the pumpkins, candy, costumes, etc in the stores. They have heard non-Muslim children talking about this yearly pagan ritual. Halloween night is quickly approaching once again, aouthu billah! The stores are stocked with candy, costumes, pumpkins, you name it! You watch all of this in dismay, astagh ferrullah! You know what Halloween is all about Shirk (making partners with Allah) and Shaytan you aren't going to let your children go anywhere on that evening. How can we deal with Halloween?
* Find out exactly what Halloween is all about. Too often, parents themselves are in the dark about the background of non-Muslim occasions and holidays like Halloween. Don’t think this is a trivial matter. Once you find out why Halloween is celebrated, you will think twice about getting your children involved. In fact, any parent who is trying to raise his or her child as a Muslim who wants to please Allah will object to the participation in Halloween. If you discuss it with your children using correct information, and they see that you know what you are talking about, they will understand their role as a Muslim and that this pagan ritual does not please Allah, Insha-Allah!
* Talk to children that know what is going at least a few weeks in advance. This is made easier by the fact that Halloween sales of candy and costumes are already underway and the yearly ritual of horror movies being released or shown on television (which Muslims should not be watching). Read about The Ill Effects of Television at www.TheMuslimWoman.com/Beware. Talk to them the whole month of October as soon as sales have begun in the stores. Don't wait until October 31st!
* Explain that Muslims have two great holidays that we celebrate in Islam.own celebrations. Explain about the greatness of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Mention the weekly Eid of Jumuah! Explain that each group, culture and religion have their own celebrations, and as Muslims we have our own. Explain that Halloween is a pagan celebration and that Allah is not happy with those who associate partners with Him. Condemn those who celebrate Halloween. Point out the dangers, and make your children think about it in relation to Allah and the Hereafter.
* Mention the other dangers of Halloween. Horror stories about razor blades in apples, Ex-Lax laxative given instead of chocolate to trick-or-treaters, or the dangers on the street should also be mentioned, but not made the focus of the reasons why you object to Halloween.
* Remind your children that our two Eids have a good and positive meaning given to us by Allah. For example, explain that on Eid-ul-Fitr, we celebrate the great rewards of fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan, which is a time when we strive to get closer to Allah and be better Muslims. Halloween, on the other hand, is celebrated as a reminder of Shaytan, who is evil and our greatest enemy, and everyone should seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan the accursed.
* Emphasize that each person has the choice to obey or disobey Allah. This is crucial because there will be other occasions later on in their lives that Muslim children must not participate in (for example, birthdays and independence day). They have to learn to enjoin what is good and forbide what is evil. They need to learn what pleases Allah and what angers Allah.
* Arrange a meeting at your child's school to discuss Halloween, celebrations and activities that Muslims are not permitted to participate in. Also talk about what kinds of activities you would recommend or approve of, and discuss the greatness of Muslim celebrations. Enjoin what is good and forbide what is evil.
* Don’t send your child to school the day of Halloween if someone insists on joining the ritual. If the teacher has scheduled any type of activity in relation to this pagan ritual, simply don’t send your child that day. Write a short letter or note to the teacher and principal explaining why Muslim's do not participate in this ritual and why you will not be sending your child on that day.
* Turn off the lights, close the windows and educate your neighbors with a polite note on the door mentioning that you are not participating in this pagan ritual. Turning off the lights will give the message that your home is not interested in Halloween. Closing the windows will help to block out the noise of the non-Muslim children participating in the ritual. Listen to (or read allowed) Surah Al-Baqarah that evening to safeguard you and your family from jinn. This will also aid in blocking out the noise of children outside, Insha-Allah.
* Spread the word: two to three weeks in advance. Educate the Muslims as well as the non-Muslims about what exactly Halloween is and what parents can do about it.
* Remember these non-Muslims occasions at Eid time. For a number of Muslim youth who have grown up in North America, Eid is sometimes just another day, with parents not even taking a day off work. In other cases, while parents may take the day off, the ritual is the same: get up, put on new clothes, drive to fancy hall, pray, not understand what’s really going on, huge "Eid Mubarak", go back home, eat "ethnic" food, get money (as Eid gift). Period. It’s no wonder Muslim children light up their eyes when they see Christmas lights, brightly wrapped gifts and hear of Halloween fun and treats. Eid should be great times of fun for all Muslims young and old. Eid should be filled with excitement, games, candy, and fun! Make the most out of Eid, go all out!!! Organize a huge party with gifts, games and fun with your local community. Make each Eid the most special day of the entire year.
Sister Asma