I love that in Islam we are judged based on our intentions. Truly, that is a blessing.
With Halloween festivities beginning all over the country, how is a Muslim expected to act? So Halloween's roots are from pagan traditions worshiping the devil, right? Personally, I don't believe in this modern day the majority of those who celebrate this holiday has the intention to worship the devil in any way. Therefore, I do not believe it is a sin upon them to have fun dressing up and eating lots of sugar! Of course, dressing up in a modest manner. Now I know I may be wrong, but this is what makes sense to me right now. Yesterday was the first time I dressed up since before Islam came into my life. Reason being was that everyone at work was dressing up and it sounded like fun. Our intentions were to see each other dressed up in a different character and have a few laughs. No biggie. We weren't standing around praising the devil in any way nor was the devil ever mentioned! We still said "God willing" and "Praise be to God" when a situation to do so occurred.
I can see why it would be wrong to celebrate Halloween if your intention was to show too much skin or worship the devil, but if it's just for a little bit of fun and no harm to anyone then what's the problem? There are just some things I have a hard time accepting. . .
I, too, "celebrated" Halloween in my own way. My family goes trick or treating together, but only to family members' houses, and it's just a fun way to spend time together, visit family, and get a few laughs.
ReplyDeleteLast night I actually went to an international Halloween party at my SIL's English school. My SIL, her husband, and my husband are all born, very practicing Muslims, yet they all went, as well, and we even dressed up our son, as they did their daughter (they were a prince and princess, too cute!)
I have been "scolded" online by Muslims for continuing to celebrate "haram" holidays. I've found that for the most part, it's reverts to Islam who are very adamant about these things (as well as other "haram" things) and that born Muslims are actually more accepting, realizing the culture aspect of these holidays (and the fact that there are totally secular ways to celebrate most of them).
Bismillah,
ReplyDeleteAssalamu alaykum
It would be beneficial to find out with those who actually know the religion. Just my humble request :) I highly reccomend askimam.org if you want a reliable answer in matters of Islam.
I personally stay away from any holiday other than the Eids and know that many people do celebrate all sorts of holidays and won't judge them for doing that; it's entirely their choice. The dangerous part is when we start to think and say that something is or isn't ok with Islam; we should leave that to the learned thus keeping this beatiful religion of Islam from corruption.
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ReplyDeleteAssalamu alaykum dear sister!
ReplyDeleteAccording to your argumentation it should also be permissible to celebrate xmas, easter, passah, paryushana parva, yom kippur, ..... Because you don't do any harm to any1 and you don't worship the devil. That doesn't just don't seem right to me, I mean, that is not the sense of Islam, is it.
Salam girls :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the feedback. It's comforting to know I'm not the only Muslim who "celebrated."
I find it interesting that when I was first learning about Islam, many Muslims were telling me how great it is that we are all judged based on our intentions. And when the time comes for a holiday not permitted in Islam, it's not about our intention anymore. Just the same for Christmas. I enjoy this day even though I am Muslim because it's a very joyous day with my family. We have good food, good conversation and basically the whole family gets together which is sweet. My family goes to church while I stay behind, but I still see no problem with enjoying the day with my loved ones. I knew this one revert sister who would lock herself up in her room all day during Christmas while the rest of her family enjoyed their time together. I don't agree with this at all. It can be hurtful to our families and I am not convinced that Allah would be pleased with this. The origins of these holidays do not matter to me simply because it's not my intention to practice them in any way. I am simply having good times with my loved ones.
Bismillah,
ReplyDeleteSee Elisa, you have an excuse for all of this simply because you're new to Islam, and, of course it would be very hard to watch or hear everyone in your house having fun and not join them. I will never judge you for doing that. Now, what i said earlier and want to stress about is that our understanding of Islam doesn't equal the reality of Islam thus we should always refer to the learned of the religion and draw from them the rulings by which Islam should be followed and understood. If this difers from our desires let us admit that we're doing such and such because we are at this comfort level (let that be celebrating non-Islamic holidays or whatever) but let's never try to fit our desires into what Islam is or isn't. I think if Muslims understand this boundary there would be a lot more tolerance between those who adhere strictly to the law of Islam and those who are not at such level yet. Mutual understanding and respect should always be observed even when someone does something which we don't agree with.
Best wishes in your path of Islam :)
I absolutely agree with N. Perez!
ReplyDeleteI think, you don't have to lock yourself up in your room, Elisa. You can join your family and just be with them, so you don't hurt them. But it is just not right to join all the excitement and preparation and the presents. Do you have kids? What about them?
I love the way N. Perez was able to disagree while still being completely respectful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes, I did agree with Elisa in that I celebrate Halloween, as well, and for me, personally, being raised this way, it is a hard thing to suddenly find fault in. Do I claim it's Islamic? No. Do I recommend Muslims from other cultures start "adopting" Halloween and it's customs? No. Do I personally 'celebrate'? Yes.
Sometimes our understanding of something comes slowly, or our "conviction" on a certain matter comes slowly. Will I ever stop celebrating Halloween? I don't know, probably. Am I actively trying, not that much. I feel it's a minor concern in the big scheme of things and there are much larger ways that I need to improve myself and my Islam first.
Again, I love what N. Perez said about current "comfort levels" in Islam/faith. I'm so glad to see a blogger that can spread da'wah in a way that actually gets to me, instead of a way that makes me put up my defenses. :)