Dawah on Halloween?

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Naeema

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I live in the United States, where Halloween is widely celebrated. I know Halloween is Haraam. I was thinking about getting ready for the annual home barricade this past week and remembered a family I know who are Evangelical Christians and, as such, also believe that Halloween should not be celebrated. However, they do not turn off their lights and hide in their house. Instead, they use it as an opportunity to spread the word about God. As children come to their door, they hand out a small pamphlet (a tract) with a piece of candy.

There have been various times when I have received these pamphlets myself - at a county fair, in the airport, and even at an ice cream stand. I'm not offended by it. The do not say anything horrible, just a short story about God. The people giving them out have no malicious intent. They are basically using the captive audience and providing a small piece of information about their religion. The family I know well say that they don't mind if many are discarded - they hope that someone will read one and, "God will grow in their heart."

What do you think? Are there Islamic tracts? Has anyone ever tried this? Is this a good way to try to reach out to people?
 
السلام عليكم

While tracts are generally a bit more, "If you do not repent your ways, you are condemned to the fire!" in their approach, I think this leaflet is a great approach for Islam, which sadly still has public relations issues in the States.

As their site suggests, I think keeping copies handy makes a lot of sense. I also have a larger, newsletter-sized item from WhyIslam that addresses women's rights in Islam that I keep for quick explanations and reference.

What do you think of offering it from my home on Halloween night to trick or treaters? Is it a good idea to, borrowing from Christians, capitalize on the evening's begging or should I close my home?
 
In my opinion I dont think it is a good idea to single out a particular day that the non-muslims celebrate in disobedience to Allah to give dawah. All the anbiya [prophets] ad rusul [messengers] never picked a particular day to call the non-muslims/disbelievers to Allah's religion [Al-Islam]. Also we have benn forbidden from immitating the disbelievers as Allah's Messenger said:
"Man Tashabbaha Bi-Qawmin Fahuwa Minhum"
"Whoever immitates a people then he is from them"
[collected by Ahmed in his Musnad & Abu Dawood in his Sunnan]

​
Not to mention we were likewise commanded to be different from the non-believers as our beloved Messenger [sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam] said:

"Khaalifu Al-Mushrikeen"
"Be different from the Polytheist"
[collected by Bukhaaree and Muslim]

​
The job of the individual who desires to give dawah [invite people to Tawheed] then it is a full time job and every opportunity to give dawah should be utilized but singling out Halloween as a specific day to give dawah was something not practiced by any of the anbiya wa rusul [prophets and messengers] nor any of the companions nor those who followed after them in beliefs, statements, actions,understandings, and implimentation of the religion qadeeman wa hadeethan [of old and of today]. Just as Allah said on the tongue of Nuh [Noah] (alayhi salam)

"Qaala Rabbi Innee Da'awtu Qawmee Laylan wa Nahaaan"
[71:5]

"And Noah said, Oh my Lord indeed I called my people[to worship You] night and day"
[71:5]

'Thumma Innee Da'awtuhum Jihaaraa"
"Then I invited them Publicly"
[71:8]

"Thumma Innee A'lantu Lahum wa Asrartu Lahum Israaraa"
"Then indeed I announced to them and [also] confided to them secretly"
[71:9]

​
So invite the people to this Tawheed openly and secretly but do not choose a specific day to do this while keeping in mind not to single out Halloween as a day specifically to give dawah. Like i mentioned previously this is my opinion based on a few Ayaat and a few authentic ahadeeth.

Wallahu Alam [And Allah knows best]
 
Would Muhammad (pbuh) have taken every opportunity to tell people about Islam?

If yes, then you would not be imitating non-believers but your prophet himself!

I would give a very simple message about Islam. Nothing too heavy. The basic principles - One God, five pillars. Emphasis on charity, peace, prayer. People can relate to those.
And then some information where to find out more. Perhaps you can involve the local mosque?

Just my penny's worth ...
 
Naeema said:
I live in the United States, where Halloween is widely celebrated. I know Halloween is Haraam. I was thinking about getting ready for the annual home barricade this past week and remembered a family I know who are Evangelical Christians and, as such, also believe that Halloween should not be celebrated. However, they do not turn off their lights and hide in their house. Instead, they use it as an opportunity to spread the word about God. As children come to their door, they hand out a small pamphlet (a tract) with a piece of candy.

There have been various times when I have received these pamphlets myself - at a county fair, in the airport, and even at an ice cream stand. I'm not offended by it. The do not say anything horrible, just a short story about God. The people giving them out have no malicious intent. They are basically using the captive audience and providing a small piece of information about their religion. The family I know well say that they don't mind if many are discarded - they hope that someone will read one and, "God will grow in their heart."

What do you think? Are there Islamic tracts? Has anyone ever tried this? Is this a good way to try to reach out to people?
Click to expand...


I am not fond of such attempts. It would be better to turn off the light. I also do not agree that Holy Qur'an should be freely distributed for free just for the asking. I tend to feel concern that people could not simply read to understand what is meant, as one usually has to study.

I do feel Islamic information should be distributed to persons who show genuine interest when they may know a Muslim or attend an Islam event. Who may be considering to embrace Islam.

Just dole out papers in hope to create more understanding is not the best way of dawah in my humble opinion especially since most of them are kids who would receive it.
 


The prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them" (Abu Dawood)

Halloween Special
​




Every celebration has its roots in a religious belief. Halloween is based on superstition and has evil roots.

When one traces the history of Halloween, we find its origins in the ancient Celtics. The Celts believed that the night before the end of summer i.e. the night between the last day of October and 1st November, the worlds of the living and the dead merged together.

The Celts also believed that during this night the ghosts or spirits wandered around the land seeking bodies to possess or inhabit. Now as the people i.e. living people did not want to be hosts for these spirits and ghosts, they dressed up in costumes and would scream loudly in the streets in an attempt to create confusion or scare the spirits away.
These beliefs are against Islamic teachings. Islam does not believe in a day where the world of the living and the dead merge together with the spirits roaming around looking to damage crops or inhabit bodies. Moreover the whole idea of fortunetelling is strictly forbidden in Islam.

Allah (SWT) says in the Qura’n :"Magic only harms and brings no benefit." (Surah Al Baqarah-ayat 102)

Following such traditions is not only against the Islamic teachings, they are also against the teachings found in the Bible.

Muslims are suppose to primarily apply Islam to their lives and follow the teachings of The Holy Prophet (PBUH). Cultural practices that are contrary to Qura’n and Sunnah should be rejected by Muslims. Islam came to cleanse ignorant and superstitious practices. It propagates the idea of conscious and purposeful living that is beneficial for mankind.

Muslims should try to instill in their children Islamic values instead of allowing them to follow a tradition just because their peers are celebrating it. Allah (SWT) has blessed us with our religious days and a Muslim should give utmost importance to these days and celebrate them.

And those who will not witness vanity, but when they pass near senseless play, pass by with dignity.– [Qur'an 25:72]

 
^
Sister Naeema wasn't suggesting that Muslims should participate in the practices of Halloween, but that they could use it as an opportunity to tell people about Islam.

I am in the slightly unfortunate position to have my birthday on Halloween. So we tend to spend the evening quietly at home and don't open the door.

Halloween means hallow's eve and marks the evening before All Saints Day - when Catholics and other Christian denominations remember those who have died. Unfortunately has become tangled with old pagan traditions. (That's what happens when you place your religious festivals on or around older pagan festivals to attract pagans to your own religion ... it gets messy and people get confused! ^o) But that's another story ...)

Halloween in it's modern form is very much an American thing, but unfortunately has become more popular her in the UK and other parts of Europe.

As I said, we don't participate as a family. And many people don't like it or are frightened by it. Here in the UK you can get posters from the police to put in your window, telling people politely not to disturb you.

http://www.cheshire.police.uk/news--appeals/latest-news/2011/10/free-halloween-notices.aspx
 

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