Answer
Short Answer: One solution may be to be more proactive. Instead of just waiting and dreading the conversations you will be subject to, maybe you can send a short note or flyer to your neighborhood families explaining that you do not celebrate Halloween, and some simple and respectful reasons why it is not in accordance with your belief as Muslims. This would give your neighbors a better opportunity to know you on a personal level, something every one of us should strive for, and would be considered a form of Da’wah (invitation to Islam), carrying great rewards from Allah, insh’Allah (God willing). Some Muslim communities will organize a get-together for Muslim children at their local masjid or Islamic center on Halloween night; organizing games, movies, short religious talks on the truth about Satan, the mischievous jinn, and the afterlife, etc.
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Salam Dear Brother,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
Celebrating Halloween and other traditions practiced in North America very often leave Muslims wondering what to do.
On the one hand, we don’t want to do anything that would go against Allah or the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but we must live and associate with people from all different beliefs and traditions as active members of the communities we live in.
It would be difficult to answer your door numerous times on Halloween night to try to explain to children and their parents why you don’t have any candy for them.
Some Suggestions
One solution may be to be more proactive. Instead of just waiting and dreading the conversations you will be subject to, maybe you can send a short note or flyer to your neighborhood families explaining that you do not celebrate Halloween, and some simple and respectful reasons why it is not in accordance with your belief as Muslims.
This would give your neighbors a better opportunity to know you on a personal level, something every one of us should strive for, and would be considered a form of Da’wah (invitation to Islam), carrying great rewards from Allah, insh’Allah (God willing).
Some Muslim communities will organize a get-together for Muslim children at their local masjid or Islamic center on Halloween night; organizing games, movies, short religious talks on the truth about Satan, the mischievous jinn, and the afterlife, etc.
We need to be careful, however, that these types of events do not become known as “Muslim Halloween” in an effort to divert Muslim youth and children from going out to “Trick or Treat”.
Another option would be to go out for an evening with your family. Perhaps a movie or dinner at a nice restaurant, or maybe you can use the time to catch-up on shopping. This would show your family members that you are not a stick in the mud that does not like to enjoy life.
Halloween visitors would easily see that nobody is home and continue to the next house. Please be aware that many people of other faith groups refrain from celebrating Halloween. Many Christian families are also of the opinion that it tends to unduly glorify the world of ghosts and evil spirits, and they keep their children from participating as well.
Brother Maan Khalife, a former member of Ask About Islam editorial team, added:
Open Letter to Neighbors
Now what can you tell your neighbors so they don’t bother you:
“Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are doing well. I am your next door neighbor living at ….
As Halloween is approaching, I just wanted to inform you that my family and I follow the Islamic faith and like many people of faith, we do not celebrate Halloween. Therefore, we thought to let you know ahead of time in order to avoid any embarrassment.
Like many Jewish and Christian families, we feel that Halloween represents evil and religions promote goodness. We fully understand that not everyone looks at it the same way but we just prefer to shut that door altogether and rather do some other activities with our kids during that day.
I am hoping that one day we could share some food together that my family will prepare. This is a nice way to introduce you to some of our delicacies.
I thank you for your cooperation and understanding regarding this matter.
Faithfully,
Maan & Family”
You might be thinking that’s going a bit too far; I will have too many meals to prepare for each neighbor. What I suggest that every once in a while to increase your meal’s portion to distribute to neighbors, one or two. After some time, you will have the whole neighborhood covered.
Hadiths on Doing Good to Neighbors
I know what you are thinking again, this sounds like additional burden; however, I just wanted to remind you about what our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in the authentic hadith:
Abdullah bin Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“The companion who is the best in the sight of Allah is the one who is best to his companion. And the neighbor who is the best in the sight of Allah is the one who is best to his neighbor.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Mujahid narrated:
“Abdullah bin Amr had a sheep slaughtered for his family, so when he came he said: ‘Have you given some to our neighbor, the Jew? Have you given some to our neighbor, the Jew? I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: ‘Jibril continued to advise me about (treating) the neighbors so (kindly and politely), that I thought he would order me (from Allah) to make them heirs.” (At-Tirmidhi)
It was narrated from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever has land and wants to sell it, let him offer it to his neighbor first.”(Ibn Majah)
I hope this has been helpful to you. May Allah reward you for your desire to stay on the straight path, and may He open a door for you and your community.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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