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Where Does Halloween Come from?

Halloween has evolved and been influenced by a number of different cultures and religions, the most important of which are paganism, the Romans, the Celts (the people of Ireland, Scotland, Britain, Wales) and Christianity.

However, almost all of the traditions surrounding Halloween as we know it today can be traced back to the Celtic Day of the Dead, a pagan holiday.

Samhain was the name of the Druid god of the dead. The Druids were a religious order amongst the Celts. On this day, they would try to appease their Lord of Death. These Druids also believed that witches rode on broom sticks and that ghosts were the cause of supernatural occurrences.

The belief was that on the eve of the Celtic New Year (which for them was October 31), the souls of the dead people roamed the land of the living. The Devil, spirits and witches were also believed to be moving about and at the height of their power.

Halloween was also a time for MAJOR Shirk (making partners with God).

There were games and rituals which involved fortune-telling Young people, for instance, would try to see what their marriage prospects were using omens like apple pairings that were thrown over their shoulders, or nuts being burned in a fire.

The Pope, in the eight century, decided to Christianize this pagan holiday since he wanted people to abandon the occult and idolatrous practices associated with it, and made November 1 All Saints' Day or All Hallows' (Holy) Day. This is a day to remember all of the Christians who died for their faith. October 31 was then considered All Hallow's Eve, and this word later evolved into the modern day Halloween.

Some reasons behind certain Halloween traditions:

Most of the Halloween activities participated in today can be traced back to occult symbolism. For example:

1. Dressing up in costumes: This was done so that the spirits of the dead would not recognize people. The Druids would actually sacrifice animals and sometimes humans and dress in these animal skins. Wearing these clothes, the would engage in fortune-telling

Another explanation is that today, children who dress up represent these spirits.

2. Trick-or-treating: The Druids would go from house to house on October 31 and demand specific types of food. If their demands were not met, it was believed the people and their homes would be cursed with trouble, sickness and death. Prosperity was promised to those who generously donated.

Today, when kids are offered treats by neighbors, this goes back to the time people would offer food to appease the spirits.

3. Jack-o'-lantern: This started off as a legend associated with a man of Irish origin named Jack who supposedly enjoyed playing pranks on the Devil. After his death, Jack did not go to Heaven or Hell and therefore, had to wander the earth carrying a lantern which gave him some light to see where he was going. Pumpkins that were hollowed out and had candles lighted inside did the job and they were also supposed to scare evil spirits away.

Some consider them as symbols of torches of Halloweens past.

Br. Abdullah Hakim Quick's advice on Halloween:

Abdullah Hakim Quick is an Islamic scholar and an historian featured in the video documentary Holiday Myths, which discusses the origins of Halloween and a number of other holidays and celebrations common in Western culture.

This is his advice to Muslims for Halloween.

1. Avoid it, it's a night of evil. Satan is our open enemy and we do not play with evil.

2. Trick-or-treating is really kids begging for candy. Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) disliked and discouraged begging.

3. Remember that some Satanic movements have engaged in dangerous acts, like rape and kidnapping on Halloween.

4. Despite our position regarding this holiday, we must respect the rights of those who believe it is a part of their religion or consider it to be just a little fun.

Where Does Halloween Come from? 13 Tips for Parents on How to Deal with Halloween Parent's letter to teacher Holiday Myths: Video Review [Order Video Holiday Myths] [DISCUSS: PARENT TO PARENT]

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Your Comments

CityGurl, Ontario - wrote on 11/6/2009 3:20:31 PM
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Comment: wrong, wrong, im telling u. Islam doesn't allow it, the end, YUP, No more, just don't, who thinks islam is just about having fun, huh, Its about respecting our god (allah) and truly thinking about what we are doing in this world. WE may only live up to 3 yrs./1 yr./born/15 yrs./ 30yrs./ never/ no 1 knows when we're gonna die. SO what life really is about is following islam, for who knows how long we're on this earth 2 be tested. Its true we're on this earth 4 many reasons, but most importantly 2 be tested by our great lord. which path will we choose, how will we, when will we, where will we turn, and deal with our problems. We are 2 follow the path of our good prophet (saw) who was on this earth to teach us and show us the right path. Halloween is nothing but happiness for those who get happiness from it and think of it as something just, oh , only for fun, we are only going to walk around and hold out big black trash can bags for candy. If thats the way a parent wants to make their child happy then, they must thnk it over again. It'll kill their teeth, their health, they may get stolen. My point is that really, come on, seriously, the prophet didnt go trick-or-treating nor did God (allah) say clearly in the Quran that if u want fun even if its not in Islam, Do it, Its just for fun, right, so go on ahead do whatever. Look, We don't celebrate Halloween, We haven't been, nor will we, right. We have our own religions don't we, so why won't we just stick 2 our own and celebrate our own (Muslim) Holidays. Doesn't have to be on this specific day of the year or Christmas that muslim children or any other have to, have to have fun, Try to pick another day. Bring candy, dress up, and have fun right at ur lovely home, with family, too.

Pam, Manchester - wrote on 10/27/2009 9:21:49 AM
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Comment: It is just a bit of fun for our children. They get a chance to dress up eat sweets or get little toys and enjoy frightening their parents! Family and friends get together and have fun!

Joe Mett, - wrote on 11/2/2005 11:49:21 AM
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Comment: I think it's really good and I disagree with Loretta. Now I am doing a project on what Halloween is and I think this is a really good article. If Halloween was part of the Christian religion you would like it Loreta

Loretta, - wrote on 10/31/2005 12:46:04 PM
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Comment: I am a Christian who does not practice or participate in this so called Holiday of Halloween. The Bible states that witchery is not acceptable and is destable to the Lord. I do not eat the candy that is brought into work, I rather go to the vending machine to get candy if I want it because it is a symbol of the holiday itself. I do not worship the devil, pagans, or the king of darkness because there is no one that comes before GOD. This is a time to committ sin, hatered, tricks and abuse to another in the sake of the Halloween name. I believe that any type of participation is wrong and unacceptable to the living God. If you must have a celebration for your kids, invite a few of their friends over to a Harvest Day Celebration and have games, toys and candy to them in the safety of your home.

saffiyah, ky - wrote on 10/23/2004 12:20:15 PM
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Comment: assalamu alaikum! i totally agree with this article. no matter how innocent many people claim halloween to be, clearly, we can see that it is of evil origin. how can we allow our children to indulge in such falsehood? once weve enlightened ourselves of the true meaning of halloween, we must accept and not deny the truth unless you want to follow blindly and lead our own children astray. Muslims have so many beautiful celebrations, why would me even need to add this evil festival to our calendar? It was started by satan worshippers and participating in a these are just abominable. Islam is a complete way of life and we have no need to copy or involve ourselves in the ways of satan worhippers. Muslims must be firm in holding our values. we must not allow ourselves or our children to melt in the american melting pot such that it would be difficult to differentiate between muslim and non muslim children.

, - wrote on 12/31/2003 10:34:20 PM
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Comment: Nothing is evil in and of its self. Halloween is what we as individuals living in society make of it. So as individuals we can teach our children that it is a day of evil or we can use this day to allow our children to be who they want to be. Let your daughter or son be a fairy or a super hero. Use the night to go to Chucky Cheese and have a small get together at the house. Any day that children to play dress up is a day that all adults should allow them to have because children will only be young once, they cant get their childhood back if we rob them of it.

Rudy Hernandez, USA, Florida - wrote on 10/23/2003 3:10:23 PM
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Comment: All concern First I would start by say that I am a Christian and that anyone who believes that the pope is one is very wrong and mistaken. Any one whom breaks any commandment and puts idols before God should not even be put in the same sentence as Christian which is interpreted as (Followers of Christ) Second any holiday (pagan Holiday) that encourages evil and wrong doing ("Satanic movements have engaged in dangerous acts, like rape and kidnapping") is not something that should be sugar coated and introduced as a command practice. Halloween is nothing more than an excess for Evil to be glorified and I do not celebrate or agree on this so called tradition.

Kelly, Michigan - wrote on 10/23/2003 1:13:17 PM
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Comment: First, I would like to say I am a Witch. I found this site through a search engine. Samhain is NOT the name of a Druid God of the Dead. There is no such God named Samhain. It is just the name of the Holiday. Second Druids did not believe in the Devil, and True WitchCraft originates from the Druids. The Duids were from the Celtic people of Ireland, that is true. They did not believe Witches rode on Broomsticks (they knew better). That is a myth started much later. Samhain or Halloween as it was believed back then and today by many people is when the veil between the world of the dead and the living is at it's thininst. This is a time when you honor you passed on loved ones by placing food out for them and inviting them to participate in you celebrations of the last day of the Celtic year. It is a day when you make way to bring new things into your life. The Druids did not go from house to house DEMANDING food from people. They would go from house to house asking for donations to offer to the gods to bless the household. Yes pumpkins were used to scare away evil spirits. Halloween or Samhain is not a night of evil, it is a night to honor your loved ones that have passed on.

vanessa, ontario - wrote on 10/1/2003 7:12:26 PM
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Comment: im a christian and i believe that haloween is nothing but celebrating evil spirits to arise.I believe that god is the only holy spirit who can answer all of the questions.TO THOSE WHO FEEL OFFENDED DONT BE.Im tell you th truth.I learned alot about islm and muslisms.GOD BLESS.

halalwife, america - wrote on 9/17/2003 12:30:08 PM
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Comment: salaams to all my sisters who beleive in the last day and fear ALLAH,for the sisters that think that halloween or any other day of the kufrs celebrations are ok then where is your fear of ALLAH the Prophet saaw didnt do it so what makes it ok for you are you not satisfied with what ALLAH has made halal for you WHICH OF THE FAVORS OF YOUR LORD WILL YOU DENIE !

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