Where Does Halloween Come from? Is it Haram or Halal ?
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 Allah).
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 1st 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.
Advice to Muslims for Halloween:
1. Avoid it, it's a night of evil. Shaytan (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 Satanic movements have engaged in dangerous acts, like rape and kidnapping on Halloween.
Dealing with Halloween: 13 tips for parents
So your kids have come home and begged you to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night (October 31). They can't wait for all of the bubble gum, lollipops and jawbreakers, not to mention dressing up in a Pokemon or witch costume like the rest of their friends.
You watch all of this in dismay. Knowing that Halloween is about Shirk (making partners with Allah) and Shaytan (see video review of Holiday Myths) you want to put your foot down once and for all and not let the kids go out that evening.
These are their tips about how you can deal with the Halloween hoopla:
Tip #1: Find out exactly what Halloween is
Too often, parents themselves are in the dark about the background of 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 kids involved.
In fact, any parent who is trying to raise his or her child as a God-conscious individual will object to the celebration of the occasion. Just spend an hour at the library looking it up in the encyclopedia. To get an Islamic perspective, check out a review of Holiday Myths.
If you discuss it with your kids using correct information, and they sense that you know what you are talking about, they may even agree with you about not participating in the ritual.
Tip #2: Talk to them 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 (see our unTV guide) will soon begin.
So the atmosphere is right to sit Aisha or Ali down to have a talk about Halloween. Talking to them now as opposed to on the morning of October 31 will give them some time to think about it too, and get used to the concept of not having to go trick-or-treating just because their friends are.
Tip #3: Rationally explain that we have our own celebrations
Talking about Halloween in the context of a fiery speech about how "these non-Muslims are so evil" will not help Aisha or Ali see why they should not participate.
Your histrionics will only blind them to reality. Instead, explain that every group or culture has its own celebrations, and we, as Muslims have our own. Halloween is a pagan celebration. But when Eid comes, that is our celebration.
Do not condemn those who celebrate Halloween. Rather, explain what it is calmly, point out its dangers, and let your kids think about it.
Tip #4: 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.
Tip #5: Explain that every one of our occasions has a meaning
Remind your kids that for Muslims, our holidays always have a good, positive meaning.
For example, at Eid-ul-Fitr, we celebrate our joy of fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan, which is a time we strive to get closer to Allah and be better Muslims.
Halloween, on the other hand, is celebrated partly as a reminder of Shaytan, who is evil, and from whom everyone should avoid and seek refuge in Allah from.
Tip #6: Emphasize that there is nothing wrong with being different
This is crucial because there will be other occasions later on in their lives when Muslim children must not participate in school activities (for example, the Prom.
This does not mean permanent exclusion from all school and/or peer activities, but it means that as Muslims, they can take what is good, but they also have to learn to reject what is bad in a wise manner.
Tip #7: Meet your child's teacher to discuss it
Arrange a meeting to discuss Halloween and celebrations or activities you, as a Muslim would not want your child to be involved in. But also talk about what kinds of activities you would recommend or approve of, and discuss Muslim celebrations.
Volunteer to come in during Ramadan, for example, to present and bring food for the kids during a talk about what is the month's significance for Muslims. For more tips see 17 Tips for Parents to Present Ramadan in your Child's Class
Tip #8: Don't send them to school the day of Halloween if there's a party
If the teacher has scheduled a class Halloween party, simply don't send Ali or Aisha to school that day.
However, before you do this, you should write a short letter or note to the teacher and/or principal explaining why your son or daughter will not be attending school that day.
Tip # 9: Take them to a Muslim friend's house on Halloween
Don't make this a special occasion. If you regularly meet with other Muslim families and your children are friends with their children, visit them or invite them over just to play or hang out. This can take their minds off the Halloween hysteria happening outside.
Tip #10: Take them out for a doughnut
Or anything else Halal, just so you are not home when trick-or-treaters come knocking, which will reinforce the Halloween hysteria.
Tip #11: Turn off the lights, close the windows and educate your neighbors
Turning off the lights will give the message this home isn't really interested in Halloween. Closing the windows may be necessary, since throwing eggs at someone's home who hasn't given candy is not uncommon on Halloween.
Educate your neighbors about Halloween by posting a brief polite note about why you are not celebrating the occasion. Shaema Imam for example, on one Halloween, posted a decorative note on her door telling neighbors she does not support the pseudo-satanic glorification of evil as represented by Halloween. However, she said it is excellent that there is neighborhood cooperation to promote children's safety on Halloween (there were efforts in her area to ensure kids could trick-or-treat in safety).
She also expressed her support for the collection of money for Unicef, which children sometimes do when they go trick-or-treating. Imam didn't get any comments, but no one egged her house either, she says.
Tip #12: Spread the word: two to three weeks in advance, organize a seminar
This would be for Muslim moms, dads and their young kids. There should be a presentation on what exactly Halloween is and what Muslim parents can do about it.
While t
— مع Muna Abdi Mire و 14 آخرين.
![صورة: The Name Jesus did not existed before 500 years ago because the letter "J" did not exist before that .. the Messiah name in hebrew is [יְהוֹשֻׁעַ] or Yĕhôshúa which is the same name of Joshua (Hebrew: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yĕhôshúa) like the successor of Moses Joshua son of Nun.
Encyclopedia Britannica (15th ed.) "Jesus Christ .. The same is true of the name Jesus. In the Septuagint it is the customary Greek form for the common Hebrew name Joshua;" (Vol. 10 p.149)
The name Jesus does not in anyway resemble the "Literal" translation into English of the original name in Hebrew.
So Why does Christians calls Joshua son of Nun as Joshua and calls the son of Mary as Jesus ??
Jesus (Iesous in greek) actually means - "Hail Zeus!"
"Ie" translates as "Hail" and "sous" or "sus" translates as Zeus.
who was a pagan god worshipped in the Roman empire.
let's see what the Christian scholars themselves say:
"It is known that the Greek name endings with sus, seus, and sous
were attached by the Greeks to names and geographical areas as means to give honour to their supreme deity, Zeus."
[Dictionary of Christian Lore and Legend - Professor J.C.J. Metford]
"In the 1611 KJ New Testament the name Yahshua (Yehoshua) appeared originally wherever the Messiah was spoken of. Yehoshua means Yehovah's (Jehovah's) Salvation. Later the
Messiah's name was replaced with Iesus (Greek) which later in the 1600's it became Jesus starting with the new English letter "J" which was introduced at that time. Further, the Greek "Iesus"
comes from the name Zeus, the ruling God in the Greek pantheon."
[Gospel of The Kingdom True Names and Title Dr. Henry Clifford Kinley -1931 - Ohio USA]
"This name of the true Messiah, Jahshuwah (Jehoshua), being Hebrew, was objectionable to the Greeks and Romans, who hated the Judeans (Jews), and so it was deleted from the records,
and a new name inserted. Jahshuwah (Jehoshua) was thus replaced by Ie-Sous (hail Zeus), now known to us as Jesus."
[The Origin of Christianity - by A.B. Traina]
The Messiah name was corrupted by the early pagan Romans in order to make his name look more Graeco - Roman rather than "Jewish".
After the Apostles and the early real followers of the Messiah had been removed from the scene - Rome took over the Christian "Pauline" Faith and mixed it with it's own Graeco-Roman heritage and Flavour.
Zeus was one of the most popular gods at that time. And conjecture has it that perhaps the Messiah name was changed -as most of the fabricated Christian theology- to please the pagans who were reluctant to accept the new Faith - of the Roman Emperor.
even the word Christ, has no equivalent in Hebrew to the Christian meaning of Christ, the Hebrew word for messiah (a general term referring to any king or ancient priest), is משיח, pronounced mah-SHEE-ahkh.
Messiah has the same origin as the word Christ (anointed one) but in English, the connotations are very different. A messiah can be any political Jewish leader, whereas the Church made the word Christ to refer to one specific person.
In English the Greek word Christ has also become synonymous with "savior", whereas the Hebrew word messiah (mashiakh) still only refers to the ancient idea of an earthly king or priest.](https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/p480x480/1381387_740426492638686_105698237_n.jpg)
![صورة: Islam in China
(part one)
One night T'ai Tsung, the emperor of China, had a dream.
"I dreamed of a turbaned man and of monsters ... The man in the turban, with his hands clasped and murmuring prayers, pursued the monsters... To look on, he [had] indeed a strange countenance, totally unlike ordinary men; his face was the color of black gold... his moustache and beard were cut... short and even; he had phoenix eyebrows, and high nose and black eyes. His clothes were white and powdered, a jeweled girdle of jade encircled his loins, on his head was... a cloth turban like a coiled dragon. His presence was awe-inspiring... When he entered he knelt towards the West, reading the book he held in his hand. When the monsters saw him they were at once changed into... proper forms, and in distressful voices pleaded for forgiveness. But the turbaned man read on for a little, till the monsters turned to blood and at last to dust, and at the sound of a voice the turbaned man disappeared."
The emperor summoned the Interpreter of Dreams, who explained that the man in the dream was a Muslim from the West - from Arabia where a great sage had been granted a revelation from God in the form of a book.
As for the monsters, they were symbols of evil influences at work in the world - which only the Muslims could destroy.
At that, a prince at the court spoke up and said:"I have heard well of these Muslims. They are straightforward and true, gracious and loyal. Throw open the pass, let communications be unhindered... and by so doing encourage peace. I beseech you to issue a decree and to send an ambassador across the western frontiers to the... Muslims, asking him to send a sage to deal with the evils that threaten, that the country may be at peace!"
So runs a legend among the Hui, the largest group of Chinese Muslims. It has been known at least since the 17th century, is probably much older and, like all legends, contains a kernel of truth.
For the Hui Muslims, the legend also links their origins with China's greatest emperor: T'ai Tsung, second ruler of the T'ang Dynasty and the man who united north and south China and established governmental institutions that were to last for the next 1,000 years.
Born in the year 600, T'ai Tsung came to the throne in 626 - four years after Muhammad and his followers left Makkah (Mecca) for Medina in far-off Arabia. About the same time the Turkic tribes of nomads in Central Asia were gathering outside the Great Wall of China for a massive incursion into the "Celestial Empire." T'ai Tsung, however, drove them back beyond the Great Wall and in so doing initiated a series of westward migrations - as one Turkic tribe displaced another. These were the tribes whose descendants make up the Turkic-speaking Muslim communities of China, as opposed to the Chinese-speaking Hui of the south and center.
While T'ai Tsung was defending and unifying China, Muhammad was laying the foundations for the Islamic state that would come into being after his death in 632. T'ai Tsung in his capital of Ch'ang-an (Xian) could never have dreamed that he and the dynasty he was consolidating would be affected by events in a small commercial town half a world away. Yet it was not long before the results of the Muslim conquests made themselves felt in Ch'ang-an: about 638 Shah Yazdegerd, of the Sassanids - who then ruled much of what is today's Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan - appealed for help against the new, but rapidly spreading force: the Muslims.
to be continued Insha'allah ...](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/p480x480/543880_740910495923619_1685652031_n.jpg)
![صورة: the God of Jesus
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, ⇛My God, ⇛my God , why hast thou forsaken me?" [Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34]
"Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father ; and to ⇛my God , and your God ." [John 20:17]
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of ⇛my God , and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of ⇛my God , and the name of the city of ⇛my God , which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from ⇛my God ." [Revelation 3:12]
No one can be the supreme God and have a God at the same time](https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/p480x480/554990_741271969220805_1969469996_n.jpg)
![صورة: Don’t swear by anyone except by Allah ...
Read then tag and share :)
In shariah it’s well known, that it’s prohibited to swear by anyone or anything except Allah.
Swearing on ANYTHING, OR ANYONE other than Allaah, is an extremely serious matter and is considered SHIRK, even if the person swearing is telling the truth.
Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger(sallalahu alaihi wa ala alihi wa sallam) said: ”Whoever swears by other than Allah has disbelieved or committed Shirk.” [At-Tirmidhi graded this Hadith as Hasan (fair) and Al-Hakim has graded it Sahih (sound)].
Yet, it is very common in our daily lives that we see and hear people swearing by a vast multitude of things. Some people swear by the Prophet (peace be upon Him), Ali (RA), or some other righteous person, or even the Ka'aba or the angels.Sometimes they swear by their honesty or honor, such as in the Scouts' promise they say: "I promise by my honor…"
Also we see people, especially from the Indo-Pak subcontinent swearing by "the life of their child" or "their aged mother" or "their dead mother's grave" or their "sister's honor", etc. (being greatly influenced by the Indian Film Industry)!
Subhaan Allaah!
Sheikh ibn Jibreen says:
"….swearing by something implies veneration of it, and a created being cannot venerate another created being. This applies to swearing by the Prophets, angels, righteous people and all other created beings. And the Prophet (pbuh) said: "Whoever swears an oath, let him swear by Allaah or else remain silent." (Bukhaari, Muslim, others)
As far as the oaths that Allaah swears by in the Quraan are concerned, "…..these are oaths sworn by Allaah, and Allaah has the right to swear oaths by whatever He wills, but the created being can swear only be his Lord, may he be exalted."
(From al-Lu'lu' al-Makeen min Fataawaa ibn Jibreen)
So we have to really beware of this serious issue and not swear by anything except Allaah alone..
Actually, it is recommended in the Sharee'ah to be cautious about swearing oaths, and not to swear except when essential.
"And protect your oaths (i.e. do not swear much)"[al-Maa'idah:89]
And if someone LIES when he is swearing, then this is even worse and a major sin.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Of the major sins are: Associating anything in worship with Allah, disobedience to the parents, killing without justification and taking a false oath (intentionally).''[Al-Bukhari].
please don't forget to tag and share..
@](https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/p480x480/1383096_640006002716785_2125101827_n.jpg)