693. Dealing With Interest

By Asma Bint Shameem

This is clear interest and dealing with interest in any way is absolutely prohibited. 

It’s one of the most *serious major sins.* 

And the ONLY sin about which Allaah says “Get ready for *WAR* with Allaah and His Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam” 

Allaah says:

"O you who believe! Fear Allaah and give up what is still due to you from Ribaa if you are (truly) believers." (al-Baqarah:278)

And then He WARNS us:

"And if you do not do it, then take a notice of WAR from Allaah and His Messenger." [al-Baqarah:279] 

And Jaabir radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam CURSED ten people: 

the one who consumes ribaa, the one who pays ribaa, the one who writes it down, the two who witness it, the one who makes it lawful, the one for whom it is made lawful...” (Saheeh Muslim)

So if someone earned interest in some way, they should:

- make sincere Taubah and never repeat their sin

-they should take out any money in an interest bearing account and put it in a *non-interest bearing account*. 

Usually “checking accounts” or “current accounts” are non interest bearing. 

Any Interest that they’ve earned should be calculated then given to the poor as charity. 

And that can be in ANY charitable cause. 

Or it can be spent on anything *that is charitable or helps others.*

*But you can NOT use that interest amount for your OWN benefit*. 

Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“With regard to the interest that the bank has given to you, do not give it back to the bank and do not consume it yourself; rather spend it on charitable causes, such as giving it to the poor, repairing public washrooms, and helping debtors who are unable to pay off their debts.” [Fataawa Islamiyyah (2/407)]

However, Allaah will not accept that charity and it will not count as a good deed from them because the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“O people, Allaah is pure and he accepts only what is pure.” (Muslim)

So even though that charity will not count, at least someone can benefit from it and it’s better than throwing it away. 

The one who receives this money is not sinful and this money is halaal for them, because it’s not their fault that this money was earned from forbidden means. 

And Allaah knows best

692. If The Couple Are Divorced, It's The Father That Is Supposed To Pay For The Children's Upbringing

By Asma Bint Shameem

If the couple are divorced, it’s the *father* that is supposed to pay for the children’s upbringing, education, accommodation etc. according to the Sharee’ah. 

The scholars said:

“Maintenance of children is a duty of the *father*, according to scholarly consensus, whether he remains married to his wife or divorces her, and whether the wife is poor or rich. 

She is not obliged to spend on the children when their father is still alive. 

The woman who has been given a revocable divorce (first or second talaaq) must be given maintenance and accommodation during the ‘iddah, but when her ‘iddah ends, if she is not pregnant, she is not entitled to that. 

In the event that custody of the children is given to a divorced woman, then the children’s maintenance must be paid by their father, and a mother who is breast-feeding may request payment for breastfeeding the child. 

Maintenance of children includes providing accommodation, food, drink, clothing and education, and everything that they need, on a reasonable basis, depending on the husband’s circumstances, because Allaah says: 

“Let the rich man spend according to his means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allaah has given him. Allaah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. 

Allaah will grant after hardship, ease”

[al-Talaaq 65:7]

This varies from one country to another and from one person to another.  

If the husband is rich, then his spending should be in accordance with his wealth, and if he is poor or of moderate means, then he should also spend in accordance with his situation. 

If both parents agree on a certain amount of money, whether it is a little or a lot, that is up to them, and in the case of dispute the one who should decide concerning that is the qaadi (judge in a sharee’ah court).”

(Islamqa Fatwaa# 89708)

And Allaah knows best.

691. Custody Of The Child

By Asma Bint Shameem

If a couple goes through divorce, or if the father dies, the mother has the right to custody of the children until they are seven years old. 

But if she remarries, she loses custody of her children. 

That’s because a woman said: 

“O Messenger of Allaah, this is my son; my womb was a vessel for him, and my breasts gave him to drink, and my lap was a protection for him. His father has divorced me and he wants to take him away from me. The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

said: 

“You have more right to him so long as you do not remarry.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood- Hasan by al-Albaani)

But if the mother also dies then there’s a difference of opinion among the scholars about who gets the custody of the child. 

Some of the ulama said that the mother’s side gets custody, meaning the mother’s mother then the mother’s sister etc

But others said that the father’s mother gets custody then the father’s sister and so on. 

The scholars said:

“The scholars differed concerning the definition of the one to whom the right to custody is passed after the mother. 

The majority were of the view that it is passed to the mother’s mother, but Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah and his student Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on them both) disagreed with them and said that it is passed to the father, but if they are both equal in terms of closeness to the child, then the relatives on the father’s side are given precedence, and the father’s mother is given precedence over the mother’s mother, and the paternal aunt is given precedence over the maternal aunt, and so on.”

(Islamqa Fatwa # 107472)

Basically the best interest of the child,  his wellbeing and safety must be considered top priority. 

Shaykh ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen said:  

“It should be noted that with regard to this matter, attention must be paid to the child above all else. If going with one of them or staying with one of them will cause harm to his religious or worldly interests, then no approval should be given to one who will not protect him or take care of his interests, because the basic purpose of custody is to protect the child from that which will harm him, and to look after his interests.”

[Al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (13/545)]

Here’s what Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan said regarding this issue:

He said:

“Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr radhi Allaahu anhumaa narrated that a woman said: 

“O Messenger of Allaah, this is my son. 

My womb was a vessel for him, my breasts were a source of drink for him, my lap was a place for him to curl up. 

Now, his father has divorced me, and he wishes to take him from me.” 

So Allaah’s Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  

said:

“You have a greater right to him, so long as you do not re-marry.” 

(Ahmad (6707), Abu Dawood (2276), Al-Haakim (2/207))

Her saying that “my womb was a vessel for him” means that it was a place of protection during her pregnancy. 

“My breasts were a source of drink for him” means that he would he would suckle her breasts just as one drinks water. 

“My lap was a place for him to curl up” means that her lap and arms were a place of comfort and sleep, and a place of sitting. 

So she explained what she had been to this young child in terms of her carrying him in her womb, breastfeeding him and nurturing him. 

Then her husband divorced her and they were separated. 

So the father desired to take the child from its divorced mother. 

So the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to her:

“You have a greater right to him” meaning over the custody of the child, “so long as you do not remarry.” 

So this hadeeth carry two issues connected to child custody (al-hadaanah):

One: That the right of custody over a young child is with the divorced mother.* 

That is because the mother will be more compassionate towards him than the father, and more aware of its needs: hygiene, cleanliness, neatness, and overall care of him. 

For this reason, the Law-Maker (Allaah) gave her the right to custody and gave her precedence over the father. 

This hadeeth proves that women are given precedence over men in the affair of child custody. 

So the one having the most right to custody is the mother, then her mother, then the maternal aunts because they carry the position of the mother. 

Thereafter, it is the womenfolk from the father’s side of the family, such as the grandmother (father’s mother), the sisters, the daughters of his brothers and the paternal aunts. 

Thereafter it is given to the male relatives if the female relative cannot be found. Meaning if women from the mother’s side cannot be found, and women from the father’s side cannot be found, then in that situation custody is given to the males – those having the closest blood ties given precedence. 

So the man gives the care of the child (baby) to a woman (of his household) who will be good to it. It could be his wife or another woman who will take care of the baby.

So this is the order of custody of a young child in Islam:

1. The women on the mother’s side of the family (beginning with mother herself).

2. Then the women on the father’s side of the family.

3. Then the men on the father’s side of the family (their wives, etc).

A man cannot look after a young child or take custody of it, but he can hand over its care to a trustworthy woman who will look after it.

Two: If the mother remarries, then she loses custody, and it passes to the next person in line.* 

That is because her main concern now is her new husband. 

She cannot busy herself with her baby to the disadvantage of her husband — *unless* her new husband *permits* that and allows her to hold on to the custody of her baby, then in that situation the right [of custody] *remains with the mother*. 

That which prevented her from keeping the baby was her duty to her new husband. 

However, if he permits her to look after a child from a previous husband, then the right of custody returns to her due to the removal of the preventative barrier (which was the concern of her new husband).”

(Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan’s explanation of Buloogh al-Maraam min Adillatil-Ahkaam) 

And Allaah knows best

690. Time For The BEGINNING And END Of Fajr Prayer

By Asma bint Shameem 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The time for Subh (Fajr) prayer lasts from the beginning of the pre-dawn so long as the sun has not yet started to rise.” (Muslim)

So the time for Fajr STARTS after the true dawn which is when the redness or whiteness of the true dawn appears and spreads horizontally upon the eastern horizon.

And LASTS until just before sunrise, that is, when the top edge of the sun begins to rise above the horizon. 

The BEST time to pray Fajr is at it’s EARLY time.

That’s what the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah used to do. 

Proof:

Jabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah Radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam used to pray Fajr when it was still dark (ghalas).”(al-Bukhaari 560 and Muslim 646)

And our Mother Aishah Radhi Allaahu anhaa said that the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam used to pray Fajr when it was still dark (ghalas) and the believing women would depart and no one would recognize them because it was so dark, or they would not recognize one another.” (al-Bukhaari 872 and Muslim 645)

The scholars said:

“The word “ghalas'' refers to the darkness at the end of the night, as it says in the dictionary, and that is the beginning of the dawn.” (Subul al-Salam)

Imaam al-Nawawi said: 

“The words “and no one would recognize them because it was so dark” refer to the fact that it was still nighttime and dark. 

Al-Dawudi said: What this means is that no one could tell if they were women or men.”  (Sharh Muslim by al-Nawawi) 

Mughهth ibn Sumay said: 

“I prayed Fajr with ‘Abd-Allah ibn al-Zubayr Radhi Allaahu anhu in the darkness at the end of the night just before daybreak, and when he said the tasleem I turned to Ibn ‘Umar and said, What is this prayer? 

He said:

“This is how we prayed with the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam and with Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. 

When ‘Umar was stabbed, ‘Uthman delayed it until there was light.” (Ibn Majah 671; Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Majah)

Ibn Qudamah said:

“With regard to Fajr prayer, it is *better* to pray when it is still dark. This is the view of Malik, al-Shafi'i and Ishaq. 

There is also evidence to this effect narrated from Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, Ibn Mas’ud, Abu Musa, Ibn al-Zubayr and ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz.” (al-Mughni 1/540)

Although it’s good to read the Fajr prayer *early* as soon as its time begins, some times it may happen that your alarm didn’t go off or you overslept, etc.

In that situation, you MAY pray it later as long as the sun hasn’t begun to rise. 

But that’s the “*emergency* time for Fajr prayer.”

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

‘If one of you catches a Sajdah from the Asr prayer before the sunsets, then he should complete his prayer.  

If one of you catches a Sajdah from the morning prayer before the sunrises then he should complete his prayer.’

(al-Bukhaari) 

So if you have enough time to make one sajdah, you can pray your Fajr and your prayer will count In Shaa’ Allaah. 

But we shouldn’t be making it a “routine” to pray so late. 

Imaan An-Nawawi said:

“This is a clear evidence that whoever caught and prayed a Rak’ah of the morning or Asr prayer, and then the prayer time finished before he gave Salam then his prayer is not null and void, rather he should complete it, and his prayer is correct.”

And Allaah knows best

689. The Greatest Reward Comes With The Greatest Trial

By Asma Bint Shameem

There’s an authentic hadeeth where the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

"The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allaah loves a people He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath." (Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)

However just because a person is going through difficulties does not necessarily mean that he is beloved to Allaah so the person gets complacent. 

Rather there are many reasons why Allaah puts a person through difficulties, and his SINS could be reason for that. 

If we’re tested with sickness, or other affliction, we should take a deep hard look at ourselves in the mirror and see...

If we’re obeying Allaah to the best of our ability and staying away from haraam, then the affliction is a test that will remove our sins and raise our ranks with the permission of Allaah. 

But if our life is full of disobedience and forbidden things, and we’re negligent of the day we will meet Allaah then most likely we’re being punished for our sins. And so we should hasten to make taubah to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala and ask for forgiveness. 

A believer does not forget his own sins and mistakes but he also ALWAYS has hope in Allaah’s Mercy. 

Someone asked Shaikh Salih Ibn Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan:

“How does a servant know if that which Allaah  has decreed to befall him is a punishment or a test and an exam from Allaah?”

Sheikh Sālih Al-Fawzaan replied: 

“He looks to himself and holds himself to account. If he has sins and evil deeds, then it is a punishment, and a warning from Allaah so that he may make tawbah.

And if it is the case that he does not have any sins — although there is nobody who is free from sins except if Allaah wills. However, if it is decreed that he has no sin, then it may be an elevation of his rank. It is possible that it is written for a person that he has a rank in Paradise that he cannot attain by way of his actions alone. So Allaah trials him with calamities, so that Allaah may by way of them elevate his station with Himself (subhānahū wa ta’ālā). 

Verily Allaah is the All-Wise and All-Knowing! He does not restrict a servant at all and he does not vengefully decree things in order to harm a person. Rather he decrees them for the benefit of the believer, forever and always.

As for the hypocrite and the disbeliever then Allaah  decrees them as a punishment upon them. 

And for this reason, Allaah said when the Incident of Uhud took place, and there occurred within the Muslims that which occurred: 

“So that Allaah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins), and destroy the disbelievers.”

This is wisdom from Allaah  Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala.

So the calamities are for the believers a purification, and for the Disbeliever they are punishment and destruction. In this there is no doubt. 

So the Muslim holds himself to account, and he knows: ‘Nothing befalls you of calamity except due to that which your own hands have earned. And [Allaah] pardons much.’”

And Allaah knows best

688. What Are The Conditions Of The Floor Where We Pray?

By Asma Bint Shameem

Just make sure there’s no obvious najaasah on the floor when you pray such as saliva, urine, feces etc. 

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said:

“If a person were to touch an impurity which is wet, then he should wash what has touched his body from it due to the contamination found therein. As for if the impurity is *dry*, then he should not wash what has touched his body from it since there is no reason for contamination. ”

(al-Muntaqa of Fataawa al-Fawzaan 48/18)

But if there’s certainty that the dog had passed urine (or feces) or dribbled his saliva in a particular place or object and it’s *wet*, then avoid that place for praying. 

As long as you pray in an area that looks clean and no Najaasah can be identified, it is permissible to pray there. 

And Allaah knows best.

687. Laser Removal

By Asma bint Shameem

Laser hair removal is allowed in and of itself. 

But it depends on *where* you’re using the laser. 

It’s not allowed to expose one’s awrah to anyone except the spouse or to a doctor for medical purposes 

The awrah that’s really important in this aspect is the area between the navel and the knees. 

So unless you use the laser yourself, or ask your husband to remove the hair for you, it is not allowed for anyone else to look at the area between the navel and the knees.

And Allaah knows best

686. Your Husband Is Your First Priority

By Asma Bint Shameem

Every one of us is supposed to honor and respect and obey our parents. 

That’s one of the very basic teachings of our Deen. 

But once a girl gets married, although her duties remain with her parents but the husband takes PRIORITY. 

So she MUST obey her husband and put his interests *before* her parents. 

Just as obeying the parents is an order of Allaah, similarly it is Allaah’s order to obey the husband. 

And that is MORE important than obeying the parents.

Allaah says:

“Therefore the righteous women are *devoutly obedient* (to Allaah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity and their husband’s property)” 

[al-Nisa 4:34]. 

Ibn Taimiyyah said:

“When a woman gets married, her husband has more authority over her than her parents, and obeying her husband is more obligatory for her.”

And if there is a conflict between obedience to one’s husband and obedience to one’s parents, then obedience to one’s husband takes *priority*. 

Imaam Ahmad said concerning a woman who has a husband and a sick mother: 

“Obeying her husband is *more obligatory* upon her than (taking care of) her mother, unless he gives her permission.” 

(Sharh Muntaha al-Iraadaat, 3/47). 

So your primary responsibility is towards your husband and kids. 

However, that doesn’t mean that you *neglect* your mother. 

A wise woman would strike a *balance* where her husband is number ONE in her life but she also uses her *wisdom* in such a way that her parents are also taken care of, respected and not neglected. 

So use your time wisely, and plan everything out. 

Do your best to help out your mother, serve her, and visit her whenever you can, perhaps when the husband and kids are not home. 

It doesn’t have to be completely this way or that way. 

With careful planning, a good combination of fulfilling *both* responsibilities can be worked out In Shaa’ Allaah. 

And Allaah knows best.

685. Waleemah

 By Asma Bint Shameem

Waleemah is the wedding feast that’s usually given by the groom, as a celebration for the blessings of marriage and to announce the wedding. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf radhi Allaahu anhu when he got married:

“May Allaah bless you. Give a waleemah even if it is with just one sheep.” 

[al-Bukhaari (5155) and Muslim (1427)]

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“It (the waleemah) is prescribed for the husband, because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf radhi Allaahu anhu: 

“Give a waleemah,” and he did not tell his in-laws to do that. 

And because the blessing is greater for the husband than for the wife, because he is the one who sought the woman; it is very rare for the woman to seek the man.“

(al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 12/321)

So it’s usually the groom that arranges for the reception. 

But if the girl’s side is also arranging a *separate* reception or *combining* with the groom’s side and giving a *joint* reception, there’s nothing wrong with that either. 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: 

“Accepting an invitation to this feast is obligatory. 

Similarly, if it is organised jointly between the husband and the woman's family, accepting the invitation to it is obligatory, because the husband is the one who is enjoined to provide the wedding feast, because the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf: “Give a wedding feast, even if it is with one sheep.” 

If the wedding feast is provided by the wife's family only, and the husband is going to offer another feast when his wife comes to join him, it is not obligatory to accept the invitation of the wife's family; rather accepting it is Sunnah.”

(Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb)

So this Fatwa clarifies that it’s permissible for the bride’s family to have a separate celebration or they may do a combined reception. 

Whatever is convenient and better for both parties can be worked out. 

The scholars said:

“From this we may note that it is permissible for the wedding feast to be organised jointly between the husband and wife, or the wife's family may organise it. Similarly, the wedding expenses may be shared as agreed between the two parties, and each of them may offer a wedding feast, as is customary in some countries. If there is some dispute as to who is obliged to provide the wedding feast, it is to be provided by the husband, as stated above. But other wedding expenses, such as having a party in a hotel and so on, should be done according to mutual agreement.”

(Islamqa Fatwa #138358)

It’s *recommended* to have the Waleemah after consummation of the marriage but there’s no hard and fast rule about that. 

Whatever’s convenient for both parties is good.

Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan said: 

“The time for giving the wedding feast flexible, starting from the time of the marriage contract until the end of the days of the wedding.”

(al-Mulakhkhas al-Fiqhi, 2/364)

Make sure the people who are invited to the Waleemah are not just the rich and elite. 

Rather it’s good to invite even your poor relatives, friends, neighbors. 

Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The worst of food is the food of a waleemah to which the rich are invited and the poor are ignored. 

Whoever does not attend has disobeyed Allaah and His Messenger.” 

(al-Bukhaari)

When giving a wedding feast, there should be no extravagance, or wasting food. 

Or involve any sin or anything un islaamic practices, like music, free mixing of the genders, women dressed inappropriately, etc. 

And Allaah knows best

684. Where Should One Stand If Only Two Men Are Praying In Jama’ah?

By Asma bint Shameem 

If there’s only two men in a Jama’ah, the Imaam and the other person should stand *RIGHT NEXT to each other*, foot to foot, shoulder to shoulder, with the second person standing to the right of the Imaam, aligned in the *SAME* line; not ahead nor behind him. 

The same applies if two women are praying. 

Proof:

Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said:

“I stayed overnight in the house of my maternal aunt Maymoonah, and the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam prayed Ishaa, then he came and prayed four rakahs, then he slept, then he got up and I came and stood on his left, but he put me on his right and prayed five rakahs, then two rakahs, then he fell asleep and I heard his snoring. Then he went out for the prayer.” 

(al-Bukhaari) 

This is further clarified by the following hadeeth:

Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I came to the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam at the end of the night and prayed behind him. 

He pulled me until I was *in line with him*, and when the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

turned back to his prayer, I went back to my original position behind him. 

The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

prayed, and when he had finished his prayer he said to me, 

“What is going on? 

*I made you stand in line with me and you moved back*”.

I said, 

“O Messenger of Allaah, is it right for anyone to pray alongside you when you are the Messenger of Allaah whom Allaah has blessed?”

(Ahmad, 1/330 ;saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 6060)

Nothing could be clearer than this hadeeth. 

Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu 

clearly states that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  made him stand *right NEXT to him*, not half a foot behind him or ahead of him. 

And when Ibn Abbaas moved back out of respect for the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam , the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  pulled him back to where he was, yet once AGAIN right NEXT to him. 

And when the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  finished his prayer, he admonished Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu for stepping back and not standing next to him.  

Shaikh al-Albaani said: 

“From this hadeeth we may understand that the Sunnah is when one man is praying alone following the Imaam, he should stand *alongside him on his right, not in front of him or behind him*.

(Manaar al-Sabeel, 1/128)

Abd-Allaah ibn Utbah ibn Masood said: 

“I entered upon Umar ibn al-Khattaab at midday and found him saying Tasbeeh (in the prayer). I stood behind him and he made me come closer until I was standing in line with him on his right.”

(Al-Muwatta)

And Allaah knows best

683. Reasons Why Muslims Do NOT Celebrate Halloween?

By Asma bint Shameem 

1. Halloween, All saints day, All hallows eve or All souls day was a festival held to honor Samhain the so called "*lord of death"*. 

2. It’s a festival with pagan and Christian roots where demons, witches, devils and magic are venerated.

3. The reason for offering candy is the pagan belief that evil dead souls come back to earth this day. 

If someone offers them “*treats*”, they leave them alone. 

Otherwise they “*trick*” them and cause all sorts of havoc in their life and may even possess them. 

4.The word jack-o-Lantern is actually an abbreviation of "Jack of the Lantern." 

Jack is supposed to be some guy who was fond of playing tricks on the devil. 

So Satan got annoyed and tossed a burning coal from hell towards Jack. 

With the coal in his "lantern" Jack was condemned to walk the earth forever searching for rest.

Now people jack-o-lanterns on their doorsteps and windows to ward off the spirits of the dead on Halloween.

Astaghfirullaah!

5. Witches and magic have nothing to do with Islaam. 

In fact practicing witchcraft is *Kufr.*

Allaah says:

“Sulayman did not disbelieve, but the shayateen (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic…”

(Surah al-Baqarah :102)

And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam  said: 

“Avoid the seven things which will lead to *doom”*

He was asked, 

“What are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” 

He said: 

“Associating anything with Allaah, *witchcraft*…” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

6. Halloween is a celebration of the *non Muslims. *

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

 ‘Whoever imitates a people is one of them.’” 

(Abu Dawood, 3512; hasan Saheeh by Al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood 3401). 

7. It is NOT the way of the Muslims. 

Allaah says describing the Believer:

‎ والذين لا يشهدون الزور

“And those who do not witness falsehood..”  

(Surah al-Furqaan 25:72)

Mujaahid and others said that falsehood (Zoor) refers to the festivals of disbelievers.

Can I at least offer them candy?

No.

It’s not permissible to even give out candy  because doing so means you are condoning and affirming this pagan shirki festival and cooperating in it. 

Allaah says:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ‎الْعِقَابِ

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but *do not help one another in sin and transgression*.

*And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment.”*

 (Surah al-Ma’edah:2)

And Allaah says:

‎مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقِيتًا

“Whosoever intercedes for a good cause will have the reward thereof, and *whosoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in its burden.*

And Allaah is Ever All-Able to do (and also an All-Witness to) everything“

(Surah an-Nisaa:85)

So what to Do?

Do NOT participate in this shirk and satanic celebration. 

Do NOT offer candy. 

Simply TURN OFF your porch light and they won’t bother you. 

Even if they do ring your doorbell, you do NOT have to answer. 

It’s YOUR house. 

NO ONE can “force” you to open the door if you don’t want to. 

EDUCATE your children about the shirk and evil involved in celebrating Halloween.

You DON’T have to find an “alternative” for your kids on Halloween. 

Simply STAY HOME. 

It’s NOT a day for ANY kind of “celebration”. 

It’s just a normal, regular day. 

Allaah HONORED you with Islaam. 

Be PROUD of your Muslim Identity. 

SHOW it with your actions. 

You do NOT have to celebrate such festivals to “fit in”.

As Shaikh Moosaa Richardson said:

“Halloween is an annual celebration of non-Muslims, honoring witches, demons, & magic. 

Educate your children & don't allow them to go out begging for candy from your neighbors in a disgraceful act of imitating the most misguided & bankrupt people. 

Take HONOR in Allaah’s Guidance.”

رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا ، وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا ، وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولً

And Allaah knows best.