Halloween and Our Kids: What Muslim Parents Need to Know
Can Muslims celebrate Halloween? Learn the Islamic perspective on Halloween and discover practical tips for raising confident Muslim children who take pride in their faith.
Can Muslims celebrate Halloween? Learn the Islamic perspective on Halloween and discover practical tips for raising confident Muslim children who take pride in their faith.
In a world of growing distractions and competing values, nurturing a child’s inner world — their qalb (heart), iman (faith), and akhlaq (character) — is no longer optional, it's essential. At the core of this nurturing is the process of Tazkiyah.
What is Tazkiyah — and Why Start Early?
Tazkiyah refers to the purification of the soul — a central goal of Islamic upbringing. It’s the process of removing spiritual diseases like arrogance, jealousy, heedlessness, and cultivating virtues such as sincerity, patience, gratitude, and love for Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah swears by the success of the one who purifies their soul (Qur'an 91:9–10).
Our beloved Prophet PBUH said:
“There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” - Sahih Bukhari
Dhul Hijjah has begun and with it, an opportunity to renew our intentions, deepen our ibadah, and reconnect with Allah SWT.
Today is Jumu’ah, a day already filled with blessings. But when Jumu’ah falls within the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the rewards are unmatched.
Rajab, known as ‘Rajab al-Fard’ or ‘Rajab the Separate One’, is distinctly revered among the sacred months. Its sanctity was ordained by Allah to safeguard the safety of pilgrims during ’Umrah, the minor pilgrimage.
The significance of our deeds amplifies during these four sacred months and Rajab is no different. Allah's commandment to "not wrong yourselves during them" (Q9:36) underlines the severity of transgressions during these times.
As Muslims, empathy is one of the soft skills our religion places emphasis on. In an Al Bukhari hadith, the Prophet SAW said:
“None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.”
The hadith tells us the importance of being able to put ourselves in others' shoes. Teaching children to be empathetic nurtures their compassion and understanding toward others.
From a young age, when children learn to turn to Allah for their smallest desires to their biggest fears, they develop a strong sense of reliance on their Creator. This reliance is empowering—it teaches children that no problem is too big or too small for Allah, reinforcing their confidence and trust in His divine will.
Can I celebrate Halloween? Should I allow my kids to dress up in Halloween costumes? Is this permissible in Islam? These are some of the common questions most striving Muslims ask around this time of the year. Understanding the origin of Halloween is important in answering these questions.
Parenting is undoubtedly a challenging endeavor, and children don't come with instruction manuals. As Muslims, we face various challenges in today's world, but we have a timeless guide in the life of the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). His...