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Halloween: A Pagan Festival or a Harmless Fun?
The History and Meaning of Halloween from an Islamic Perspective
Halloween is a popular and widely celebrated holiday in many parts of the world. Every year on October 31, millions of people dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins, go trick-or-treating, watch horror movies, and enjoy spooky festivities. But where did this tradition come from? And what does Islam say about it? In this article, I will explore the history and meaning of Halloween, and the Islamic ruling on celebrating it.
The History of Halloween
Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), which was held on November 1 in the contemporary calendar. The Celts were a group of people who lived in Europe more than 2,000 years ago, mainly in the areas that are now Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and France. They had a rich and complex culture, with their own language, religion, art, and mythology.
Samhain was one of the most important festivals for the Celts, as it marked the end of the summer and the harvest season, and the beginning of the dark and cold winter. The Celts believed that this transition was a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was thin, and that the spirits of their ancestors and other…
