The ancient Celtic (Irish/Scottish/Welsh) festival called Samhain (pronounced sah-ween or sa-en) is considered by most historians and scholars to be the predecessor of what is now Hallow'een. Samhain was the New Year's day of the pagan Celts. It was also the Day of the Dead, a time when it was believed that the souls of those who had died during the year were allowed access into the "land of the dead". In some parts of Europe, it was believed that on this night the dead walked amongst them, and that witches and warlocks flew in their midst. In preparation for this, bonfires were built to ward off these evil spirits!
Elements of this festival were incorporated into the Christian festival of All Hallow's Eve, or Hallow-Even, the night preceding All Saint's (Hallows') Day. It is the glossing of the name Hallow- Even that has given us the name of Hallow'een.
One of the customs of samhain was the practise of leaving food and drink (now candy/sweets) to masked and costumed revelers. Now known as 'trick or treat'.

To end, it is to be noted that 'Approval of kufr is kufr, and clearly, to participate in activities of kufr - such as non-Muslim festivals - is kufr.'

Indeed, in a hadith it is stated that "Whoever imitates a people is one of them.'' [Abu Dawud, Ahmad, Bukhari, also Tabarani and Bazzar]

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 31st October 2010

0 Comments