Why Muslims Don't Celebrate Halloween

Muslims are allowed to celebrate any holiday that does not contradict their own religious beliefs or that does not involve shirk (associating partners with God). One of the holidays that Muslims are restricted from celebrating is Halloween. Halloween involves Pagan beliefs and rituals which clash with and are not permissible in Islam, so there is a consensus that it is not be celebrated. The controversy lies in the origins of Halloween stemming from Samhain, an ancient Celtic ritual that marked the end of harvest season, when it was believed the separation between living and dead souls was at its thinnest. People would put on costumes, light fires, and offer sacrifices to ward off evil spirits. Many people in the US celebrate this holiday with fervor, spending hundreds on costumes, candy, and decorations, without realizing how deeply religious and how deeply anti-God it's message actually is. They have made a very old ritual seem like a light and fun holiday with candy and parties. However there are many bidaat (rituals) associated with Halloween that a Muslim and other Abrahamic religions are not allowed to associate in. Because of commercialization and marketing of these rituals and acts they have been deemed socially acceptable by people without putting too much thought into what they are celebrating. The strange thing is Halloween would not be considered Halloween if there were no costumes, or scary effigies, or celebration at night. And this is exactly what proves that this is not a harmless children's holiday, but something that is still strictly trying to adhere to the rituals of Samhain itself. Many other religions also avoid celebrating Halloween for these questionable rituals which they feel lead one away from God, no matter how harmless the corporations selling products and media selling Halloween movies may try to make it seem. "Every newly-invented thing is a bid'ah (innovation), every bid'ah is a going astray, and every going astray will be in the Fire." (An Nasai)