The Islamic Perspective: Why Celebrating Halloween Constitutes Major Kufr (Disbelief)

A number of classical and contemporary Islamic scholars regard participation in Halloween as kufr akbar (major disbelief). Their stance is rooted in the understanding that Halloween originated as a pagan and occult festival tied to the worship of spirits, the dead, and symbols associated with Satan.

According to this view, taking part in such celebrations—even symbolically or “for fun”—represents an act of approval toward disbelief, which conflicts with Islamic monotheism (tawḥīd) and haram. This position draws from the Qur’ānic prohibitions against shirk (associating partners with Allah), prophetic warnings against imitating non-Muslims, and established legal principles that forbid celebrating non-Islamic religious festivals.

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1. Historical and Theological Foundations

1.1 Pagan and Satanic Origins

Scholars trace Halloween back to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the transition between the world of the living and the dead. They argue that such rituals—featuring offerings to spirits, fire ceremonies, and costumes symbolizing demonic entities—constitute acts of shirk, since they involve devotion or reverence toward beings other than Allah.

Allah says in the Qur’ān (4:48):

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.”

From this, scholars conclude that any act implying association with other deities, demons, or spirits amounts to an unforgivable major sin unless one repents. Thus, even if a Muslim joins Halloween merely as entertainment, the act remains a symbolic endorsement of disbelief and is therefore impermissible.

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2. Juridical Evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah

2.1 Prohibition of Cooperation in Sin

Allah commands (Qur’ān 5:2):

“And do not cooperate in sin and transgression.”

By attending, promoting, or supporting Halloween events, a person contributes to the spread of disbelief and satanic imagery—actions that fall under ta‘āwun ‘ala al-ithm wa’l-‘udwān (cooperation in sin).

2.2 Prohibition of Imitation (Tashabbuh bil-Kuffār)

The Prophet ﷺ said (Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 4031):

“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

Imām Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H) explained in Iqtidā’ aṣ-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm:

“Participating in the festivals of the disbelievers is imitation of them, and imitation of them in their religious matters leads to satisfaction with disbelief, and satisfaction with disbelief is itself disbelief.”

Hence, joining or emulating Halloween festivities—originating as religious rituals—indicates approval of disbelief and threatens one’s faith.

2.3 Preserving Muslim Identity

In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever resembles a people, he is from among them.”

This hadith is interpreted as a command to maintain a distinct Islamic identity, avoiding symbols and customs that belong to disbelievers. Costumes depicting devils, witches, or ghosts reflect admiration for shayāṭīn (devils), directly opposing Islamic values of purity and submission to Allah.

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3. The Principle of Walā’ wal-Barā’

The concept of walā’ (loyalty) and barā’ (disavowal) forms a cornerstone of faith.

• Walā’ is loyalty and love for Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and the believers.
• Barā’ is rejection of disbelief, shirk, and Satan.

Participating in Halloween contradicts barā’, as it signifies alignment with practices that glorify Satan and the occult. Allah reminds us in Qur’ān 60:4:

“Indeed, there has been an excellent example for you in Abraham and those with him when they said to their people: ‘Indeed, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah.’”

Thus, celebrating Halloween betrays the covenant of disavowal and aligns one outwardly with disbelief.

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4. Satanic Symbols and Their Incompatibility with Tawḥīd

Halloween prominently features symbols such as devils, demons, skulls, witches, and black magic—all of which represent rebellion against Allah.

Allah warns (Qur’ān 35:6):

“Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy.”

Engaging in these themes—by costume, decoration, or ritual—symbolically honors Iblīs, the declared enemy of mankind. Some jurists argue that even symbolic participation in satanic customs signifies love or allegiance to Satan, a grave contradiction to the essence of tawḥīd.

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5. Scholarly Fatwas on Halloween

Several prominent scholars and official fatwa bodies have ruled that celebrating Halloween constitutes kufr, including:

• The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta (Saudi Arabia): “Celebrating non-Muslim festivals, including Halloween, is participation in disbelief and imitation of disbelievers, which nullifies Islamic distinctiveness.”
• Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn (رحمه الله): “Whoever celebrates the festivals of the kuffār shares in their disbelief, for he shows approval of their religion.”
• Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān: “Halloween is a satanic festival that promotes shirk, sorcery, and imitation of disbelievers; participation in it is ḥarām and may amount to kufr depending on intention.”
• Shaykh Muhammad al-Hamad (Qassim University): “Halloween is a day of glorifying devils and false gods—whoever joins in knowingly commits kufr.”

These rulings are based on the consensus (ijmāʿ) of earlier jurists prohibiting participation in non-Islamic religious festivals, with Halloween classified as such due to its pagan and occult origins.

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6. Logical and Juristic Summary

According to this scholarly opinion:

1. Halloween began as a pagan act of worship (shirk).
2. Participating in or promoting it signifies approval of shirk.
3. Approving shirk constitutes kufr by consensus.
4. Therefore, taking part in Halloween—even jokingly—contradicts the shahādah (“Lā ilāha illā Allāh”).

Ruling: Major kufr (kufr akbar).
Reason: It implies allegiance to disbelief and imitation of satanic or pagan rituals.
Evidence: Qur’an (4:48, 5:2, 35:6, 60:4), Hadith (Abu Dawud 4031, Muslim), and statements of Ibn Taymiyyah and other jurists.
Consequence: A Muslim who knowingly celebrates Halloween, believing it permissible or expressing approval of its origins, commits an act of disbelief and must repent and renew faith.

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7. Conclusion

The ruling that Halloween constitutes major disbelief arises from a strict adherence to tawḥīd, the prophetic prohibition of imitating non-Muslims, and the duty to reject Satanic and pagan practices.

For scholars holding this position, Halloween is not a harmless cultural event but a remnant of satanic and pagan worship fundamentally opposed to Islam. Thus, celebrating, promoting, or approving of Halloween is seen as an act of disbelief in Allah, unless followed by sincere repentance and a return to pure monotheism.