Comments on: Halloween’s Strange Fruit -Ruth Nasrullah http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/ Discourses in the Intellectual Traditions, Political Situation, and Social Ethics of Muslim Life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cherine http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-51725 Cherine Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:32:59 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-51725 ASA Alexis - while I appreciate your democratic family ideals in letting children decide certain things, is it your JOB to parent them and guide them in the fundamental things of their life that will direct them in everything else. You would be allowing them to make decisions at an age where they are really not equipped to fully understand the basis or context of certain decisions. Will you also allow them to decide now whether or not they want to make their salat, go to college, do their homework, etc. - these are decisions a parent INSTILLS in their children from when they are very young. You are very young in your deen - insha'Allah as time goes on you will base your decisions on sound facts (just like you did with your hijab) not simply your feelings on a certain matter. Stay strong, sis. ASA Alexis – while I appreciate your democratic family ideals in letting children decide certain things, is it your JOB to parent them and guide them in the fundamental things of their life that will direct them in everything else.

You would be allowing them to make decisions at an age where they are really not equipped to fully understand the basis or context of certain decisions. Will you also allow them to decide now whether or not they want to make their salat, go to college, do their homework, etc. – these are decisions a parent INSTILLS in their children from when they are very young.

You are very young in your deen – insha’Allah as time goes on you will base your decisions on sound facts (just like you did with your hijab) not simply your feelings on a certain matter. Stay strong, sis.

]]> By: Maverick http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-51358 Maverick Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:11:38 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-51358 UmmH Why should all comments on this website only reflect one particular view or opinion? I didn't see what was so terrible about the comment that Miako wrote. Live and let live. UmmH

Why should all comments on this website only reflect one particular view or opinion? I didn’t see what was so terrible about the comment that Miako wrote.

Live and let live.

]]> By: Alexis http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-51357 Alexis Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:32:04 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-51357 As a new convert, My views will always be the same- I will let my children decide if they want take part and if they do , I will help them pick out a costume that doesn't depict anything satanic- my son wants to be a transformer, I will give out candy and string orange lights and pick out certain decorations- Smiley spiders and cats- and spider webs, as for me- i have to halloween parties to go to- one at my sons school and help with things at my university- always keeping allah in my heart- i have had issues with other about my wearing hijab- snickering and making jokes- sometimes even faces! but I just smile at them and keep walking. as for thanksgiving, it is a part of my heritage- being a native american. christmas is just retail stuff and as for the whole Jesus birthday- i personally don't agree that the exact date was december 23 As a new convert, My views will always be the same- I will let my children decide if they want take part and if they do , I will help them pick out a costume that doesn’t depict anything satanic- my son wants to be a transformer, I will give out candy and string orange lights and pick out certain decorations- Smiley spiders and cats- and spider webs, as for me- i have to halloween parties to go to- one at my sons school and help with things at my university- always keeping allah in my heart- i have had issues with other about my wearing hijab- snickering and making jokes- sometimes even faces! but I just smile at them and keep walking. as for thanksgiving, it is a part of my heritage- being a native american. christmas is just retail stuff and as for the whole Jesus birthday- i personally don’t agree that the exact date was december 23

]]> By: UmmH http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30205 UmmH Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:30:09 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30205 Salamalaikum, Are there no moderators here? Why is Miako's comment regarding fundamental Christians not deleted? Salamalaikum,

Are there no moderators here? Why is Miako’s comment regarding fundamental Christians not deleted?

]]> By: Zahra http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30061 Zahra Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:44:36 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30061 In addition to morbidity one might consider the outright sexism and commodification of women that is perpetuated far more than usual on Halloween as food for thought. Some interesting information on people of faith and Halloween (historice details and all) by Irtiza Hasan can be found here: http://muslamics.blogspot.com/2008/10/people-of-faith-halloween.html In addition to morbidity one might consider the outright sexism and commodification of women that is perpetuated far more than usual on Halloween as food for thought.

Some interesting information on people of faith and Halloween (historice details and all) by Irtiza Hasan can be found here: http://muslamics.blogspot.com/2008/10/people-of-faith-halloween.html

]]> By: Suhail http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30053 Suhail Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:56:14 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30053 Jazakallah Khair brother Ibn Abee Omar. That is what i am trying to say. We need to understand the concept of Al wala al bara. You cant take one thing from Islam and then reject the other things. Celebrating Pagan festivals is not allowed in Islam. As muslims we work with non muslims in everything that is good and we stay away from the things that angers Allah and is against what Islam stands for. It is as simple as that. It is not rocket science. Jazakallah Khair brother Ibn Abee Omar. That is what i am trying to say. We need to understand the concept of Al wala al bara. You cant take one thing from Islam and then reject the other things. Celebrating Pagan festivals is not allowed in Islam. As muslims we work with non muslims in everything that is good and we stay away from the things that angers Allah and is against what Islam stands for. It is as simple as that. It is not rocket science.

]]> By: ibnabeeomar http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30044 ibnabeeomar Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:39:42 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30044 <blockquote>Personally going into this society as a youth with all the fitnahs, whether in school, universities or work is the biggest horror for a child or person than to worry about a trick or treat day where they wear masks and collect candy.</blockquote> actually the friday khutbah i heard today specifically talked about this. this is a microcosm of a bigger issue, and that is establishing a sound muslim identity for people growing up in this society. yes, we're different. the sahabah were different, they were tortured for being different, the seerah is full of examples of people persevering through difficulties because they were 'different' and not so integrated in. but here's the questions that come up: 1) do we as parents, educate our children about what these holidays are, and why they go against our iman, which is much more precious than "a mask and some candy" 2) have we taught our children the inspirational stories of the sahabah and acquainted them with the seerah? <strong> 3) why does celebrating halloween and christmas define being part of society? why dont we integrate into society by partaking in actions that really affect society and "integrate" us like volunteering our time at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and tons of other activities that <em>are</em> of common concern to all of us in society (muslim or not)</strong> The last point to mention is that, we should be strict on these issues, but at the same time, when its time for eid, we should go all out and celebrate on those occassions, and teach our kids that *this* is our time to have fun and celebrate.

Personally going into this society as a youth with all the fitnahs, whether in school, universities or work is the biggest horror for a child or person than to worry about a trick or treat day where they wear masks and collect candy.

actually the friday khutbah i heard today specifically talked about this.

this is a microcosm of a bigger issue, and that is establishing a sound muslim identity for people growing up in this society. yes, we’re different. the sahabah were different, they were tortured for being different, the seerah is full of examples of people persevering through difficulties because they were ‘different’ and not so integrated in.

but here’s the questions that come up:

1) do we as parents, educate our children about what these holidays are, and why they go against our iman, which is much more precious than “a mask and some candy”

2) have we taught our children the inspirational stories of the sahabah and acquainted them with the seerah?

3) why does celebrating halloween and christmas define being part of society? why dont we integrate into society by partaking in actions that really affect society and “integrate” us like volunteering our time at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and tons of other activities that are of common concern to all of us in society (muslim or not)

The last point to mention is that, we should be strict on these issues, but at the same time, when its time for eid, we should go all out and celebrate on those occassions, and teach our kids that *this* is our time to have fun and celebrate.

]]> By: Suhail http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30036 Suhail Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:05:24 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30036 It is a pagan celebration. Why you even want to celebrate it? I have no idea. It is a pagan celebration. Why you even want to celebrate it? I have no idea.

]]> By: Fahad http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30035 Fahad Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:54:34 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30035 When I was a kid, to me it was a simple and a very fun holiday where I got a lot of candies and I never looked at it as being a day that would be detrimental for my upbringing as a person. Personally going into this society as a youth with all the fitnahs, whether in school, universities or work is the biggest horror for a child or person than to worry about a trick or treat day where they wear masks and collect candy. I do think the holiday does not make any sense at all obviously but it is a societys way of doing things and a child wants to have fun. If its safe, sound and something the kid will look back and said that he did, than its helpful for him when he grows up. There are other things that kids want to experiment in todays world, better this than that. However, I do agree that like the US, the holiday isn't once was. When I was a kid, to me it was a simple and a very fun holiday where I got a lot of candies and I never looked at it as being a day that would be detrimental for my upbringing as a person.

Personally going into this society as a youth with all the fitnahs, whether in school, universities or work is the biggest horror for a child or person than to worry about a trick or treat day where they wear masks and collect candy.

I do think the holiday does not make any sense at all obviously but it is a societys way of doing things and a child wants to have fun. If its safe, sound and something the kid will look back and said that he did, than its helpful for him when he grows up. There are other things that kids want to experiment in todays world, better this than that.

However, I do agree that like the US, the holiday isn’t once was.

]]> By: Miako http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30004 Miako Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:00:14 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2007/10/31/halloweens-strange-fruit/#comment-30004 Faiez, You give good ideas! Please don't be like those a**hole Fundie Christians, who pass out hatred tracts (talking about how the kids are going to hell, and with pictures!). I'd like it if we could celebrate a bit of everyone's holidays... maybe not to the point of making them religious, but for the experience! It's just a way to understand other people and their holidays... Faiez,

You give good ideas! Please don’t be like those a**hole Fundie Christians, who pass out hatred tracts (talking about how the kids are going to hell, and with pictures!).

I’d like it if we could celebrate a bit of everyone’s holidays… maybe not to the point of making them religious, but for the experience! It’s just a way to understand other people and their holidays…

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