One the tragedies of our times is found in the easy willingness some Muslims accept practices, rituals or cultural symbols that have their roots in demonic or occult practices. Halloween is a perfect example. Most scholars trace the origins of Halloween to the then pagan Celtic people who believed that on a certain night, the dead would come alive and could walk among the living. On this night some of these people would dress up in ghoulish costumes believing that the spirits of the dead would mistake them for one of their own and not harass them. Others would offer these "spirits" sweets in order to earn their good favor. This is the origin of the Halloween costumes and the gifts of candy.
As for the hollowed-out pumpkin with the candle inside -the Jack-O-Lantern- the candle symbolizes a soul trapped in Purgatory, a state between Heaven and Hell. Some say the lantern is to ward off evil spirits. The darkness surrounding these practices is compounded by the representations and symbols rooted in the world of the occult and demons, such as witches, werewolves, vampires, etc.
As for the hollowed-out pumpkin with the candle inside -the Jack-O-Lantern- the candle symbolizes a soul trapped in Purgatory, a state between Heaven and Hell. Some say the lantern is to ward off evil spirits. The darkness surrounding these practices is compounded by the representations and symbols rooted in the world of the occult and demons, such as witches, werewolves, vampires, etc.
