UAE Fatwa Council say Hag Al-Leila celebrations 'permissible', after 'Halloween' comparisons

The UAE Fatwa Council has said it is permissible for Muslims to celebrate the Emirati tradition of Hag Al-Leila in accordance with Sharia Law.

Hag al-Leila is the Emirati celebration of the middle of Sha'ban, the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims generally believe the 15th night - between the 14th and the 15th days of the month - is a virtuous occasion in which their creator will bestow forgiveness upon them.

As the Islamic calendar follows the moon, the date of the month's mid-point changes in the Gregorian calendar each year. Hag al-Leila was celebrated by some in the UAE on Monday, however, other reports indicate that others believe the 15th night falls on Tuesday.

There is debate as to whether it is permissible in Islam to celebrate the evening, with many likening it to western celebrations of Halloween, as children across the UAE wear traditional clothing, carry colourful bags, and sing on their neighbours' doorsteps in return for sweets. Emirati clerics have now clarified that this does not go against Islamic law.

Hag El Leila - an authentic Emirati cultural celebration where kids go house to house asking sweets and giveaways 🍫🧸 🍭🍬 #حق_الليلة height of cuteness 🥰 pic.twitter.com/LH9mq8FlpZ

— حسن سجواني 🇦🇪 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) March 7, 2023

"There is no shame in Sharia law for children to celebrate this night, just as there is nothing wrong with giving them gifts including sweets and other things to make them happy," the council said. It said that it is permissible to celebrate the evening so long as nothing is done that is prohibited in Sharia law.

Some homes hand over as much as 10kg of sweets during the celebration, according to The National, a sign of the huge popularity of the festival.

Supermarkets also sell special Haq Al-Leila packaged sweets, according to the news outlet.

The month of Sha'ban is "precious" for Muslims, many of whom view it as an opportunity to prepare for a month of fasting that follows with Ramadan.

"It has been narrated that on 15th Shaban in particular, Allah (SWT) raises the deeds of his servants. Therefore, it is a revered day for many Muslims, who are encouraged to perform extra acts of sincere worship," Islamic relief say.