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Fatwa CenterPractice of 'Higala' in Gulf countries
Question
I was wondering if it is acceptable to participate in the annual celebration called "higala" or "Karaango" which is celebrated in many Gulf countries. This celebration is held on the same day during Sha'baan each year before Ramadhaan. Children receive bags of candy, dress nicely, and women hold "higala" get-togethers for the children at their homes. Is this Haraam or not? It sounds like it is to me!
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
This innovated festival is held in the month of Ramadan and not in Sha'baan as the questioner mentioned. Anyway, it is not permissible to celebrate this day or participate in it in any way whether it is held in Ramadan, Sha'baan or any other month. It is forbidden to celebrate it because it has no foundation in Islam, therefore it is an innovated matter and one has to warn others about it. The Prophet 
said: "Whoever introduces into this faith of ours (Islam) something which is not a part of it, it will be rejected." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] In another narration: "Whoever performs an act which is not n accordance with our faith it will be rejected."
It is not reported that the Prophet or his companions 
used to celebrate any particular day, as Muslims do not have any celebrations other than 'Eed Al-Fitr, 'Eed Al-Adhaa and Fridays. Celebrating any other day is an innovation. Moreover, this day 'Higala' contains another prohibition, according to what is being said in the countries of the Gulf, that children go to houses asking for sweets and money. This practice is nurturing children to become beggars, while it is an obligation to raise them to be kind, perform righteous acts, avoid begging and to follow the Sunnah, rather than to educate them to be shameless and impudent.
Allaah knows best.
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