Can Children Play in Superhero Costumes?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

Is it permissible for children to play using costumes? 

I don’t mean for Halloween, but just a regular day in the year with their favorite TV show superheroes. The costumes I’m mentioning have a shirt and a mask.

Answer

Thank you for your question.

Wearing costumes

Since you are asking out of the context of Halloween, I cannot tell you that it is unlawful for your child to put on such a superhero costume. However, I can say that as a Muslim, we need to contemplate our actions, and put meaning behind everything we do, instead of grabbing what looks like fun at the store because it’s on sale or any other reason.

The Effect of Wearing Costumes

What is the concept of wearing a costume rooted in? Is it rooted in television shows? Is it rooted in imitating a non-Muslim character?

Is it rooted in pretending to be something that is not beloved to Allah? I am afraid that all the answers to those questions are yes. Believe it or not, but this affects children and these things are not worth being in your children’s minds.

As such, a Muslim parent should try to put Islamic culture and the pleasure of Allah above the cultural practices of non-Muslim children. Muslims have always been different from the average consumer and they should color all of their choices with instilling a strong Muslim identity in children.

Clothing has always been an important discussion with Muslim scholars as clothing is a blessing and has always carried meaning in Islamic societies, and it affects one’s relationship with Allah.

Use Your Imagination

I know that children need to have fun and they love role-playing. I have seen countless children dress up in their father’s robes, tie a belt around their waist, stick a sword in the belt, wrap a turban on their heads and pretend to be sahabi at the Battle of Badr.

I have seen girls dress up in white dresses and pretend to be brides or even hijabs and long dresses pretending to be mothers with little babies. These are real-life Muslim characters and they are rooted in attaining the pleasure of Allah. These are more worthy of your children’s’ attention.

So please think twice before purchasing a costume with empty meaning that gives the child nothing to aspire to. May Allah reward you, bless your family and give you all the best of this world and the next.

The Proprieties of Clothing and Dress

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad 
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied Aqidah, Fiqh, Tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied Fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.