Is Bonfire Night Haram?

The scholarly views in more detail

Scholars who have written about Bonfire Night in Britain generally take one of two positions.

Permissible as a national custom. Many hold that Bonfire Night is a cultural event, not a religious one. It marks a historical event, it has no act of worship attached to it, and watching fireworks with family or neighbours is simply joining in with local life. On this view, the usual rules apply: no alcohol, no wastefulness, and nothing that harms others.

Better avoided. Others point to its origins. The night began as a celebration of the failed plot of 1605, with sectarian overtones, and the tradition of burning a "guy" effigy comes from that history. They advise Muslims not to adopt it as a celebration of their own, even if watching a public display is not sinful in itself.

Both groups agree on a few points:

• No alcohol. Avoid events that centre on drinking.
• No harm or nuisance. Late-night fireworks that frighten animals, upset elderly neighbours or put people at risk go against the Islamic principle of not causing harm.
• Not wasting money. Spending large sums on fireworks can fall under israf (wastefulness).

Fireworks at Eid and other times

Some families wonder whether fireworks are allowed at all. Fireworks themselves aren't forbidden, and many Muslim communities use them at Eid and weddings. The same conditions apply: safety, consideration for neighbours, and avoiding waste. In the UK, fireworks can only be set off at certain times of night, with later limits allowed on Bonfire Night, New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year.

If you go to a display

1. Choose an organised public display: it's safer and cheaper than buying your own fireworks.
2. Check the food. Hot dogs and burgers at displays are usually not halal, and marshmallows usually contain gelatine. See our marshmallows guide.
3. Take care with young children and pets around fireworks.

More questions

Can Muslims celebrate Guy Fawkes Night?

Scholars differ. Many see watching fireworks as a harmless national custom, as long as there's no alcohol, waste or harm. Others advise against adopting it as a celebration because of its origins.

Is watching fireworks haram?

Watching fireworks isn't haram in itself. Scholars caution against wastefulness, causing harm or nuisance, and events centred on alcohol.

Is burning a guy on a bonfire allowed?

Many scholars advise avoiding the effigy-burning part of the tradition because of its sectarian history. Watching a display without it raises fewer concerns.