What a week! Water everywhere! The roads resembled lakes and ponds. The weather all around the globe has been nothing short of bizarre; scary and most concerning. The Earth is speaking, no, shouting!

We need to take heed now to heal our Earth. We know what to do and how to do it, so let’s get to earnestly doing the right thing to help ourselves and future generations.

It is imperative that we take heed for our own good and survival. These natural catastrophes are occurring more often and with far more intensity. Action is required immediately and we all can take part, we are all responsible to heal our Earth.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The world is beautiful and verdant, and verily God, the exalted, has made you His stewards in it, and He sees how you acquit yourselves.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Allah (swt) says in His noble Koran “The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk gently upon the Earth …” (25:63)

We are duty bound to save our Earth.

On another note, as a lead-up to a few upcoming winter events, which in my opinion, spearheads the commercial gains of frenzy spending, is Hallowe’en.

What is so intriguing about ghosts, witches, graveyards, pumpkins with sinister looking eyes and smiles? The idea of the dead roaming about is quite harrowing and this is what Hallowe’en promotes.

Hallowe’en in fact celebrates all things supernatural and quite frankly evil. What purpose does Hallowe'en serve with the likes of children begging for candy from strangers.

How ironic, since we teach our children that too much candy and sweets is bad for them, yet Hallowe'en comes along and they are given a carte blanche of candy galore!

Did you know? One quarter of all the candy sold annually in the US is purchased for Hallowe’en. I suspect the same goes for candy sales in Bermuda too.

I find this astounding and representative of hypocrisy at it’s height. Little wonder that our children don’t listen to us and don’t give any credence to what the adults have to say; we lead them into confusion!

Not only the candy aspect is concerning, but also the fact that Hallowe’en is steeped in paganism. It’s origins are not reputable. Research it, if you wish.

Some argue that Hallowe’en celebrations are done in the name of having “fun”? I don’t consider skeletons, witches, ghouls and the dead roaming around as fun.

Religions do not, or should not support Hallowe'en on the basis that the Scriptures advise against participating in activities that include witchcraft, the occult, the worship of idols and the heralding of the dead. Nothing is appealing about that; most would not want to be associated with such.

In 2009, there was an article published in The Telegraph, a British newspaper, were the Pope said the following regarding Hallowe’en: “The Holy See has warned that parents should not allow their children to dress up as ghosts and ghouls on Hallowe'en, calling Hallowe’en a pagan celebration of ‘terror, fear and death’.”

Islam advises us to refrain from participating in pagan celebrations, hence most Muslims would not engage in Hallowe’en celebrations. However, as there is no compulsion in Islam, people make their own decisions and choices, but most Muslims do not participate in such celebrations.

As for me and my house, we won’t be celebrating Hallowe’en in any way, shape or form. Allah the most Exalted says in the Noble Koran about paganism: “And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.” (25:72)

This means that not only do the believers shun falsehood but are above everything that is vain or futile. We pray that Allah grants us the wisdom and knowledge to live among our community with mutual respect, understanding and harmony without becoming a part of what is controversial to us.

As Muslims we are encouraged by the guidance of Allah to enjoin what is right and to forbid what is wrong as is depicted in the Koran, 9:112.

“It is the believers who repent, who are devoted to worship, who praise their Lord, who fast, who bow down and prostrate themselves, who encourage good and forbid evil, and who observe the limits set by Allah. And give good news to the believers.”

Bermuda, in our endeavour to enjoin what’s right and forbid what’s wrong let us continue to remember the many millions of people around the world who are suffering unimaginable atrocities of war, natural disasters and the like. Let’s do what we can, let our voices be heard and our prayers continue for relief from their sufferings.

Have a safe and wonderful week full of blessings.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam