Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night

Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night

History

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. He was in the cellar of the parliament with the 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities stormed it in the early hours of November 5th. He was caught, tortured and executed.

Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot’s failure. (1)

Origin of fireworks

Fireworks were originally invented in China. Chinese people originally believed that the fireworks could expel evil spirits and bring about luck and happiness.

Modern coloured fireworks were invented in Europe in the 1830s. Modern skyrocket fireworks have been made since the early 20th century. (2)

There are many disadvantages of bonfires (3). Some are below:

1. Economic effects/Extravagance.

Allah Almighty says in the Noble Qur’an,
ولا تبذر تبذيرا ان المبذرين كانوا إخوان الشياطين وكان الشيطان لربه كفورا
“And do not squander recklessly. Surely, squanderers are brothers of shayateen, and the Satan is very ungrateful to his Lord.” (Qur’ān, 17:26)

In another verse, Allah Almighty says,
وَلَا تُسۡرِفُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ
“And do not be extravagant. Surely, Allāh does not like the extravagant.” (Qur’ān, 6:141)

With the recent economic crisis, it has become more and more important not to waste the money and to utilise it more wisely.

2. Risk of injuries to oneself or a property (if not used properly).

Sayyiduna Ubadah ibn al-Samit RA reported that the Noble Messenger of Allah sallallahu Alaihi wasallam issued a decree,
عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَضَى أَنْ‏ لاَ ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ (سنن ابن ماجه)
“Do not cause harm or return harm.” (Sunan Ibn Maajah)

3. The smoke from the fireworks could be harmful to health.

Health is one of the great blessings given to mankind. We should lookafter eachother’s health.

The Noble Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said,
نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ
“There are two blessings that many people are deceived into losing: health and free time.” (Saheeh al-Bukhari)

4. Harming of animals.

The loud bangs filling the air causes severe distress and fear in them resulting in their running wild and even being run over.

The Noble Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said,
“A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.” (Saheeh al-Bukhari)

The prohibition of causing harm to the creation of Allah is evident from the above narration.

5. Imitation.

The Noble Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said,
مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ (سنن أبي داود)
“He who imitates a people will be from among them (on the Day of Judgement).”
[Sunan Abi Dawood]

6. Disturbing the neighbours, the sick, the learners, be they young or old, who are trying to sleep.

The Noble Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said,
لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ لَا يَأْمَنُ جَارُهُ بَوَائِقَهُ (صحيح مسلم)
“He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not secure from his evil.” (Saheeh al-Muslim)

Selling Fireworks

In general, the principle in selling items is that if there is a valid usage of an item in Shariah, its sale is permissible. Fireworks can and are used for SOS signals. But according to many Fuqahaa (Jurists), in this instance, it is disliked to buy or sell fireworks. The income will not be pure halal.

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks
(3) https://tafseer-raheemi.com/bonfires-and-fireworks/