We live on a farm and our neighbourhood is very close-knit.

Answer

Firstly, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: 'Haya is a branch of Imaan." Whilst this is applicable to male and female, the degree of haya is considerably emphasized and naturally ingrained in the constitution of the Muslim female. External and alien influences such as western education and public exhibition contaminate and even eliminate the natural haya of Muslim females. For Muslim girls, and worse, for Muslim ladies, to jump like monkeys on contraptions in kuffaar style, is intolerable and destructive of their haya.

There is a difference between happiness and haraam fun. Whilst the former is permissible, the latter is termed laghw (futility) which has no admission in the life of a Muslim. Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan Majeed: "The life of this world is but play and amusement whilst the abode of the Aakhirah is best for those who fear (who have Taqwa). What! Do you not understand?"

Jumping castles and the like come within the scope of kuffaar sport which diverts the mind from reality and focus it on nafsaaniyat. It is for this reason that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Every lahw (futility/ sport) of the Mu'min is baatil (i.e. haraam)….."

Furthermore, when a group of girls and ladies congregate to indulge in ridiculous jumping on these 'jumping castles' in the manner in which kuffaar do, they become shameless and rowdy. These types of games induce loud laughter which is also not permissible. It is most undignified for adult Muslim ladies to indulge in jumping like monkeys.

Eid is not a day of futility and kuffaar fun. To be happy does not require indulgence in futility and in games evolved by the kuffaar. This is a new innovation of 'happiness' on the Day of Eid. Whoever introduces baatil will have to bear the burden of the sin of all those who indulge in the innovated baatil. Furthermore, considerable amounts of money are wasted hiring the 'jumping castles' of laghw. Wasters, according to the Qur'aan, are the "brothers of the shayaateen". There are numerous lucrative F i-Sabeelillaah avenues into which the squandered funds could be directed to gain everlasting thawaab. How many grieving hearts can be made 'happy' with the wasted money! If the objective is happiness on Eid Day, then there is no superior happiness than to make happy the hearts of the poor and destitute. This is the true happiness of the Mu'min. It is also in conflict with Hijaab for ladies and young girls to jump on these contraptions. It is not possible to observe 'strict Hijaab conditions' as you believe. The females are in a place – i.e. homes – where there are also males living. The males will be able to view them from the house-windows or from some other vantage point. Shaitaan and the nafs are always with every person. And, most men despite being outwardly 'pious' with their appearance, are fussaaq and fujjaar at heart. They lack Istihzaar (vivid perception) of the Presence of Allah Ta'ala and the Recording Angels. They derive nafsaani and haraam pleasure from viewing the ladies. The ladies too must be shameless to have the audacity to jump like monkeys. If one reflects with sincerity, one's heart will issue the fatwa of impermissibility. These jumping contraptions are in conflict with the natural haya of Muslim girls and ladies. Jumping castles are not for Muslims. It is not permissible. The money wasted thus, could be given to the poor, and such charity will bring happiness to the heart, and that is the happiness which is among the objectives of Eid's Happiness. Remember that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Every sport of the Mu'min is baatil…" Kuffaar 'happiness' is not Muslim happiness.