Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan was asked:
Question:
There are a group of non-Muslims who teach us and when the graduation comes near, they invite us to a dinner on the occasion of the graduation. So is it allowed for us to answer the invitation to this meal? Jazakallahu Khairan
Answer:
“There is nothing preventing a Muslim from answering the invitation of the disbeliever for food. He eats his food, especially if that will have an effect on him and draw him towards Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) ate the food of a Jew, which proves that there is no harm in this. Unless this food has something prohibited in it like pork or is slaughtered meat which is not allowed to eat, like the slaughter of a polytheist or Zoroastrian. If there is unlawful ingredients or evil that is present, then it is not allowed to attend. Even if the invitation was from the Muslims. If there is evil or unlawful things, then it is not allowed to attend even if the invitation was from Muslims, so how about the invitation from a disbeliever? If the invitation is free from evil and it is simply eating of food and answering the invitation, then there is no harm in that. Yes”
[Sharh Kitab at-Tawheed no. 6]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
As we know in the graduation ceremonies of western institutions and universities, etc. There is much evil in them, like music, free mixing, shaking hands with non mehram women [and men for the sisters] when receiving the degree paper, etc. This is all evil which seems like graduations wouldn’t be permissible to attend. Also there is a lot of picture taking and video making.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen was asked:
Question:
What is the ruling on establishing ceremonies like graduation ceremonies, for example, accompanied by the playing of the duff and Islamic Nasheeds? What is the ruling on listening to them, may Allah reward you?
Answer: “As for a ceremony which includes a speech directed to and congratulating the graduates, then there is no harm in this. As for the duff, singing, and what resembles that, then in my soul there is something against that. If a person said this is from the festivals, then the answer is that this duff is only used to show joy due to a cause. Like making a walimah, the arrival of a person from a travel, and what resembles that. It is necessary for us not to come to a ruling upon things and that we do not hasten. This is because we are not legislators, rather we follow the legislation. So it obligatory that we do not come with a ruling until we know that the legislation prevents this or does not prevent this. Then it should be known that the origin for other than acts of worship is permissibility except for what a prohibition has been reported”.
[Nur ‘ala Darb no. 366]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan was asked:
Question:
Some middle schools girls request that the students have a special adornment called an overcoat which they wear in the celebrations honoring mothers and that is close to the middle school graduation. The characteristics of this adornment is that:
- It is in the form of an open overcoat and it has long sleeves.
- It is worn above the school apron [clothing]
- It does not have a cap for the head and does not imitate the dress worn during the Western graduations. There is no cap.
- It costs approximately 100 riyals.
The question from the female students is, Oh Virtuous one: Is it allowed to wear this clothing and is it allowed to tailor it for this celebration? What is your guidance?
Answer:
“We don’t see that this clothing be worn and made for this occasion. This occasion does not need a special clothing. It is desired for the female students that they wear concealing, modest clothing.
As for having special clothing for this celebration, then this is not necessary because this is a corrupt tradition, necessitating for the female students to adorn themselves with a specific adornment for this celebration or for the graduation. This is a corrupt tradition. Also, it involves unnecessary burden. Unnecessary burden for the body by tailoring [this garment] and unnecessary material burden by spending money and there is no need for this. Yes”
[Reference removed since it no longer exists]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
Shaykh Raajihi was asked:
Question:
What is the ruling on establishing parties after the end of study and graduation?
Answer:
” I do not know of any harm in this if he establishes a party, for example, for honoring the outstanding [students] or honoring the parents. I hope there is no harm in that because in the intent of its establishment is not the belief that it is Sunnah. It is only from the way of encouragement for the students and guardians. [This is] if it [the party] is upon a form that does not agree with the enemies of Islam.”
[Reference removed since it no longer exists]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
