Bowing at a graduation ceremony

Question:-

Please advise what should a Muslim do at a graduation ceremony in regards to bowing when receiving the degree certificate.

Answer:-

Bowing (also called stooping), is the act of lowering the torso and head as a social gesture in direction to another person or symbol. It is also used in religious contexts, as a form of worship or veneration. A nod of the head may be regarded as the minimal form of bowing.

Bowing down before others as a greeting or in honour of them was permitted in the previous Ummahs. However, Allah Ta’ala has granted Salaam to this Ummah, which is actually the greeting of the people of Jannah. This was granted as an advanced honour and bounty from Allah Ta’ala. Since this Ummah has been blessed with the great bounty of Salaam, it is not permissible for one to lower himself before another in any way whatsoever. In conclusion, a Muslim should excuse himself from bowing at a graduation ceremony when receiving his certificate.

Another option (which we advise) would be to avoid attending the graduation ceremony with the excuse that one is sick (meaning that one is spiritually ill since we are all in need of treatment for our spiritual illnesses). When Hadrat Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam was invited by his people to a particular festival, he refused to attend stating that he was sick. He meant by his statement that he is either spiritually ill, or he is sick of their idol worship. In this instance too, one should avoid attending the graduation ceremony, so that one is protected from the incorrect practice of lowering himself before another when receiving his certificate.

حدثنا بشر، قال: ثنا يزيد، قال: ثنا سعيد، عن قتادة: وخروا له سجدا ، «وكانت تحية من قبلكم، كان بها يحيي بعضهم بعضا، فأعطى الله هذه الأمة السلام، تحية أهل الجنة، كرامة من الله تبارك وتعالى عجلها لهم، ونعمة منه (تفيسر طبري ص355 ج14)

 كَانَ ذَلِكَ سُجُودَ تَعْظِيمٍ وَتَحِيَّةٍ لَا سُجُودَ عِبَادَةٍ، كَسُجُودِ إِخْوَةِ يُوسُفَ لَهُ فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: وَخَرُّوا لَهُ سُجَّداً , وَلَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ وَضْعُ الْوَجْهِ عَلَى الأرض إنما كان انحناء، فَلَمَّا جَاءَ الْإِسْلَامُ أَبْطَلَ ذَلِكَ بِالسَّلَامِ. (تفيسير بغوي ص104 ج1)

The university environment is extremely dangerous to the Imaan of our youth hence, we advise parents to refrain from sending their children to universities. The most valuable treasure in the world is Imaan, and if this treasure is lost, one will be perpetually doomed.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 17 Shawwal 1443 / 19 May 2022