Graduation ceremonies
Question:-
I’m currently studying at UNISA. We have a Muslim student’s group chat where they speak about graduation ceremonies. According to my little knowledge, as Muslims, it is not permissible to attend such events. Is it my responsibility to tell the other students? Please advise! Also, am I correct when I say that it is not permissible due to so many of Allah Ta’ala’s laws being violated. Is it correct to say that it is Haram to attend such events, as the graduation gown originates from kuffar culture? The function comprises of photography, music, intermingling and many more Haraam activities. Please advise! I request that you publish the answer to this question in order to inform the Ummah.
Answer:-
It is not permissible for Muslims to attend the Kuffar graduation ceremonies which include several impermissible practices such as, photography, intermingling of sexes, females inappropriately dressed and consequently, Muslim males casting lustful glances at them, hugging and shaking hands with Na-Mahrams, music being played at the function, bowing before the professor etc. These are just some of the wrongs that we are aware of and have highlighted above.
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 Ummats. However, Allah Ta’ala has granted Salaam to this Ummat, 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 Ummat 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 before another person.
One 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, including all the various other forms of wrong which we have discussed above.
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)
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 21 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1444 / 18 October 2022