Islamic School Graduation Day. Can i take part?
Question
Assalamu a'laikum- I am a female who works at an Islamic School which was established couple years ago. At the end of the school year, our school arranges Graduation Day to celebrate student achievements. The event is arranged in the auditorium with men seated on one side and women on the other side. I observe complete Hijāb and cover my face; I would like to know if it is permissible for me as an employee to be a part of this event and partake in organizing it. Jazakallah
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Sister in Islam,
It is pleasing to note you observe complete hijab and also cover your face. It is in fact compulsory for a woman to cover her face. An Islamic school ought to practice and propagate Islamic values. Shariah has emphasised on complete segregation of sexes. Males should not interact and see females and vice versa. This is collectively understood from the following verses:
Translation: “Say to the believing men they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts, that is purer for them. Allah is Aware of the things they do”
With regards to females Allah Ta’ala says:
Translation: “Say to the believing women they should lower their gazes and guard their private parts.”
Translation: “When you ask them for anything, then ask them from behind a curtain. This is purer for your hearts and for their hearts.”
Translation: “O Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam)! Tell your wives, your daughter and the women of the believers that they should draw down their Jalaabeeb over themselves (wear a loose garment that covers their entire body without revealing their shape of the body).”
The situation in the auditorium as explained by you does not fulfil the Shariee requirements of complete hijab. The men and women are separated but they are in the same hall. They will enter together or at least they will be seen by each other. It is also normal in such situations for both genders to mix with each other and freely talk. Therefore, the auditorium lay out is not sufficient. You should advise the administration to have a complete segregation.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mahmood Suliman
Student Darul Iftaa
Gaborone, Botswana
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
{قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ} [النور: 30]
{ وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ} [النور: 31]
{وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ} [الأحزاب: 53]
{يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا} [الأحزاب: 59]
- Answered by
- Mahmood Suliman
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam). It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.