Posted by: theMajlis

The Anthem in Muslims Schools

Question: At Muslim schools or Madrasahs teachers are required by the managements to teach Muslim children to sing the anthem. They have to be trained to observe all etiquettes attendant to the anthem. What does the Shariah of Islam rule in this matter?

The anthem of any country, be it a Muslim country, is among the shi-aar of non-Muslims. (Shi-aar refer to the outstanding public practices which advertise a culture, cult or way of a community or nation). Adopting the shi-aar of non-Muslims is among the Kabaa-ir (major sins), and in some cases shirk, e.g. standing in honour of a flag or when singing the anthem.

For these reasons it is not permissible to teach the anthem to Muslim children nor to sing it nor to stand in honour when it is sung. Since these acts are in conflict with Islam, it is incumbent to abstain.

It is not permissible for teachers to obey such instructions of the school managements nor is it permissible for Muslim pupils to obey their teachers who instruct them in these haraam practices. It is infinitely better for the concerned Muslim teacher to opt for resignation or dismissal rather than teaching Muslim children to commit acts which are in flagrant violation of the Deen. And, likewise it is infinitely better for Muslim pupils to opt for expulsion rather than to prostrate in obedience to commands of kufr and haraam issued by miscreant teachers who do not believe in the Razzaaqiyat (Providence) of Allah Ta’ala.

If a teacher believes that Allah Ta’ala is the Sole Raaziq (Provider) then he/she will resign without hesitation. It is not possible for a Muslim with a healthy Imaan to submit to the haraam dictates of a fussaaq management.

A. The Muslim’s first consideration should be the Pleasure and Displeasure of Allah Ta’ala. We as the slaves of Allah Ta’ala should not do anything which antagonizes Allah Azza Wa Jal. Refusal to stand when the anthem is sung

is not motivated by any attitude of disrespect. In fact the act of not standing is not an act of disrespect in Islamic

culture. We do not stand when a song is sung in praise of Allah, The Creator. We do not stand when the Holy Scripture of Islam, the Qur’aan Majeed, is recited. Our refusal to stand when songs praising Allah Ta’ala are sung or when the Qur’aan is recited cannot be construed as being motivated by disrespect for Allah and the Qur’aan.

It is sheer narrow mindedness and bigotry for non-Muslims to become antagonized and misconstrue our refusal to stand. It is improper for them to interpret our actions motivated by our religious beliefs to be calculated acts of disrespect for any of their symbols. Different cultures have their own norms and ways. It is in conflict with the constitutional principle of religious freedom to impose the beliefs or norms of o­ne cultural group o­n another cultural or religious group.

As long as Muslims are not treacherous towards the state, the authorities have no reason for any antagonism based o­n our observance of our religious demand of abstaining from standing when the anthem is sung.

Muslims abhor many acts of the non-Muslim government. Among these are abortion, homosexuality, the doctrine of equality of sexes, homosexual ‘marriages’, acceptance of illegitimacy, etc., etc. By voicing abhorrence for these cultural aberrations and acts of immorality, Muslims are merely following their religious tenets and claiming their constitutional right of freedom of thought and speech, if these values do have true worth in the eyes of the state. If the state upholds a concept of shirk such as the standing practice, Muslims may not be considered to be disrespectful for dissociating themselves from such practices.

In Islam there are two forms of Dua, Qur’aanic and Masnoon. Such Duas have a greater significance over the other form of duas which are personal expressions in any language and manner. The greater ibaadat aspect of Qur’aanic

and Masnoon Duas is apparent from the fact that during Salaat, Dua is restricted to o­nly the first form. If dua in the second form is made during Salaat, it will invalidate Salaat.

The misguided individuals who are responsible for rendering the anthem into Arabic have perpetrated the shaitaani act of misleading ignorant Muslims into believing that the anthem is a Qur’aanic or a Masnoon Dua. While today

Muslims who are aware of the reality cannot be befooled by this stunt of the translators, there does exist the distinct danger of children growing up with this bid’ah prayer of the non-Muslims presented in Qur’aanic and Masnoon colour and flavour, believing that in reality it is such a dua.

The anthem is a non-Muslim prayer, hence it may not be incorporated into the prayers and ibaadat of Muslims even if it does not contain any reference to shirk and kufr.

The Arabic rendition of the anthem is haraam. It is a greater sin to recite it in Arabic than in any other language. Singing the anthem in its original language, in general, and in dua form in Arabic in particular, is haraam and borders of kufr.