1. If an item is makruh tahreemi or haram does it have to be destroyed or can
it be sold or purchased or can i keep it or hire it or give it to anyone for
free or does it have to be destroyed.
2. Is it permissible for women to study islamic or worldly knowledge in schools, colleges, and universities.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Respected Brother.
1. In order for us to issue a ruling, we have to know the item you are referring to as different items will have different rulings. You may clarify the item you require a ruling on.
You may email your clarification to: admin@daruliftaa.net Ref: Abdullah Noorgat
2. You also enquire about women studying. You refer to Islamic knowledge and secular knowledge. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -: “طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ” (سنن ابن ماجه ت الأرنؤوط 1/151)
Translation: Hadhrat Anas Bin Maalik (Radhiyallahu Anhu) relates; Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “seeking knowledge is compulsory upon every believer” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
From the above Hadith, we understand that Islam encourages one to acquire beneficial education. In fact, it is Fardh upon man and woman to acquire that amount of knowledge which will enable them to correctly discharge the obligations of Deen pertaining to them and aid them in abstaining from Haraam acts.
It is also permissible for women to acquire worldly/secular knowledge. You then refer to schools, colleges and universities in particular. Before addressing that issue, consider the command of the Quran with regard to women. Allah Ta’alah says:
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ ﴿الأحزاب: ٣٣﴾
Translation: “Remain in your homes and do not exit from your homes displaying your beauty as would be displayed (by the women) in the former times of ignorance.” (Al-Ahzaab:33)
It is clear from the above-mentioned verse, that women are commanded to remain within the confines of their homes. However, Islam allows for women to leave their homes when there is a valid need as long as they adhere to the laws to the laws of hijab, i.e. they cover themselves in such a way that they conceal their form and shape, they avoid intermingling with males and they safeguard their chastity and honour.
It is a well-known fact that the environment in schools, colleges, universities etc. are free and unrestricted. The environment at universities is extremely immoral. Intermingling, immoral relationships, improper behaviour, foul language and immodest dressing cannot be avoided. Lectures do not have pardah facilities. Tutorials and group projects require interaction and discussion often with the opposite gender. The concept of Haya (modesty) and concealing oneself from the gazes of strange men are completely over looked.
Campus life is made up of drugs, alcohol and a nightclub culture together with all the evils these bring with them. There are also dubious sects and groups who thrive under the guise of free thinking. Hence, modernists, feminism etc. are bred in these environments. Lecturers and students who atheists, Darwinists etc. often corrupt the minds of one, leaving a person to question Islamic beliefs and rulings.
Peer pressure strongly encourages towards all these wrongs. It is naive to assume that one who is daily exposed to such an environment will not be enticed towards sin. It is like placing butter next to heat and expecting it not to melt.
The dangers of campus life are real and unavoidable. No matter the precautions adopted, one will certainly compromise one’s Islamic values at some time or the other. To hope that one remains Islamically safe in such a sinful environment is like jumping into a pool of water and hoping not to get wet. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) mentions:
وعن النُّعْمَانَ بْنَ بَشِيرٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ الْحَلاَلُ بَيِّنٌ وَالْحَرَامُ بَيِّنٌ، وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشَبَّهَاتٌ لاَ يَعْلَمُهَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَمَنِ اتَّقَى الْمُشَبَّهَاتِ اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِيِنِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ، وَمَنْ وَقَعَ فِي الشُّبُهَاتِ كَرَاعٍ يَرْعَى حَوْلَ الْحِمَى، يُوشِكُ أَنْ يُوَاقِعَهُ (صحيح البخاري (1/20)
Translation: Hadhrat Nu’man bin Bashir (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates, I heard Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying, “Both legal and illegal things are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So, whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honour. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the Hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it (fall prey to the doubtful things).” (Sahih-ul-Bukhari)
In conclusion, education for a Muslim should be attained in a manner in which the laws of Islam are preserved. Education is never a licence to transgress the limits of Islam. Muslims, male or female, must endeavour to stay within the laws of Islam in attaining education. In keeping with this, they should choose the education system which poses the least risk to their Islamic morality. For example, studying through correspondence etc.
While seeking knowledge has its virtues and merits, it is more important to safeguard ones Imaan and Islamic values. There is no point in educating oneself at the risk of losing one’s Islamic values and principles. One can safely and easily learn through correspondence etc. and progress in both their religious and secular studies.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdullah Noorgat
Student Darul Ifta
South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.