Answered by Shaykh Hamza Karamali, SunniPath Academy Teacher
Is it permissible to sit in a western university lecture theatre where there is practically no restraint whatsoever with regard to free-mixing and proper dress-code? Moreover, lecturers may express and teach unacceptable material.
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
The general rule is that it is not permissible to be present in a place where Allah Most High is being disobeyed unless (a) one is present in order to affect positive change, or (b) one’s presence is required in order to fulfill a significant need.
Both these conditions are extremely relevant for Muslims living in non-Muslim societies. The first condition teaches us that our religion encourages us to be agents of positive change through participation in civic affairs. The second condition teaches us that we are not required to bring significant harm upon ourselves in order to avoid being present in a place where one’s own religious beliefs are being contravened by people of other faiths.
Based on these guidelines, it’s permissible to sit in a place where the vast majority of attendees are not complying with Islamic requirements of modesty if (a) there is a significant need that can only be fulfilled by attending, and (b) one takes care not to fall into sin oneself by observing the Islamic rules of modesty in one’s own interactions.
Attaining a university degree is considered a significant need that would make such attendance permissible, provided that attendance at the lectures is needed to complete one’s university studies with excellence (which will normally be the case). Remember that the “need” here is not merely to attain a degree, but also to become an expert in the knowledge that one is learning and completing one’s studies with excellence.
And Allah Most High knows best.
Hamza.
Reference: Tuhfat al-Muhtaj, 1.158