Can I Learn Specific Skills to Attend Anime and Comic-Conventions?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I want to learn a few skills, such as marketing, public speaking, and other skills required for a convention, specifically an anime and comic convention. I know these skills are not sinful in and of themselves, but at the convention, there will be free mixing, music, dressing up as characters, and so on. I am aware that such things are considered sinful. I believe that learning these skills and participating in this convention makes one a sinner and an enabler, leading many others to sin.
I want to learn these skills solely to learn and assist my colleagues at work. What should my stance be on this? Should I continue learning these skills and helping my friends?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Thank you for your question. Allah (Most High) increases you with sound knowledge, faith, and continuous good works, amin.
It is essential to have good skills like communication, leadership, teamwork, learning/adaptability, self-management, and computer skills in this day and age.
Our intention and goal should be to become assertive in our day-to-day life, live as a law-abiding citizens, be obedient to Allah’s (Most High) commands, and follow the sunna of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
Our objective is to do things in this light and look at the higher purpose. Learning the above skills to attend an Anime and Comic Convention where many un-Islamic actions will take place is not permissible.
There are many ways to upskill yourself with the above, online and onsite free and paid platforms in your area. And also, there are many Islamic alternatives to Anime and Comic entertainment, like learning Islamic knowledge, and Arabic, attending gatherings of remembrance and ode singing, going on family and friend knowledge-based retreats and breaks, etc. Surround yourself with experienced practicing Muslims, and you will be amazed to see all you intend to learn and come to life. This is the way of finding continuous true inner peace. We have to look at the broader and greater goal of life in this world.
Ponder and reflect on this hadith reported by Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him); the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘Listen, indeed the world is cursed and everything in it, except the remembrance of Allah (Most High) and what facilitates it, the scholar or the student.’ [Tirmidhi]
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on Seekersguidance?
I hope this is helpful to your question. I pray Allah (Most High) facilitates all kinds of openings, the goodness of this World and Hereafter, amin.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
