Can I Work in a Kindergarten That Celebrates Non-Muslim Religious Holidays?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
Can I work in a kindergarten that celebrates non-Muslim religious holidays?
Answer
I pray you are well.
As long as you are not actively involved in celebrating or commemorating those religious holidays, it should be fine to work there. The key issue is active participation in religious acts that contradict one’s own faith.
Avoiding Active Participation
For example, someone may work or teach in a Catholic school. If there is an assembly where a Catholic hymn is sung, you may be present, but you should not sing the hymn. Being physically present without participating in the act of worship itself is not the same as engaging in it.
Being Clear About Your Religious Boundaries
It is important to explain your position clearly. You can tell them that you work there, but you have your own religion, and you do not believe in these practices. Explain that it would be impermissible for you to engage in acts of worship or activities that contradict the principles of your religion.
This should be explained beforehand. If they accept this and respect your boundaries, then there is no issue. If they do not agree, then it would be best to look for work elsewhere.
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began studying Arabic Grammar and Morphology whilst studying for a degree in English and History. After graduating, He traveled to Damascus and studied Arabic, Hanafi Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, and Logic with Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahman Arjan al-Binsawi, Shaykh Husayn Darwish, Shaykh Muhammad Darwish, the late Shaykh Rashad Shams, and others. He then moved to Amman to continue his studies in those fields, as well as in Tafsir, Quranic Sciences, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Prophetic Biography, Prophetic Perfections and Traits, Rhetoric, Arabic Literature, and Tajwid. His teachers include Shaykh Ali Hani, Dr. Hamza al-Bakri, Dr Salah Abu al-Hajj, Dr Mansur Abu Zina, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Shaykh Ahmad Jammal, and others.
