Am I Responsible for Events in Programs I Do Not Organize?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Am I accountable for activities I do not organize, such as a winery visit or public performances, if they are part of a program I promote?

I work on an educational project for students and promote a scholarship that includes cultural visits. A winery visit and public performances were added to the program, but I do not organize or attend them. Am I Islamically responsible for these elements, especially if students choose to participate?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

This issue can be understood from different juristic perspectives, and Allah knows best.

Details

In general, the issue of responsibility in this case depends on the nature of your involvement and the level of assistance you provide in promoting the events.

The Shafi‘i Perspective: Assisting in Sin

In the Shafi‘i School, the principle is that one should not assist or promote activities that are sinful or lead to sin.

If, even indirectly, your promotion of the program encourages or enables students to engage in sinful activities, such as attending a winery visit (which may involve alcohol consumption) or public performances (which could involve prohibited elements), then this would be considered assisting in sin, as mentioned in the Quran:

“Do not assist one another in sin and transgression.” [Quran, 5:2]

Therefore, even if you do not organize or attend these events yourself, promoting them could be seen as indirect involvement in a sinful activity, and you could be held accountable.

The Hanafi Perspective: Direct vs. Indirect Assistance

The Hanafi School, however, distinguishes direct and indirect involvement. In their view, responsibility for a specific action depends on whether one is directly participating in the sinful act. If you only promote an event without directly participating in its haram aspects (such as encouraging the sinful behavior), then the accountability may be less clear.

However, if you are aware that these events lead students toward sin, it would be more prudent to reconsider your involvement or to clarify to those you are promoting it to the nature of the events and their implications.

Recommendation

Given these considerations, avoiding promoting events that could potentially involve or encourage sinful behavior is advisable, especially when you know that students may choose to participate.

If you are already involved and alternative work is difficult to find, you should strive to distance yourself from promoting or endorsing such activities moving forward. In cases where you are unsure, seeking guidance from a qualified scholar would be beneficial.

For more detailed insights, you may find helpful guidance on this topic on SeekersGuidance here regarding permissible employment and its relation to Sacred Law.

May Allah make it easy for you and grant you success in navigating these challenges with wisdom and righteousness.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.