Can I Remain in the Boy Scouts If Their Benediction Says, “May the Scoutmaster Be with Us”?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Can I remain in the Boy Scouts if their benediction says, “May the scoutmaster be with us,” by replacing it with Allah, or must I leave?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

The issue with the Boy Scouts’ benediction revolves around intention and context. The main principle is that we, as Muslims, do not direct our supplications or prayers except to Allah, the One who controls all things. Allah says:

“Say, ‘Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whatever [name] you call – to Him belong the best names.” [Quran, 17:110]

And, “Indeed, those you invoke besides Allah are servants like you. So invoke them and let them respond to you, if you should be truthful.” [Quran, 7:194]

You can remain in the Boy Scouts, but adapting the practice in a way that aligns with your faith is essential. If you can replace the benediction with a prayer to Allah, that is permissible, and you should do so. Otherwise, if participation in the benediction feels compromising to your belief in any way, you may consider not partaking in it.

As I have seen in many situations growing up, Muslims often remain silent, offer their personal prayers to Allah, or wait until after a group prayer to offer their own. Unless you are coerced into participating in a manner that contradicts your beliefs, there is no harm in staying and benefiting from the valuable skills the Boy Scouts offer.

Your faith is between you and Allah, and as long as you maintain the intention of remaining true to Him, Allah knows best what is most beneficial for you.

Please consult this related answer for more details.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[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.