Ruling on Standing for the National Anthem in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 534
Question:
During national ceremonies, the national anthem is recited at the beginning or end, and its respect is considered a national duty. In our school, there is also a prayer at the beginning of the day, which ends with the national anthem. For its respect, every person is required to stand motionless. According to national law, this form of respect is considered obligatory.
I personally avoid this practice, due to which disputes have arisen in school. Supporters argue that it is a national duty and a legal requirement, and hence not against Qur’an and Sunnah.
Please clarify, in the light of Qur’an and Hadith, whether this act is permissible or not. Also, if one is compelled to do so, would it be against the belief in Tawḥīd?
— Muhammad Ayyub Khalid, Jhbran
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
You are aware of the great status of Qur’an recitation in Sharīʿah, as well as the etiquettes of the Friday khutbah. Yet, in Sharīʿah, neither during Qur’an recitation nor during the khutbah has any such practice been legislated that resembles the way of standing for a national anthem.
Standing motionless during the anthem is imitation of non-Muslim nations. To declare this specific practice of non-Muslims as a “national duty” or a “national law” is entirely impermissible.
Moreover, standing purely out of reverence and respect is not legislated even for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. As established in Hadith, even in ṣalāh—where standing is obligatory—when the Prophet ﷺ once led the prayer sitting due to an excuse, the Companions initially stood following him. But the Prophet ﷺ gestured to them to sit, showing that such standing was not correct even though it was part of ṣalāh.
Therefore, reflect: if standing was not deemed appropriate in prayer in that situation, then how can it be permissible to stand motionless in reverence during a national anthem?
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
