Standing for Anthem or Teacher’s Arrival — Sharʿi Ruling in the Light of Hadith
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 535
Question:
The following issues were asked:
➊ Is it Sharʿi permissible to stand as a sign of respect while listening to the anthem, wherever one may be? If it is permissible, then what is the meaning of {قُوْمُوا لِلّٰہِ قَانِتِیْنَ}?
➋ Is it permissible in Sharīʿah for students to stand up out of respect upon the arrival of a teacher?
➌ If it is not permissible, then how is it explained that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up upon the arrival of Sayyidah Fāṭimah رضي الله عنها?
This question is significant because it has caused disputes in schools, and a Sharʿi ruling is needed for resolution.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
You have asked three questions:
① Standing for a Teacher’s Arrival
From the ahadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, it is clear that:
◄ Qiyām li’l-insān — standing in one’s place merely to honor someone;
◄ Qiyām ʿalā al-insān — standing before or over someone for a while to honor him;
— Both these forms are not permissible in Sharīʿah.
However, Qiyām ilā al-insān is permissible, i.e., rising to go towards the arriving person, greeting him, embracing him, helping him sit, or supporting him if he is ill or weak — provided it does not turn into one of the two impermissible forms above.
Definitions:
◈ Qiyām li’l-insān: standing up in place purely out of respect for an arriving person, even if one sits down immediately.
◈ Qiyām ʿalā al-insān: some remain seated while others continue standing in respect of someone for a noticeable time.
The prohibition of both is found in the relevant chapters of Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī and Sunan Abī Dāwūd.
Thus, students standing up or remaining standing merely out of respect for a teacher is not permissible in Sharīʿah.
② The Prophet ﷺ Standing for Sayyidah Fāṭimah رضي الله عنها
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood upon the arrival of Sayyidah Fāṭimah رضي الله عنها, it was an example of Qiyām ilā al-insān, because the hadith wording is:
{قَامَ اِلَيْهَا} — “He ﷺ stood up towards her,” and then seated her in his place.
This narration is found in Abū Dāwūd and Tirmidhī. For further detail, see Ibn al-Qayyim’s Tahdhīb al-Sunan (Kitāb al-Adab, Bāb al-Qiyām, Hadith no. 5052).
③ Standing for the Anthem
The ruling for standing during the anthem is based on the same principles:
◄ If it resembles Qiyām li’l-insān or Qiyām ʿalā al-insān, it is not permissible.
◄ Reflect also: Qur’an recitation, remembrance of Allah, and the Friday khutbah — all of which contain great virtues — are listened to while sitting. How can a national anthem be comparable to the blessed khutbah?
Therefore, standing motionless out of respect during the anthem is not permissible in Sharīʿah.
Hādhā mā ʿindī wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
[Tirmidhī, Abwāb al-Manāqib, Vol. 2, Bāb mā jāʾa fī faḍl Fāṭimah]
