Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawdīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 504
Question:
I am a teacher in a government school. Every month, various NGOs hold meetings with us. In these meetings, they teach us specific methods for educating children, and at the end of the meeting, they give us cash, tea, or sweets, etc.
It should be noted that we are compelled to attend these meetings under the instructions of the Education Department officers.
On one occasion, they tried to bring women to the meeting, but we stopped them.
Furthermore, in the Jang newspaper dated November 13, a news item was published stating: “Anyone cooperating with NGOs in any way is guilty according to Sharī‘ah.”
We (five or six teachers) are Salafi in creed and seek Shar‘i guidance on this matter. Can we use the money and gifts they give us?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Amā ba‘d!
If you attend the NGOs’ programs only under the orders of the Education Department, out of compulsion and necessity, then you are Shar‘an excused.
Allah Ta‘ālā says:
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 286)
In such a case, Allah Ta‘ālā knows your intention and necessity best, and in shā’ Allāh there will be no Shar‘i sin upon you.
◈ If anything contradicts the Qur’an and Hadith, clarify and refute it.
◈ If something is in accordance with the religion, there is no harm in implementing it.
◈ Their objectives are doubtful and, in many cases, beyond the limits of Sharī‘ah.
◈ Accepting such gifts can be seen as endorsing or morally supporting them, which is not appropriate.
Even though you are currently compelled by departmental orders, your Shar‘i responsibility is:
◈ Remain firm upon your ‘aqīdah and manhaj.
◈ Avoid anything that promotes religious corruption, atheism, or the Western agenda.
اللَّهُمَّ أرِنَا الحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ، وَأرِنَا البَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهُ
O Allah! Show us the truth as truth and grant us the ability to follow it, and show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us the ability to avoid it.
◈ If you attend NGO meetings under the Education Department’s compulsion, you are excused.
◈ Completely avoid accepting their cash, gifts, tea, or sweets.
◈ It is your Shar‘i responsibility to assess the curriculum and instructions in light of the Qur’an and Hadith.
Hādhā mā ‘indī, wallāhu a‘lam biṣ-ṣawāb.
Question:
I am a teacher in a government school. Every month, various NGOs hold meetings with us. In these meetings, they teach us specific methods for educating children, and at the end of the meeting, they give us cash, tea, or sweets, etc.
It should be noted that we are compelled to attend these meetings under the instructions of the Education Department officers.
On one occasion, they tried to bring women to the meeting, but we stopped them.
Furthermore, in the Jang newspaper dated November 13, a news item was published stating: “Anyone cooperating with NGOs in any way is guilty according to Sharī‘ah.”
We (five or six teachers) are Salafi in creed and seek Shar‘i guidance on this matter. Can we use the money and gifts they give us?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Amā ba‘d!
If Attendance at the Meetings Is Due to Compulsion
If you attend the NGOs’ programs only under the orders of the Education Department, out of compulsion and necessity, then you are Shar‘an excused.
Allah Ta‘ālā says:
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 286)
In such a case, Allah Ta‘ālā knows your intention and necessity best, and in shā’ Allāh there will be no Shar‘i sin upon you.
However… from a Religious Perspective, the Following Guidelines Are Necessary:
① Evaluate the Educational Material and Instructions in Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah
◈ If anything contradicts the Qur’an and Hadith, clarify and refute it.
◈ If something is in accordance with the religion, there is no harm in implementing it.
② Do Not Accept Cash, Gifts, Tea, or Sweets from the NGOs
◈ Their objectives are doubtful and, in many cases, beyond the limits of Sharī‘ah.
◈ Accepting such gifts can be seen as endorsing or morally supporting them, which is not appropriate.
③ Protection of the Religion Comes First
Even though you are currently compelled by departmental orders, your Shar‘i responsibility is:
◈ Remain firm upon your ‘aqīdah and manhaj.
◈ Avoid anything that promotes religious corruption, atheism, or the Western agenda.
④ Supplicate to Allah Ta‘ālā
اللَّهُمَّ أرِنَا الحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ، وَأرِنَا البَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهُ
O Allah! Show us the truth as truth and grant us the ability to follow it, and show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us the ability to avoid it.
Summary of the Ruling
◈ If you attend NGO meetings under the Education Department’s compulsion, you are excused.
◈ Completely avoid accepting their cash, gifts, tea, or sweets.
◈ It is your Shar‘i responsibility to assess the curriculum and instructions in light of the Qur’an and Hadith.
Hādhā mā ‘indī, wallāhu a‘lam biṣ-ṣawāb.
