Fatwa #271527 April 2019United States of America
Studying Comparative Religion
Question
I want to know if I as a Muslim could attend a World Religions class which discusses various other traditions and beliefs about God/gods and goddesses?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, it is permissible to learn about the various religions in the world. One’s participation must not entail accepting or respecting any aspect of the beliefs of the various religions. It also must not entail attacking Islam or creating doubts regarding Islam.
If one has the intention of using one’s knowledge to be more effective in da‘wa (calling to Allah), one will be rewarded for studying comparative religion, in sha Allah.
And Allah Ta‘ālā Knows Best.
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.