Question: What is the ruling on establishing ceremonies like graduation ceremonies, for example, accompanied by the playing of the duff and Islamic Nasheeds? What is the ruling on listening to them, may Allah reward you?
Answer: “As for a ceremony which includes a speech directed to and congratulating the graduands, then there is no harm in this. As for the duff, singing, and what resembles that, then in my soul there is something against that. If a person said this is from the festivals, then the answer is: this duff is only used to show joy due to a cause. Like making a walimah, the arrival of a person from a travel, and what resembles that. It is necessary for us not to come to a ruling upon things and that we do not hasten. This is because we are not legislators, rather we follow the legislation. So it obligatory that we do not come with a ruling until we know that the legislation prevents this or does not prevent this. Then it should be known that the origin for other than acts of worship is permissibility except for what a prohibition has been reported”.
[Nur ‘ala Darb no. 366]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan