Ruling on school march past and military parades

17-2-2010 | IslamWeb

Question:

As salamu 'alaikum can you just tell me aboutruling of March past or military parade which is conducted in the schools on sports day. Can we use daff for instructions?

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Answer:

 

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

Conducting a march past and military parades is a good thing since it involves training to acquire means of power, manhood, and to be well-prepared to defend the Ummah (Muslim Nation). It was narrated on the authority of Salamah ibn Al-Akwa’ that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, passed by a group from the tribe of Aslam practicing archery and he said: "Shoot, O children of Ismaa’eel (Ishmael); your father was a great archer." [Al-Bukhari]

It was also narrated on the authority of ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir that he heard the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, on the pulpit saying: "Prepare against them whatever you are able of power as you can afford. Verily, power is in archery, power is in archery, power is in archery." [Muslim]

However, it is required that all these activities do not involve any Sharee’ah violations, such as bowing before the flag, using musical instruments or the like. As regards the ruling of beating the Duff (a tambourine-like instrument without bells) by men, it is a controversial issue among the scholars, however, the most preponderant opinion is that it is not permissible. For more benefit, refer to Fatwa 98922.

Allaah Knows best.