The graduation outfit

Fatwa no. 21052 Praise be to Allah, Alone. Peace and blessings be upon the last Prophet.The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' reviewed the question submitted to His Eminence the Grand Mufty from His Excellency the Director of the center of Daw`ah, and Guidance in Makkah Al-Mukarramah under no. (13/20/577), dated 8/6/1420 A.H. The question was referred to the General Committee from the Council of Senior Scholars under no: (3172), dated 11/6/1420 A.H. His Excellency, the Director of the center of Daw`ah, and Guidance, asked the following question:Many universities, institutes, and schools make it obligatory upon the students to wear a graduation gown. Many people say that it is the dress of the priests and the monks when being baptized at the churches. I would like Your Eminence to issue a fatwa with regard to the ruling on wearing such gowns.

After studying the matter, the Committee replied: It is Haram (prohibited) for Muslims to imitate Non-Muslims; the Jews, (Part No. 24; Page No. 27)  the Christians, etc., in wearing the clothes that are uniquely theirs. This is based on the general meaning of the proofs from the Qur'an and Sunnah which forbid imitating them. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, He who imitates any people becomes one of them." [Related by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, as well as others]. It is also reported that When the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw `Abdullah Ibn `Amr wearing two pieces of clothing dyed in saffron. He said, "These are the clothes (usually worn by) the disbelievers, so do not wear them." [Related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith]. It was also authentically reported in Sahih Muslim that `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote a letter to his governor in Azerbaijan, `Utbah ibn Farqad (may Allah be pleased with him) saying, "Beware of luxury and the clothing of the disbelievers and wearing silk.” Thus, it is not permissible to wear what is known as the “gown” upon graduating from a school, institute, or college, because it is the clothing of the Christians and a Muslim should be proud of his religion and of following his Prophet (peace be upon him). He should not pay any attention to the customs of those with whom Allah is angry and who have gone astray such as the Jews, the Christians, and others. (Part No. 24; Page No. 28) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.