Is the Cap and Gown One Wears for College Graduation Haram?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

Is the cap and gown one wears for a high school or college graduation haram? Many sources I’ve seen in the past have said it is imitating the disbelievers.

Answer

A little history

The oldest existing, and continually operating educational institution in the world is the University of Karueein, founded in 859 AD in Fez, Morocco by Fatima bint Muhammad Al-Fihriya Al-Qurashiya.

When students from Europe (Non-Muslims) learned and graduated from these universities and returned to their lands, they used to dress in the Arab/Muslim robes (Thawb or Qameez), they imitated the dress of the Muslims and that would become an indication that this particular young man graduated from the University of the Muslims.

This imitation of wearing the Arab/Muslim garb (which is baggy and wide in its design) has stayed with them (Non-Muslims in the West) to this day when they graduate from University. Jack Goody in his book titled “Islam in Europe” says: “The Arabic clothing (Thawb) has remained as the purest and clearest sign of scholastic integrity up to this day of ours, especially during scholastic events such as debating of University thesis, and graduations.”

What about the mortarboard cap? And the tassel that hangs therefrom? See this video:

Historical origin of the university gowns and mortarboards.

This graduate says these caps were originally made flat in order to carry the Qur’an on top of it, and I have heard that the tassel was made in order to remind the scholar that his knowledge is from Allah and that it symbolizes Allah holding the tassel, as He is the one who has given the knowledge and He is also able to pull it away.  Consider decorating your cap like this.

Wearing Sports Team and Traditional Caps

Can Anyone Wear a Turban? Are There Styles Specific for Scholars?

May Allah give you the best in this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad 
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied Aqidah, Fiqh, Tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied Fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.