Is It Permissible to Work in a Catholic University?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Is it permissible to work at a ‘Catholic University’ as a faculty member in a secular discipline? The said school had been founded more than 150 years ago by a priest, and the mission at founding was the propagation of the Catholic faith. However, over the years, it has evolved into a more or less ordinary university with secular areas of study such as medicine, business, engineering etc. That being said, they still have a theology department, which mainly trains priests. Also, board members include high-level clergy.

Answer

I pray you are well.

Yes, such a job would be permissible, provided that it doesn’t involve engaging in their religious practices and ceremonies. The general command of our religion with regards to non-Muslims is that we leave them to their religious practices. (Maydani, Lubab)

Therefore, a teaching role in a secular subject is permissible with the above constraint. If you are invited to participate in a religious ceremony, politely decline, and state that your own religious beliefs do not allow you to engage in the practices of other religions.

May Allah facilitate all that is good for you.
[Shaykh]Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.