Attending a Mawlid Gathering for the Sake of Running a Madrasa

Question

Zayd founded a madrasa in a place where the people of bid‘a (innovation) live; he himself keeps away from bid‘a, but in view of the consideration of benefit that if he does not take part in the bid‘a these people will not send their children to the madrasa — what is the ruling if he takes part in their bid‘a? Suppose he attends their mawlid with the intention of tabligh — what is this act of Zayd? And what should Zayd do in such a situation? Some people say about the respected Haji (Haji Imdadullah ﵀)

Answer

It is not permissible for Zayd to take part in these gatherings of bid‘a for the sake of the interests of the madrasa. This has become like gathering people by playing musical instruments and then inviting them to prayer — there is no permission for that. It is not within our knowledge that the respected Haji permitted qiyam for the sake of running any madrasa.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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