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Is it permissible to teach in a Catholic school?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The Shariah ruling for working in a school administered by Christians varies depending on the nature of the school:

1. If the school is religious (for graduating priests and monks): It is absolutely impermissible to work in it, even for teaching secular subjects, because that would be considered assisting them in their disbelief (kufr). 2. If it is a regular, ordinary school under Christian administration that focuses solely on teaching the Gospel: It is permissible to work in it, provided that one adheres to Islamic rulings such as hijab, performing acts of worship, and maintaining good character, and refrains from showing loyalty to the disbelievers. The Muslim's aim should be to invite to the truth and free people from polytheism (shirk).

It is impermissible to work in it in the following cases: If it imposes Christian rituals. If it is co-educational (mixed between men and women). If one fears for oneself from doubts and deviation due to mingling with Christians.

In these cases, one must leave the work therein to safeguard one's religion and preserve oneself, in compliance with the words of Allah Almighty: (O YOU WHO HAVE BELIEVED, DO NOT FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF SATAN).

Attention must be paid to the danger of these schools if they are opened in Muslim countries, as they are a hidden tool of colonialism and a path to corruption.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy