Aqaaid

Pre school children being made to wear a graduation cap and robe on their awards day

Q: As is the trend in some pre schools, the children are made to wear a graduation cap and robe on their awards day to say they have completed grade R.

Some say the concept of the hat and robe is one of Egyptian/Islamic origin and has Islamic connotations.

1. Is it permissible to make the grade R students of an Islamic school wear the hat and robe?

2. What would be an appropriate, Islamic way of acknowledging their achievements?

3. Further, is it permissible for Muslims who qualify with degrees at universities to wear the above?

Please advise regarding the above.

Talking to Allah Ta'ala

Q:

1. Is it a sin and a spiritual disease to talk to Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa) all the time verbally or in heart? Does it count as talking too much? And can one talk to Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa) about things that are not related to Deen, like when someone see a bird or an animal or something permissible to see, they say to Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa), "What a beautiful bird You have made."

2. How casually can one speak to Allah (SubhaanaHu Wa Ta'alaa)? I have had very little friends and I don't talk a lot with my parents nowadays. But, I speak casually to Allah (SubhaanHu Wa Ta'alaa) like He is a friend. I don't speak with disregard for His station, that is He is our Master. I also see Him like a child sees a parent, like a caretaker. Is it permissible to speak casually? I'll feel depressed if I can't.