Secular Education

Studying Darwin’s theory knowing that it is false

Q: If a scholar gives a very strict fatwa regarding something related to shirk, but all the other trustworthy and reputable scholars give a more balanced and moderate fatwa, then if I follow the opinion of the scholars who gave the balanced fatwa, will I become a disbeliever or sinner? 

For example, when studying Darwin’s theory—if someone studies it while keeping in mind that it is false, and only continues studying it for academic purposes, and this opinion is supported by many scholars—But one scholar says that such studies are "trash" and that there’s no need to study them as it could harm one’s faith. 

In that case, if I follow the balanced fatwa and not the harsh one, will I be considered a disbeliever or a sinner?

Doing an assignment regarding LBQTI+

Q: The following is from an assignment of someone doing B.Ed Honours:

"You want to investigate how LBQTI+ learners find safe spaces in the school and plan to interview them using a snowball sampling technique. Discuss the ethical considerations that will inform your research project. Attend to the following in your response:

• An overview of the issues of LBQTI+ in education (100 words)
• Ethics in research (300 words)
• Doing research with vulnerable groups (500 words)
• Issues of confidentiality, anonymity and privacy (500 words)"

What are the effects that these types of assignments/exams will have on the state of a Muslim's imaan?

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.