Author: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmed Rabbani (حفظہ اللہ)
"And it has already been revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah denied and ridiculed, do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together."
[Surah An-Nisa: 140]
This verse clearly instructs that if one attends gatherings where the commands of Allah are mocked, without objecting to it, they become complicit in the sin.
In another verse, Allah says:
"And when you see those who engage in offensive discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people."
[Surah Al-An'am: 68]
According to Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan, while this command is addressed to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), it is applicable to every Muslim. This command extends to any gathering where the teachings of Allah and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) are disrespected. One may attend such gatherings to correct wrongs or speak the truth; otherwise, it is strictly sinful and invites the wrath of Allah.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his companions disliked and disapproved of participating in gatherings that involved prohibited actions. As narrated in a hadith:
Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ عنہ) prepared food and invited the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). When the Prophet entered, he saw a curtain with images and left, saying: "Angels do not enter a house in which there are images."
[Sunan an-Nasa'i: 5353]
From this hadith, we learn that if one is invited to a gathering where impermissible activities are known to be present, they should not attend. If they find out upon arrival, they should leave.
Hazrat Aisha (رضی اللہ عنہا) narrated:
"I bought a cushion with images. When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) came, he stood at the door and did not enter. I said, 'I seek Allah's forgiveness for my sin.' He asked, 'What is this?' I replied, 'I bought it so you could sit on it.' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, 'Those who make these images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection; it will be said to them: 'Bring to life what you have created.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 5957; Sahih Muslim: 2107]
This authentic narration reinforces that if there is a violation of religious commands at a gathering, one should not participate unless they intend to correct the wrongdoing.
In another hadith, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not sit at a table where wine is served."
[Musnad Ahmad: 126; Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 4/288; Jami' at-Tirmidhi: 2801]
Imam Hakim and Imam Dhahabi graded this narration as authentic, and Shaykh Al-Albani also declared it authentic.
Once, a Christian chief from Syria invited Hazrat Umar (رضی اللہ عنہ) for a meal, and he replied:
"We do not enter your churches because of the images in them."
[Sunan al-Bayhaqi: 7/268]
Similarly, Abu Mas'ud (رضی اللہ عنہ) was invited, and he asked, "Is there a picture in the house?" When the host said yes, Abu Mas'ud refused to enter until the image was removed. [Sunan al-Bayhaqi: 7/268]
Imam Al-Awza’i stated:
"We do not attend a feast where there are drums and musical instruments."
[Adab al-Zifaf by Al-Albani]
In conclusion, attending weddings or gatherings where Allah's commands are openly disregarded is disapproved in Islam unless one attends to rectify the wrongs. Otherwise, such attendance is considered sinful and displeasing to Allah.
Question:
In today's society, many weddings disregard the commands of Allah and His Messenger. On the other hand, we have a prophetic instruction to accept invitations. Is it religiously mandatory to attend such weddings?Answer:
Allah Almighty says in the Quran:"And it has already been revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah denied and ridiculed, do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together."
[Surah An-Nisa: 140]
This verse clearly instructs that if one attends gatherings where the commands of Allah are mocked, without objecting to it, they become complicit in the sin.
In another verse, Allah says:
"And when you see those who engage in offensive discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people."
[Surah Al-An'am: 68]
According to Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan, while this command is addressed to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), it is applicable to every Muslim. This command extends to any gathering where the teachings of Allah and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) are disrespected. One may attend such gatherings to correct wrongs or speak the truth; otherwise, it is strictly sinful and invites the wrath of Allah.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his companions disliked and disapproved of participating in gatherings that involved prohibited actions. As narrated in a hadith:
Hazrat Ali (رضی اللہ عنہ) prepared food and invited the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). When the Prophet entered, he saw a curtain with images and left, saying: "Angels do not enter a house in which there are images."
[Sunan an-Nasa'i: 5353]
From this hadith, we learn that if one is invited to a gathering where impermissible activities are known to be present, they should not attend. If they find out upon arrival, they should leave.
Hazrat Aisha (رضی اللہ عنہا) narrated:
"I bought a cushion with images. When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) came, he stood at the door and did not enter. I said, 'I seek Allah's forgiveness for my sin.' He asked, 'What is this?' I replied, 'I bought it so you could sit on it.' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, 'Those who make these images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection; it will be said to them: 'Bring to life what you have created.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 5957; Sahih Muslim: 2107]
This authentic narration reinforces that if there is a violation of religious commands at a gathering, one should not participate unless they intend to correct the wrongdoing.
In another hadith, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not sit at a table where wine is served."
[Musnad Ahmad: 126; Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 4/288; Jami' at-Tirmidhi: 2801]
Imam Hakim and Imam Dhahabi graded this narration as authentic, and Shaykh Al-Albani also declared it authentic.
Once, a Christian chief from Syria invited Hazrat Umar (رضی اللہ عنہ) for a meal, and he replied:
"We do not enter your churches because of the images in them."
[Sunan al-Bayhaqi: 7/268]
Similarly, Abu Mas'ud (رضی اللہ عنہ) was invited, and he asked, "Is there a picture in the house?" When the host said yes, Abu Mas'ud refused to enter until the image was removed. [Sunan al-Bayhaqi: 7/268]
Imam Al-Awza’i stated:
"We do not attend a feast where there are drums and musical instruments."
[Adab al-Zifaf by Al-Albani]
In conclusion, attending weddings or gatherings where Allah's commands are openly disregarded is disapproved in Islam unless one attends to rectify the wrongs. Otherwise, such attendance is considered sinful and displeasing to Allah.