Participation in Non-Shar‘i Circumcision Gatherings and Ruling on Accepting Invitations
Reference: Fatāwā Rashidiyyah, Page 513
❖ The Question
In present times, it has become customary that when a wealthy man’s son or grandson undergoes circumcision (ṭuhr), a large feast is organized similar to a wedding, in which un-Islamic practices are sometimes included.
What is the ruling on participating in such gatherings and accepting their invitations?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
The ruling regarding such gatherings is:
If the ceremony includes—
◈ Beating of drums,
◈ Singing by women,
◈ Various rituals and innovations,
◈ Acts of obscenity,
—then it is not permissible to participate in such events nor to accept their invitations.
✔ Qur’anic Evidence
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ﴾ (المائدة: ٢)
“Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression.”
✔ Evidences from Hadith
✿ Prohibition of Accepting Invitations from the Disobedient:
((عن عمران بن حصين قال نهى رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم عن اجابة طعام الفاسقين.))
Al-Ṭabarānī in al-Awsaṭ, vol. 1, p. 138, ḥadīth no. 441
✿ Curse upon Those Engaged in Acts of Disobedience:
((عن علی رضی الله عنه قال حدثنى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بأربع كلمات لعن الله من لعن والديه ولعن الله من ذبح لغيرالله ولعن الله من اوى محدثا ولعن الله من غير منارالأرض.))
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Aḍāḥī, Bāb Taḥrīm al-Dhabḥ li-Ghayrillāh wa-La‘n Fā‘ilihi, ḥadīth no. 5124
✿ Honoring Innovators Is Assisting in the Destruction of Islam:
((عن ابراهيم بن ميسرة مرسلا قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من وقر صاحب بدعة فقد اعان علي هدم الاسلام.))
Al-Bayhaqī, Shu‘ab al-Īmān, vol. 7, p. 61, ḥadīth no. 9464
✿ Conclusion
Therefore, participation in such gatherings and acceptance of their invitations is impermissible, since it amounts to cooperation in sin and innovations.
ھذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
