TI0007 - English - Participating in the assembly that is against the tenets of Islam

Participating in the assembly that is against the tenets of Islam

Does participating in wedding events, programs, parties etc of brothers from other faiths, go against the tenets of Islam? Is participation allowed despite the wedding being conducted by taking dowry (from the bride)?


Generally, with respect to occasions and parties in the household of brothers of other faiths, when conducted if there are no acts that go against the tenets of Islam; then there is nothing wrong in participating in such events.

If one goes to a place where the acts happen which are against the tenets of Islam, then our duty remains to help stop that. On accounts of one’s inability to do that duty, then it is necessary to avoid such place.

And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so 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 -
[Al Quran, Chapter 4, Verse 140]

If we participate in an assembly where wrong/evil acts being committed, even if we don’t commit such evil acts, in the eyes of Allah we would be considered as partners in committing such acts. Therefore, we should not go to any assemblies, where such wrong acts are being performed.

It is narrated on the authority of Tariq b. Shihab:
It was Marwan who initiated (the practice) of delivering khutbah (address) before the prayer on the 'Id day. A man stood up and said: Prayer should precede khutbah. He (Marwan) remarked, This (practice) has been done away with. Upon this Abu Sa'id remarked: This man has performed (his duty) laid on him. I heard the Messenger of Allah as saying: He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
Reference  : Sahih Muslim 49 a
In-book reference  : Book 1, Hadith 84
USC-MSA web (English) reference  : Book 1, Hadith 79
http://sunnah.com/muslim/1/84
(The above is also announced by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri in Muslim)
Arabic/English book reference  : Book 1, Hadith 184
https://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/1/184

No one can deny that taking dowry (from bride) is an act of social cruelty. For such evil acts, as per the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) the act of staying away to abhor/despise it by heart is the least in terms of eeman(faith). Unable to even do this simplest act, instead one going ahead to participate in such weddings, consuming in such parties, is a matter of damaging one’s own eeman (faith).

For the one who takes dowry (from the bride) in a cruel manner, how to make one realize that it is an immoral act? One needs to think over, by consuming such feast provided by him/her, would it help in making one realize of the mistake?

This rule applies the same to the non-Muslim wedding event as well. In order that, they should also be made to realize that it (dowry) is a social cruelty, we certainly have to turn away from such wedding functions.

Translated by: Brother Abu Abdul Baari
The original article (Tamizh): https://www.facebook.com/notes/thowheed-translations/tamizh-participating-in-the-assembly-that-is-against-the-tenets-of-islam/197398070771526/