The Ruling on the Hand Drum at Wedding Feasts and Celebrations

Question:
A woman asks: What is the ruling on the hand drum at a wedding feast, and at gatherings and celebrations? Please give us a ruling, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Using the hand drum to announce the marriage is permissible; in fact, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). It is to be played by women, not by men, singers, or male or female vocalists. It is to be played by women, who sing simple, plain songs without melodic ornamentation or composition. It is merely decent poetry recited by the women present, or some of them, and their voices are not raised for the men to hear. No loudspeaker is used; it is kept among the women for the purpose of announcing the marriage.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The hand drum is mentioned in one narration, and in another narration, the sieve is mentioned. The sieve is the hand drum. The women used to do this during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Nothing is to be added to this, such as bringing in male or female singers, recordings, or loudspeakers, or bringing in music. All of this is forbidden (haram). This is not the announcement of the marriage. This is amusement and play. Yes, the announcement is achieved by striking the hand drum only, so that the neighbors and those far away hear the striking of the hand drum and say, "This is the marriage of so-and-so and so-and-so." Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you,