The Ruling on the Mixing of Women and Men at Weddings

Question:
Your Eminence is asked about the ruling on men and women mixing at weddings, as well as beating drums, and he requests guidance for Muslims on this matter.

Answer:
It is not permissible for men and women to mix, neither at weddings nor in other occasions. Rather, they must be distinguished. If there is a need for a woman to be in the market or in the mosque with people, she must be covered, and she must be separated from the men, behind the men in prayer. In the markets, there should be a market for them alone. If there is a need for a woman to go to the men's market for a necessity, she should be covered, not displaying her adornment, and far from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) in order to fulfill her need. As for being heedless at a wedding or elsewhere by displaying one's adornment or participating in drumming or other such things, all of this is disliked and not permissible. Women must be kept separate and men separate, if there is a need for that, as in prayer, where they pray behind the men, covered and far from the causes of fitnah and from men. Likewise, in the markets, there should be a market for them alone for their needs. If there is a need for a woman to go to the men's market, let her be covered and far from the causes of fitnah until she fulfills her need.