The Ruling on the Mixing of Men and Women at Weddings

Question:
In Sudan and in some other Arab countries, we have customs such as the displays at wedding occasions, and dance parties with girls and men. Please inform us: is this correct or not?

Answer:
As for the wedding celebration with the women separate, and the presence of dancing by one of them among them without the presence of men or the men seeing it, there is nothing wrong with that. Likewise, the men seeing the groom off to the wife’s family’s house, where they eat food with them, or drink tea with them, or something similar to that, there is nothing wrong with that. As for the mixing of women and men at the wedding occasion, this is wrong and not permissible. Likewise, the groom staying with the women is wrong and not permissible. In fact, it is obligatory to prevent that, and it is not lawful. It is one of the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), so it is an apparent wrong that is not permissible. May Allah be our helper. Yes.