The Sermon at Weddings and the Ruling on the Hand Drum for Men
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
I mentioned in the program *Nur 'ala al-Darb* on the *Nida' al-Islam* radio station, when I was asked about speaking at weddings, and that these weddings are celebrations, and that there is a consideration regarding the speech. I mentioned that the hand drum is used at weddings without being restricted to women. Some people of weak character exploited this to claim that it is general for both men and women. Then, O honorable Shaykh, I see that a wedding speech that is not tedious and long, but rather concise, can be an opportunity if many people are present who might not attend the congregational prayer, and who may be weak in faith. They would gain much benefit and good from it. As many people have mentioned, one person committed himself to prayer because of a word spoken by one of the brothers at a wedding; he had not been praying in congregation before. What is your opinion? May Allah reward you with good.
My opinion in this matter is what I mentioned in *Nur 'ala al-Darb*: that some people impose themselves on wedding days to speak, to be verbose, to prolong the speech, and to bore people. Many people may dislike the good speech because of this man's behavior. People are of two types and a middle ground: some people enjoy the reminder even if it is long, some people do not enjoy it at all, some people enjoy it if it is short and are bored by it if it is long, and some people enjoy it from one person but not from another. People differ.
It is known that people come to weddings to show joy and happiness, to bring joy to the newlyweds, and to see one another. Perhaps some of them do not see each other except on this occasion. They have matters they wish to discuss freely, so the one who speaks and prolongs the speech becomes boring to people.
Then, we know that we are not more eager to convey the message to people and guide them than the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. Yet we have not been informed that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions would stand to preach to people on such occasions. Rather, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to A'ishah when a woman was brought to a man from the Ansar: "Was there any amusement with you? For the Ansar are a people who like amusement." This indicates that the matter is one of joy, not one of preaching. However, if a person sees an evil, then it is obligatory for him to stand up, forbid it, and speak about what benefits the attendees regarding this evil. Or if it is a well-known, famous person whose speech people look forward to and love to hear,A man from the people stood up and said: "O so-and-so! Tell us a story," or if they ask him a question and they open the door for questions and discussion, then that is good. But to make these occasions a place for sermons without people seeking that, and contrary to the guidance of the righteous Salaf, that is something to be considered. You know that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would alternate his preaching to his Companions so as not to bore them.
As for the matter of the hand drum, we do not issue a fatwa for men to use it, even though some scholars hold that it is permissible for men to use it, just as women do. Even Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) explicitly stated that, as transmitted by the author of *al-Furu'*, that it is for men and women. Nevertheless, we do not issue a fatwa that men should use it, because of the fear of dire consequences. Rather, we forbid this, because it leads to undesirable gatherings.
As for women, they are in the middle of the courtyards, inside the palace, and generally no harm occurs. Then, we strongly disapprove of photography of this gathering with a camera or video, and we disapprove of this most strongly.
And singing must be welcoming singing,As came in the hadith: "We have come to you, we have come to you, so welcome us and we welcome you," and the like.
My opinion in this matter is what I mentioned in *Nur 'ala al-Darb*: that some people impose themselves on wedding days to speak, to be verbose, to prolong the speech, and to bore people. Many people may dislike the good speech because of this man's behavior. People are of two types and a middle ground: some people enjoy the reminder even if it is long, some people do not enjoy it at all, some people enjoy it if it is short and are bored by it if it is long, and some people enjoy it from one person but not from another. People differ.
It is known that people come to weddings to show joy and happiness, to bring joy to the newlyweds, and to see one another. Perhaps some of them do not see each other except on this occasion. They have matters they wish to discuss freely, so the one who speaks and prolongs the speech becomes boring to people.
Then, we know that we are not more eager to convey the message to people and guide them than the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. Yet we have not been informed that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions would stand to preach to people on such occasions. Rather, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to A'ishah when a woman was brought to a man from the Ansar: "Was there any amusement with you? For the Ansar are a people who like amusement." This indicates that the matter is one of joy, not one of preaching. However, if a person sees an evil, then it is obligatory for him to stand up, forbid it, and speak about what benefits the attendees regarding this evil. Or if it is a well-known, famous person whose speech people look forward to and love to hear,A man from the people stood up and said: "O so-and-so! Tell us a story," or if they ask him a question and they open the door for questions and discussion, then that is good. But to make these occasions a place for sermons without people seeking that, and contrary to the guidance of the righteous Salaf, that is something to be considered. You know that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would alternate his preaching to his Companions so as not to bore them.
As for the matter of the hand drum, we do not issue a fatwa for men to use it, even though some scholars hold that it is permissible for men to use it, just as women do. Even Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) explicitly stated that, as transmitted by the author of *al-Furu'*, that it is for men and women. Nevertheless, we do not issue a fatwa that men should use it, because of the fear of dire consequences. Rather, we forbid this, because it leads to undesirable gatherings.
As for women, they are in the middle of the courtyards, inside the palace, and generally no harm occurs. Then, we strongly disapprove of photography of this gathering with a camera or video, and we disapprove of this most strongly.
And singing must be welcoming singing,As came in the hadith: "We have come to you, we have come to you, so welcome us and we welcome you," and the like.