Ruling on Reciting Poetry at Wedding Celebrations and Men’s Dancing
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Some people at wedding celebrations gather, and they have some poets who exchange some poetry, but it contains no foolishness, no indecency, and no corruption. Is this permissible, especially since it is sometimes accompanied by clapping, and sometimes by drums or hand drums?
As for mere poetry recitation, if it does not contain slander in the verse or exaggeration in the praise, there is nothing wrong with it. The people used to recite poetry in the mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), passed by while Hassan ibn Thabit was reciting poetry in the Prophet’s Mosque, he glanced at him,So Hassan said: [You used to recite poetry in it, and in it was one better than you] meaning: the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). However, if dancing or drums follow it, this is not permissible, because dancing is for women, and it is not permissible for men to imitate women. And drums are a musical instrument, and musical instruments are forbidden except for what is specified by evidence, such as the hand drum in occasions.
The questioner: Specifically for women in occasions?The Shaykh: No, not for women nor for men. But in the matter of the wedding, we do not issue a ruling on it out of fear of the prohibited. But for example, if a person of value arrives in the town, there is nothing wrong with beating the hand drum for his arrival, and likewise for the festival.
The questioner: Clapping?The Shaykh: I do not like clapping, but it is not forbidden. If it is just clapping like this, I do not see it as forbidden.
The questioner: And the dance is called the war dance?The Shaykh: The warriors will dance?! The swords are above them, and it says: They dance? What is this talk?! The questioner himself: They call it the war display?The Shaykh: The war display is fine, but there is no dancing in it.
The questioner: Dancing, but it does not resemble women.
The Shaykh: I do not know; I have not yet entered this into my mind.
As for mere poetry recitation, if it does not contain slander in the verse or exaggeration in the praise, there is nothing wrong with it. The people used to recite poetry in the mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), passed by while Hassan ibn Thabit was reciting poetry in the Prophet’s Mosque, he glanced at him,So Hassan said: [You used to recite poetry in it, and in it was one better than you] meaning: the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). However, if dancing or drums follow it, this is not permissible, because dancing is for women, and it is not permissible for men to imitate women. And drums are a musical instrument, and musical instruments are forbidden except for what is specified by evidence, such as the hand drum in occasions.
The questioner: Specifically for women in occasions?The Shaykh: No, not for women nor for men. But in the matter of the wedding, we do not issue a ruling on it out of fear of the prohibited. But for example, if a person of value arrives in the town, there is nothing wrong with beating the hand drum for his arrival, and likewise for the festival.
The questioner: Clapping?The Shaykh: I do not like clapping, but it is not forbidden. If it is just clapping like this, I do not see it as forbidden.
The questioner: And the dance is called the war dance?The Shaykh: The warriors will dance?! The swords are above them, and it says: They dance? What is this talk?! The questioner himself: They call it the war display?The Shaykh: The war display is fine, but there is no dancing in it.
The questioner: Dancing, but it does not resemble women.
The Shaykh: I do not know; I have not yet entered this into my mind.