What is the best to do at a wedding: holding a scholarly seminar, giving general advice, or doing neither?
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The questioner : And this person asks: Is it better at a wedding to hold a scholarly seminar or give a general speech to everyone that includes admonition and advice, or is it better not to do so?
The Shaykh : Because the people only attended for the enjoyment, joy, and happiness, and perhaps some of them did not respond to the other except on this occasion, and there is something in his heart that he wants to talk to him about, and so on. But if a person is invited to speak a word, then he speaks. If it is said: "O so-and-so, may Allah reward you with good, admonish us with what Allah has given you, or from what Allah has given you," then there is no blame on him. Or if he sees something wrong, then it is obligatory for him to stand up and speak, admonish, and call to leaving this wrong. But as long as he has not been asked, not requested to speak, and has not seen a wrong that requires speech, it is better to leave people to their affairs and let some of them talk to each other. Because if they attend and there is only admonition, and some people have words in their hearts that they love to speak with their companion whom they have not seen except on this occasion, the opportunity is lost. And it is not befitting for a person to burden people and bore them. Rather, when he sees them eager for the word, let him speak. And if he sees that they are not eager, it is better that he not speak. Because if he speaks and the people are eager for his speech, their hearts absorb this speech, like dry land that water comes to. But if it is difficult for them and he bores them, then this is not befitting. Yes.
The Shaykh : Because the people only attended for the enjoyment, joy, and happiness, and perhaps some of them did not respond to the other except on this occasion, and there is something in his heart that he wants to talk to him about, and so on. But if a person is invited to speak a word, then he speaks. If it is said: "O so-and-so, may Allah reward you with good, admonish us with what Allah has given you, or from what Allah has given you," then there is no blame on him. Or if he sees something wrong, then it is obligatory for him to stand up and speak, admonish, and call to leaving this wrong. But as long as he has not been asked, not requested to speak, and has not seen a wrong that requires speech, it is better to leave people to their affairs and let some of them talk to each other. Because if they attend and there is only admonition, and some people have words in their hearts that they love to speak with their companion whom they have not seen except on this occasion, the opportunity is lost. And it is not befitting for a person to burden people and bore them. Rather, when he sees them eager for the word, let him speak. And if he sees that they are not eager, it is better that he not speak. Because if he speaks and the people are eager for his speech, their hearts absorb this speech, like dry land that water comes to. But if it is difficult for them and he bores them, then this is not befitting. Yes.