When is it obligatory to accept an invitation to a wedding feast, and what is the ruling if one is specifically designated or sent a card?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh: The question is: Accepting an invitation is obligatory, and this refers to the invitation to a wedding feast. Some people designate [the invitee] directly, meaning they say, "Do not forget," addressing him directly. Others instruct another person to contact a specific individual, saying, "Call so-and-so so that he comes to the wedding feast." There are also invitation cards. Is accepting all of these obligatory, or is some of it merely recommended?
The Shaykh : The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) said: It is obligatory to accept the invitation to a wedding feast the first time, meaning the first feast, if he is designated, whether by the host himself, by his agent, or by a card sent to him, on the condition that there is no evil in the feast. If there is evil in it, there is a detailed ruling: if he can prevent the evil by attending, he must attend; if he cannot, it is not permissible for him to attend.
As for cards that are distributed generally, without it being known that they were sent to him specifically, it appears that accepting the invitation is not obligatory, because many people send cards to people merely as a courtesy or to announce that they have a wedding feast. However, if you know that he sent you this card because he wants you to attend due to kinship between you or friendship, it is obligatory for you to attend. Yes, yes, very good.
The Shaykh: The question is: Accepting an invitation is obligatory, and this refers to the invitation to a wedding feast. Some people designate [the invitee] directly, meaning they say, "Do not forget," addressing him directly. Others instruct another person to contact a specific individual, saying, "Call so-and-so so that he comes to the wedding feast." There are also invitation cards. Is accepting all of these obligatory, or is some of it merely recommended?
The Shaykh : The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) said: It is obligatory to accept the invitation to a wedding feast the first time, meaning the first feast, if he is designated, whether by the host himself, by his agent, or by a card sent to him, on the condition that there is no evil in the feast. If there is evil in it, there is a detailed ruling: if he can prevent the evil by attending, he must attend; if he cannot, it is not permissible for him to attend.
As for cards that are distributed generally, without it being known that they were sent to him specifically, it appears that accepting the invitation is not obligatory, because many people send cards to people merely as a courtesy or to announce that they have a wedding feast. However, if you know that he sent you this card because he wants you to attend due to kinship between you or friendship, it is obligatory for you to attend. Yes, yes, very good.