The Ruling on Playing and Dancing at a Wedding Celebration

Question: What is the ruling on playing at a wedding, such as the *khatwah* and dancing without a drum or anything similar to that?

Answer: It is prescribed to announce a marriage with the hand drum and the customary songs among women at night. This falls under the category of announcing the marriage contract so that it does not become illicit intercourse. Therefore, if women sing among themselves with their customary songs praising the husband, or the wife’s family, or the like, or if they play the hand drum among themselves without mixing with men, there is nothing wrong with that. As for dancing, if a woman dances among her women, among her sisters, there is nothing wrong with it. As for the *khatwah*, we do not know what the *khatwah* is. We do not know this *khatwah*. But if the *khatwah* means dancing among women, or if it means preparing a wedding feast for the relatives, then there is nothing wrong with that. The questioner should clarify what the *khatwah* is. What is the *khatwah*? He should clarify its nature.