Ruling on Firing Gunshots and Releasing Birds to Announce Joy

Question:
Firing gunshots into the air at weddings?

Answer:
If it is for learning, there is no harm; it is not play, if it is for learning and practice.
Q: He says, firing guns at weddings? On the wedding night, they do these gunshots?
The Shaykh: If it is for learning, learning to shoot, there is no harm. But if it is to waste money without benefit, then that is not permissible.
Q: They make it an announcement of joy, firing some of the bullets?
The Shaykh: Some people in some southern countries may do this, but it has reached me now that a group of people informed me that harm and killing may occur in it. The shooter may miss, and killing may result from it. So if harm results from it, it must be prevented. It is upon the authorities, if it is in a country where harm is feared from it, to prevent it.
As for if it is for learning to shoot, like what the Abyssinians do, learning with swords and spears and shields and firing into the air without harm to anyone, then there is no harm. But if harm is feared from it, it is upon the one in authority to prevent it wherever it is, if there is harm to anyone.
Q: In some weddings, they release birds...?
The Shaykh: And what is the reason?
Q: They release birds in front of the women, pigeons and sparrows?
The Shaykh: Leaving it is better. This is something new. It may be imitating some of the disbelievers.
Q: That is the apparent ruling, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh: It should be left. If there is imitation, it is obligatory to leave it. Also, the celebration has an announcement in it; the presence of the celebration and the presence of the wedding feast is sufficient for the announcement, and praise be to Allah.