The Ruling on Free Mixing of Men and Women at Wedding Celebrations

Question:
He says: It is one of our customs at celebrations for some men to play the drum for the women, and sometimes the man is bare-chested and bare-bellied. What is your opinion on that?

Answer:
This is not permissible. This is a bad practice among women. Women play the hand drum among themselves at celebrations only, without loudspeakers and without female singers among them. The hand drum, which they call the tar, has only one face. This is permissible among women specifically, as was done in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and after him.
As for the drum, it is not permissible for women or for men. The drum is one of the prohibited instruments of amusement. It is not permissible for a man to play among women, whether bare-chested or bare-bellied; this is absolutely prohibited. Rather, this is for the men to follow. His work should be with the men in competitions or in things that are permissible by the Shari'ah, and there is no harm in that. But with women, no. He should not be with women and should not play with them. Rather, he should stay away from that, because sitting with them involves fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) for him and for them all. Therefore, it is obligatory to stay away from this matter. Yes.