The Ruling on the Hand Drum and Dancing for Women at Weddings

Question:
The questioner says: Is it permissible to attend wedding parties that include the hand drum? We ask for your guidance. Also, is dancing permissible for women?

Answer:
The hand drum is a recommended practice in marriage, at the wedding celebration. It is recommended for women to use the hand drum. This was done in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) attended it. It is part of announcing the marriage, so there is nothing wrong with attending it. There is nothing wrong with listening to the usual songs that do not contain obscenity; there is no blame in that. It is recommended to attend, and it is also recommended to use the hand drum, because all of this falls under the category of displaying the marriage. There is also nothing wrong with dancing, provided that only women are present, among women; there is no blame in that.

The presenter : Regarding the loudspeakers that are usually placed at wedding parties, do you have any guidance?

The Shaykh : There is no blame in that if they are used to make the sound audible to the women. If the celebration is large and they need loudspeakers, there is nothing wrong with it. However, the sound should not be ... audible to the markets or to men. This should be observed: it should be to the extent of the need, to the extent of the need of the female listeners. This is the more cautious approach.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence the Shaykh.