Is attendance obligatory when invited to a feast where sins are present, such as wine or musical instruments?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Wedding Feast
Primary text
Attendance is obligatory upon the one invited to a feast containing a recognized transgression, such as wine, flutes, or lutes, if they are capable of condemning the evil and removing it. This is because by attending, the person fulfills two obligations: responding to the invitation of a Muslim brother and removing the reprehensible act. If one is unable to remove the evil, attendance is not required. If one attends without prior knowledge of the sin, they must attempt to remove it; if unable, they must leave. This is the position stated by Al-Shafi'i. The ruling is established upon the narration of Safinah that when the Prophet, peace be upon him, was invited, he placed his hand on the doorposts and turned back upon seeing an ornamented curtain (qiram) in the house, stating it was not appropriate for him to enter a decorated house. Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not sit at a table where wine is circulated." Another evidentiary basis is the narration of Nafi' that Ibn Umar put his fingers in his ears upon hearing a shepherd's flute, deviating from the path until he was certain the sound was gone, stating this is what he witnessed the Messenger of Allah do.
Supporting text
Imam Malik permits remaining if the entertainment is light, such as a drum (diff) or bellows (kayr), a view also held by Ibn al-Qasim. Al-Asbagh holds that one should leave. Abu Hanifa permits remaining to eat if the musical play is present. Muhammad ibn al-Hasan prefers that one who is looked up to should depart. Al-Layth stated that if the performance involves the oud, one should not witness it.