Is it permissible to attend a banquet where forbidden acts (munkarat) occur?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Wedding Feast
Primary text
Attendance and eating at a banquet where a forbidden act is known to occur is permissible if the individual is physically separated from the place of the forbidden act, or if the forbidden acts are concealed during their presence. Ahmad affirmed this permissibility, though his apparent position suggested abstaining might be preferable, stating one is not sinful for refusing if the host has violated their own right to be obeyed by allowing the forbidden act. However, if the person attends, they are not sinful because they neither see nor hear the forbidden act.
Supporting text
The obligation to accept an invitation is negated if the host engages in forbidden acts, as the host invalidates their own right to obedience by permitting the forbidden act. Yet, acceptance is not absolutely forbidden if the invitee neither sees nor hears the transgression.