Support IslamQA

Please contribute generously in order to ensure the continuity of our website InshaAllah.

Is it permissible to rent halls for wedding parties in hotels in which evils are widespread?

12-01-2010

Question 130671

Is it permissible for a Muslim to rent halls for wedding parties in hotels, when these hotels sell alcohol and evils are committed in them, but in the hall there will be no sales of alcohol and none of these evils? Is it permissible for me to go to those weddings which are held in those halls if I am invited to them? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Islam encourages the noblest and most sublime manners and conduct, and warns against those which are base and shameful; it enjoins avoiding corruption and evil by all possible means, and it enjoins keeping away from dubious matters and blocking the means that may lead to any evil or corruption. 

Frequenting these places in which alcohol is sold, haraam things are regarded as permissible and evils are widespread is something that must be warned against and not permitted, because of what it leads to of corruption, evil and temptation. 

It is not permissible to rent them for weddings or other occasions, because of what that involves of helping their owners in sin and transgression, by paying these huge amounts of money to rent these places, which they use to help them in their evil and corruption. 

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not enter the dwellings of those who wronged themselves unless you are weeping, lest there befall you something like that which befell them.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3381) and Muslim (2980). 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about a man who was regarded as a man of good character by the judges and he went out in the spring time, when the people gathered to watch some celebrations, and he saw evil being committed but was not able to stop it, and his wife also went out with him. Is that permissible and did it affect his good character? 

He replied: 

A person should not attend places in which he sees evil being committed and he is not able to denounce it, unless that is for a necessary, legitimate shar‘i reason, such as if there is something that he needs for his religious or worldly interests and he has no choice but to be present or he is forced to do so. But as for attending it just to watch and bringing his wife to see that, this is something that does affect his good character and dignity, if he persists in it. And Allah knows best. 

Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 28/239 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: 

We go to some Muslim restaurants in kaafir countries during our trips abroad, then we found out that they serve alcohol. What is the ruling on eating in these restaurants? 

The Shaykh replied: 

Do not stay in these hotels except in case of need, so long as alcohol is openly drunk there; and do not eat in these restaurants except in case of need. End quote. 

Majmoo‘ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 13/825.

Etiquette of Marriage Rulings on enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil
Show on Islam Q&A website.