Answered by Shaykh Amjad Rasheed
Why is it unlawful for a woman to dance if this is her husband’s wish?
Whether a man or a women, whether for the husband or for someone else, it is unlawful to dance like the effeminate do. It is unlawful because the Muslim should be distinguished from the corrupt in his action and character, for if one imitates them in one thing, it becomes easy for one to follow them in other things. The Sacred Law aims at protecting the Muslim individual from immorality in both words and deeds.
However, if one’s dancing is free of the effeminate movements, it is neither unlawful nor offensive -as stated by Ibn Hajar in al-Tuhfa- because it is just motions made while standing or bowing. The Prophet- may Allah bless him and give him peace- also allowed the dancing of the Abyssinians in his mosque on a Eid day as narrated by the two sheikhs (m. al-Bukhari and Muslim).
– Amjad Rasheed
(Translated by Abu Muhammad al-Rahil)