Answered by Shaykh Gibril F Haddad
My half brother is a non-Muslim from my fathers first marriage. He is getting married in a church soon. Am I ok to attend his wedding?
No, it is impermissible to attend a church ceremony except if one is called upon by one’s parents or grandparents — and then only from a distance as far as possible, or from outside the ceremony and its locale unless one wishes to be visited by the unblessedness of defying our Lord and disobeying Him; but if one’s intention is to avoid breaking the heart of one’s parents and to truly uphold filial and daughterly duty (there is no such duty to half-brothers) then one is protected even at the tables where imbibing goes on, as long as one attend such events with hearts full of sorrow and pity then get out; not indifference nor mindless gaiety as if all were just dandy. The key words here are “true intention.”
It is also impermissible for a pious Muslim or Muslima to attend functions or events where mixing and drinking alcohol occur unless they are pressed by their own parents and only if their participation is for filial or daughterly piety. The Religion of the Believer and her sense of right and beauty must prevail and are too high a standard to cheapen with idle socializing whether with relatives or strangers and whether at wedding parties or at funerals if one can help it. Allah knows best.
Hajj Gibril