Is Hadith authentic?
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was invited to a walimah [marriage feast]. When he arrived at the house, he heard singing. He halted at the door. He was asked: ‘Why have you halted?’
He replied, I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) say:
‘He who increases the number of a crowd is of them. He who is pleased with an act of the people is a partner in its commission.’
Answer
There are two parts to this quotation;
1) The words of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam): ‘He who increases the number of a crowd is of them. He who is pleased with an act of the people is a partner in its commission.”
This is reliable and has been previously answered. See here.
2) The related incident in which Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu’anhu) left that invite due to the evil (music) found therein.
This is recorded with a chain of reliable narrators, albeit a broken chain, which will render it weak. However, weak chains fir such incidents are totally acceptable.
(Hukmul ‘amal bid dha’if, pg.122 & 129)
There is another similar incident also recorded about Sayyiduna Abu Dharr Ghifari (radiyallahu’anhu), wherein he too refused to remain in such a walimah gathering that had music in it.
(Kitabuz zuhd of Ibnul Mubarak, see Nasbur Rayah, Hadith: 7779).
A Lesson
These Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhuma) have given the ummah a practical lesson in that although the Walimah feast is a sunnah, it cannot be contaminated with other wrongs( music, photography, intermingling etc) as that will render that act as haram.
It is quite unfortunate that many do not take heed of this! To openly perpetrate such vice is very dangerous.
Even worse is when such hosts invite people of knowledge or piety to such walimahs or functions in which the harams cited above are found, thereby insulting their presence and forcing them to leave the venue. This -in addition to being unethical- is also an insult to the guest.
May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to follow the sunnah of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) in all aspects of our lives.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar