Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
My cousin’s child’s birthday is coming up, and I know they’ll be playing music. I don’t usually spend much time with them. Please advise.
Answer
I pray you are well.
How about contacting them beforehand and requesting that they play some Nasheeds or some other permissible audio at the party? State that you wish to spend time with them but are feeling hesitant because of this.
Another alternative is to visit later in the day when it’s all over, or before or after the birthday party. That will probably be easier if your intention is to spend quality time with them.
Finally, however you get around it, intend to visit them for the sake of Allah, and take a small gift over. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, narrated that Allah, Most High, Himself said, “My love is incumbent on those who love each other for My sake; and those who sit with each other for My sake; and those who visit each other for My sake; and those who spend on each other for My sake.” [Malik, Muwatta’ Imam Malik]
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.