When our friends or relatives host functions with mixed gatherings, should we attend these for the sake of maintaining the relationship (taluqaat)? Because if we don’t then there will be hard feelings amongst us, causing severance of ties, and even breakage of the relationship. If the relationships break, then we cannot promote the Dawat-e-Tabligh among such people, and educate them.
A person should not be concerned about relations when they are at the cost of compromising the divine law or the relationship with Allah. Mixed gatherings are not permissible, we don’t consider participating in them appropriate. Therefore, we would not participate in this gathering. But if it becomes difficult because, let’s say, we are junior to them or smaller than them in age and otherwise then what can be done is that a person should go in the beginning and congratulate whoever, give a gift, and then leave. This can be done either in the beginning or at the end of the ceremony to avoid any participation in impermissible activity. Also, this way no one would be offended and the duty of showing participation in the moments of happiness is also fulfilled. This is not about keeping up relationship with relatives; it is about keeping up relationship with Allah.
In every age, whenever people tried to adhere to the divine law, people were either upset with them or went against them. So, we should not be worried about this.
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