Convert attending his brother’s wedding party

Convert attending
his brother’s wedding party

Alhamdulillah, I am a convert to Islam. My
family are still, however, christian. My brother is getting married and this involves a
religious service in a church followed by a meal. I have told my family that I cannot
partake in the  religious service. I wish to know if Islam allows me to attend the
meal with my wife and child, where some alcohol may be served to some christians with the
meal. If it is not allowed then what advice can you give me. Please give the answer with
evidence.

The issue is of great importance since I have been estranged from my father (by his
choice) for 7 years and I am trying to invite them to Islam.

Jazakallah khayran

 

Praise be to Allaah.

1. We praise Allaah for having guided you to Islam and we
ask Him to complete His favour by helping you to be steadfast and by guiding your family
to Islam.

You are doing the right thing by not attending the religious service in
the church, because taking part in religious proceedings of non-Muslims is, at the very
least, a major sin, and could lead to kufr.

With regard to attending your brother’s wedding party where alcohol
will be served with the food, we advise you not to take part as you say. Attending such
parties is haraam and is a major sin. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “…
then after the remembrance sit not in the company of those people who are the zaalimoon
(polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.)” [al-An’aam 6:68].

The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand [by taking
action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with
his heart [by feeling that it is wrong] – and that is the weakest of faith.” (Narrated
by Muslim, 49).

When you take part in such events, you will not be able to
change the evil actions with your hand or your tongue – in most cases – so all
you can do is change it with your heart, and you cannot be really doing so if you are
taking part.

The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him not sit at a table where wine
is being drunk.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 14241, and classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel, 7/6).

The reason why it is forbidden – as it appears – is that sitting
with them implies that you condone the evil action.

4. Apart from the fact that these things are forbidden, if the brother
makes these compromises, this will weaken his efforts to call his family to Islam. The
more sincere the daa’iyah is towards himself and to His Lord, the stronger his
efforts to call others will be. But if he compromises and vacillates, this will make him
look less trustworthy in the eyes of others.