Dancing: Is Traditional Dance at Weddings Permissible — and Can One Attend?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Dancing: Is Traditional Dance at Weddings Permissible — and Can One Attend?

English:

Question #1160:

Is it permissible to dance the traditional dancing in wedding parties and what is the view on taking part in such parties?

Answer #1160:

Men’s dancing is – by obligatory caution - ḥarām. If a woman’s dancing among women is categorised as lahw - e.g. the woman’s gathering becomes a dancing gathering, it is problematic and should be – by obligatory caution – avoided. If dancing entails sexual excitation or committing a ḥarām act (like ḥarām music/singing), a non-mḥram man is there, or leads to bad consequences, it is not permissible. As far as this rule is concerned, there is no difference between wedding parties and other gatherings. If participating in dancing parties is done by way of supporting the commission of ḥarām by others or leading to committing a ḥarām act, it is not permissible either. Otherwise, there is no harm in it.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Dancing