What is the ruling on wedding celebrations, the segregation of men and women, women's songs at the celebration, and the couple taking commemorative photos for absent family members to see?

Wedding celebrations are permissible, and it is legislated to hold a wedding feast (walima), publicize the marriage, and play the daff (tambourine). However, they may become unlawful or disliked if they include transgressions. Segregation between men and women is required. If the celebration is exclusively for women, then it is legislated for them to sing and play the daff, and anything that expresses joy and happiness within the bounds of Islamic law, without committing acts forbidden by Allah, such as indecent music and the exposure of awrah (private parts).

Contemporary scholars have differed on the ruling of photography and video recording, and the fatwa adopted by us is that it is permissible. However, it is safer not to photograph women, as their pictures might be circulated and cause severe harm to them and their families. Nevertheless, this does not prohibit photography; the basic principle is permissibility unless seen by someone for whom it is unlawful to look. The matter is lighter for men.

Regarding family members looking at photos: It is permissible for men to look at men, and for women to look at women, while covering their awrah. It is forbidden for a man to look at a woman, even without lust. It is permissible for a woman to look at a man, excluding his awrah, according to the more correct opinion, though refraining from it is more cautious.

As for keeping photos for memory: It is safer to avoid it to steer clear of scholarly disagreement. Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, considered it to be forbidden.