for her in having to conceal herself from him. This is what analogy dictates if his slave is not among those without sexual desire. Elsewhere, he permitted the man to enter her presence provided he was not free, but was a slave belonging to her and her husband, or to someone else. This is juristic preference rather than analogy, taking account of the differing opinions. Allah grants success.

Section on Attending Amusements

It is not permissible deliberately to attend any amusement or play, or any stirring musical entertainment, such as drumming, piping, and the like, because Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“And when they hear idle talk, they turn away from it.” [al-Qasas: 55]

And He says:

“What is there beyond the truth except error?” [Yūnus: 32]

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Every diversion in which a believer engages is vain except three.” These three are a man’s playing with his wife, training his horse, and shooting with his bow.

An exception is unanimously allowed at weddings for the frame drum, also called the ghirbāl. Concerning the kabar drum and the mizhar, there are three views: permitting them all, disapproving of both, or permitting the kabar but not the mizhar. Some say this permission applies to women but not men; others say it applies to both women and men. There is also disagreement over whether this belongs to the category of permissible acts whose performance and omission are equivalent, or to the category of permissible acts better left undone. Allah grants success.