Fatwa No : 95342
Opening a ceremony involving illicit matters with the recitation of the Quran

Opening a ceremony involving illicit matters with the recitation of the Quran

My name is Hasan Ali, and I am a student in the Department of Pharmacy at Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan. Our department regularly organizes various events, such as welcome parties for junior students, farewell parties for graduating seniors, and other programs.
At some of these events, activities such as music, dancing, and other practices that may be considered non-compliant with Islamic teachings are also included. On such occasions, I or other students are sometimes asked to begin the program with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an.
In this regard, I would like guidance on the following:
Is it Islamically permissible to begin such programs with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an when the event is expected to include music, dancing, or other impermissible activities subsequently?
If it is permissible, what are the limits and conditions governing such recitation? If it is considered impermissible or disliked (Makruh), what is the Islamic legal reasoning behind that ruling?
Jazakumullah Khaira

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

If the primary purpose of the gatherings and parties mentioned in the question is merely to engage in singing, music, and other forms of frivolous or impermissible entertainment, then it is not Islamically permissible to begin such events with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an. Rather, doing so would itself be considered sinful.
However, if the primary purpose of these gatherings and parties is not singing or musical entertainment, and such activities are only included incidentally, then although there is scope for beginning the event with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an, even in this case, however, it is preferable that the recitation be accompanied by its translation, as this may have a positive spiritual impact on the audience and could touch the hearts of those present.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

ففي البزازية : والمجلس الذي اجتمعوا فيه للغباء والرقص لا يقرأ فيه القرآن كما لا يقرأ في البيع والكناس لأنه مجمع الشيطان اھ (۶/ ۳۳۸)۔
و في الفتاوى الهندية: الكلام منه ما يوجب أجرا كالتسبيح والتحميد وقراءة القرآن والأحاديث النبوية وعلم الفقه وقد يأثم به إذا فعله في مجلس الفسق وهو يعلمه لما فيه من الاستهزاء والمخالفة لموجبه وإن سبح فيه للاعتبار والإنكار وليشتغلوا عما هم فيه من الفسق فحسن اھ (5/ 315)۔