Q: Is it appropriate to read a qiraat at a walimah venue where women are generally not dressed correctly despite being in a separate venue (from the men).
Any additional advice for these kinds of occasions will be highly appreciated
A: If there is no intermingling of sexes found in the gathering, and there is nothing impermissible and against Shari'ah taking place at the venue, then it is permissible for a qiraat to be recited at such a venue. If there are impermissible things found in the venue viz. videoing, music, intermingling of sexes, etc. then it will not be permissible to recite the Qur'aan in such a venue.
Nevertheless, even if there is nothing impermissible found in the venue, we do not feel it appropriate and keeping to the honour and respect of the Qur'aan that a qiraat be recited in these gatherings. The reason is that the desired level of adab is generally not shown to the qiraat in these gatherings, as some people are engaged in speaking at that time, while others are playing with their phones, some people not dressed appropriately, and overall, the qiraat is taken as a mere entertainment and pastime before the food is served. Allah Ta'ala forbid - at times, due to the food being delayed, the qiraat is merely recited to fill in the time.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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