Q 2: Is it permissible for Muslim men to beat the Duff (a tambourine-like instrument without bells)?

(Part No. 19; Page No. 115)  A: Announcing marriage is a Sunnah (a commendable act), as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Announce the contract of marriage." (Related by Ahmad and is regarded as Sahih [authentic] by Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim) One of the means of announcing marriage for women - not men - is to beat the Duff, as it was reported that women of the first generation did so. There are some Hadith about beating the Duff at weddings. For example, it is related by Al-Tirmidhy on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Announce the contract of marriage, using the tambourines." The Sanad (chain of narrators) includes `Isa ibn Maymun whose narration is classified as weak. The Hadith is also related by Ibn Majah with Khalid ibn Iyas whose narration is rejected. Moreover, it is related from other narrators but none of them can be taken as a proof. That is why the Hadith cannot be evidence supporting the permissibility of men beating the Duff. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.