Is it necessary to celebrate the Walimah on a large scale?

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the scholars of Islam say regarding the following issue: If someone is not capable of holding a Walimah ceremony on a large scale, and instead, after the night of consummating the marriage, he has some food cooked and invites some members of his in laws for a Walimah meal, will his Walimah be classed as valid? Please provide guidance.

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

   In the aforementioned scenario, the Walimah will be considered as valid, because Walimah does not require huge arrangements to be made. However, it is better for the husband to make arrangements for the Walimah ceremony in accordance to his ability.

It is mentioned in a Hadees of Sahih Bukhari: The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: ‘Perform Walimah, even if it may be with a goat.’ (Bukhari, vol. 2, p. 777, summarised)

   ‘Allamah Ibn-e-Hajar ‘Asqalani رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states under this blessed Hadees: ‘Qadi ‘Iyaad رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه has said that the Scholars are unanimous that there is no maximum limit to the extent of the Walimah ( feast). Likewise, there is no affixed minimum level of the Walimah either. In fact, whatever is available will suffice. However, it is Mustahab for the husband to hold the Walimah ceremony according to his ability.’ (Fath-ul-Baari, vol. 9, p. 293)

   It is mentioned in Mirat-ul-Manajih: ‘We learn from this Hadees that holding a Walimah is Sunnah and it should be in accordance to the ability of the husband. There is no stipulated amount for this.’ (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 5, p. 72, summarised)

   It is stated in Fatawa Amjadiyyah: ‘It is not necessary to make huge arrangements in order to fulfil the Sunnah of holding a Walimah. If two or four individuals are fed something small, even if it does not satiate them, be it lentils and chapatti or chutney and chapatti or even less than this, the Sunnah will be fulfilled. And if he is completely incapable of arranging anything, he will not be guilty at all.’ (Fatawa Amjadiyyah, vol. 4, pp. 224-225, summarised)

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

Answered by: Mufti Abu Muhammad Ali Asghar Attari Madani