Question: (1/a) Walimah is it a mandatory thing for the groom if his financials don’t support him. (b) If it is mandatory what is the maximum time after the nikah for the Walimah fest to be done? (2) Can it be done with only few important members of the family?
ANSWER :
Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !
(1/a) Walimah is not obligatory; rather, it is a Sunnah. After the nikah, once the husband and wife have met, it is recommended to invite relatives and friends the next day and offer them food according to one’s capacity.
(b) Walimah is considered Sunnah if held within two days of the bride’s arrival. After two days, it is no longer a Sunnah Walimah, but simply a regular meal or gathering. It should be noted that the Sunnah of Walimah is fulfilled even by offering food to a few people according to one’s capacity. Hosting an elaborate feast, inviting a large number of guests, and going to unnecessary extent in arrangements are not required.
(2) Even feeding a few close family members is sufficient to fulfill the Sunnah of Walimah. In fact, a statement of Hazrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (may Allah have mercy on him) is recorded in Tazkirat-ur-Rashid that after the bride arrives, whatever food the household consumes is also counted as part of the Walimah. (تذكرة الرشيد، ص1/229 قبل عنوان: دوسرا حج، ط؛ اشاعت العلوم، محله مفتي، سہارنپور)
في الهندية: ووليمة العرس سنة، وفيها مثوبة عظيمة، وهي إذا بنى الرجل بامرأته ينبغي أن يدعو الجیران والأقرباء والأصدقاء، ويذبح لهم، ويصنع لهم طعاماً، وإذا اتخذ ينبغي لهم أن يجيبوا، فإن لم يفعلوا أثموا .. ولا بأس بأن يدعو يومئذ من الغد وبعد الغد، ثم ينقطع العرس والوليمة. (كتاب الكراهية، الباب الثاني عشر في الهدايا والضيافات 5/ 397 ط؛ الاتحاد) فقط والله تعالى اعلم
