Fatwa ID: 04926

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question

Assalamu Alaykum, I would like to know that walima is sunnah from the groom’s side but is it up to the groom who to invite, or does the bride have the right to invite on that day as well. If the bride cannot invite, in the Asian culture there is something called a wedding and another walima. What would it be, sunnah? For her to invite on wedding and sunnah for the groom on walima?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that the Walima should be done after the marriage has been consummated. (Bazlul Majhood p.32 v.2 & Faidhul Bari p.300 v.4)

However, if the marriage cannot be consummated for one reason or the other and the Walima is performed after the marriage contract then the reward of Walima will Insha Allah be fulfilled. (Fatawa Uthmaani p.303 v.2 & Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband p.167 v.7)  

Regarding the second part of your question, there is total flexibility from the Shariah when it comes to who can invite for the wedding and Walima. There aren’t any rigid or strict rules but are all based on the custom (urf) of the area. In other words in some Asian cultures, the bride’s family provides a meal on the wedding day and the Walima is performed afterward by the husband. It is generally understood that the groom’s family will be inviting other family members and friends on the wedding day the same way the bride’s family will be inviting their relatives and friends on the Walima day. On top of that, the hosts for the two functions have knowledge of this and they prepare the meal accordingly. There is nothing wrong with this as long as the hosts are happy with it.

It is worth noting that when it comes to dealing with family-related issues, one should be diplomatic and tolerant as long as it is within the boundaries of the Shariah as breaking family ties are considered to be a sin in Islam.

Saaiduna Jubair Bin Mutim Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam  A person who severs family ties will not enter paradise. (Sahih Muslim)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham