Question: I was told that a celebration or a dinner is obligatory after the nikah or the city hall marriage. And if you do not do this, the marriage is not valid. Is this true?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى اله و اصحابه اجمعين
Answer: The feast that is held after marriage is called Walīmah in Islamic terminology. Walīmah is a Sunnah, not an obligation (wajib ) However, many blessed Ahadith mention its virtues and strongly encourage it. Therefore, Walīmah may be held within three days after the wedding night.
It should be clear that not holding a Walīmah is not a sin. Rather, according to the stronger opinion, performing Walīmah is recommended (mustahabb). Not holding a Walīmah does not affect the validity of the Nikah; the marriage remains valid.
Even if, after the wedding night, a brief and simple meal is arranged for a few friends, relatives, or household members, the Sunnah will be fulfilled.
Regarding the Sunnah and recommended nature of Walīmah, Sayyidi A‘la Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
“Walīmah after Nikah is Sunnah. The صيغة امر (form of command) has also been mentioned regarding it. The Prophet ﷺ said to ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘اولم ولو بشاۃ’ — ‘Hold a Walīmah, even if it is with a single sheep.’ Both meanings are possible, though the first is more apparent. However, it is from the recommended Sunnahs (سنن مستحبہ — sunan mustahabbah), and the one who leaves it will not be sinful as long as he believes it to be حق (ḥaqq — true and established).”
(Fatāwā Riḍawiyyah, Volume 11, Page 278, Riḍā Foundation)
Answered by the Hafiz-e-Millat team
Verified by Maulana Nazim Qadri
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