Most-asked question

What is the sunnah way to hold a walimah?

24 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 4 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, AskImam, Azaadville, DU Newcastle). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“1. The waleemah meal is to be fed after the couple have met in privacy. It may take place on the same day or the day thereafter,when friends and family gather to celebrate the joy of the marriage. Poor people and ulema should also be”

DU Newcastle — When Is Waleemah Sunnah? · 1 Oct 2015

“The Sunnah of waleemah takes place through the husband feeding after the nikaah is consummated. In all the nikaahs of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), the waleemah was always carried out by Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).”

Mufti Online — The practice of joint waleemahs · 25 Feb 2019

“Waleemah should be held within the first three days after seclusion or spending the night together, because after the three days it will be considered as a general invitation for meals, not a Walimah.”

Azaadville — Delaying A Waleemah · 20 Feb 2023

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Waleemah and secret nikaahs Mufti Online · 26 Sep 2019
  2. When Is Waleemah Sunnah? DU Newcastle · 1 Oct 2015
  3. Is Waleema only Masnnon and permissible after SUHBAT ? AskImam · 16 Mar 2015
  4. Delaying A Waleemah Azaadville · 20 Feb 2023
  5. The practice of joint waleemahs Mufti Online · 25 Feb 2019
  6. How did Rasoolulullah (SAW) and the Sahabah carry out wedding festivals (i.e. Waleemah)? AskImam · 23 Sep 2004
  7. Women attending waleemah functions Mufti Online · 6 Feb 2019
  8. Waleema in the upper level of the Musjid Mufti Online · 25 Mar 2013
  9. Spending money on décor on the occasion of waleemah if a person has the money Mufti Online · 2 Nov 2024
  10. Waleemah before sexual relations Mufti Online · 28 Jan 2020
  11. Moderation in waleemah Mufti Online · 23 Jan 2019
  12. Having the waleemah one week after nikaah Mufti Online · 25 Sep 2018
  13. Conducting nikaah and waleemah on the same day Mufti Online · 22 Jul 2018
  14. Waleemah and feeding after nikaah Mufti Online · 1 Apr 2018
  15. Conducting the Waleemah before the nikaah is consummated Mufti Online · 5 Jan 2018

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