Is it sunnah, on the day of the nikah, for the bride's family to invite the groom's family only?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

We assume that that the invite in reference refers to an invitation for meals. The only sunnah meal in relation to nikāh is walīmah, a meal provided by or on behalf of the groom.

The bridal family may invite the groom’s family and others on the day of nikāh as an expression of joy. However, this invitation is not to be considered sunnah.[1] Furthermore, the invitation

must be with a happy heart (not under social pressure, etc.),[2]

is not given as means of boasting or competing, and

should be free of non-Islamic practices i.e. singing, dancing, intermingling, extravagance etc.

Feeding those who are staying as guests in the bridal family’s home is also permissible, rather necessary.[3]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Hisham Dawood

Student, Darul Iftaa
Chicago, USA

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

www.daruliftaa.net