Time of Walimah

Question:-

How long after the Nikah should the Walimah be performed?

Can it be a week after the Nikah, and will the condition be that the couple cannot meet until three days before the Walimah?

Answer:- 

Walimah is celebrated the day after the newlywed couple have spent some time together in seclusion. This is the Sunnah which is proven from the narration of Bukhari Sharif wherein Hadrat Anas Radiallahu Anhu states that, when Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam married Hadrat Zainab Bint Jahsh Radiallahu Anha, then Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam invited people the next day and fed them. Once the couple have spent time together in seclusion, the Walimah should be celebrated the next day, or the following day.

ووليمة العرس سنة وفيها مثوبة عظيمة وهي اذا بني الرجل بامراته ان يدعو اجيران والاقرباء والأصدقاء ويذبح لهم ويضع لهم طعاما – – – – –

وَلَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يَدْعُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ مِنْ الْغَدِ وَبَعْدَ الْغَدِ، ثُمَّ يَنْقَطِعُ الْعُرْسُ وَالْوَلِيمَةُ، كَذَا فِي الظَّهِيرِيَّةِ. (الفتاوي الهندية ص343 ج5)

There are other views as well such as celebrating Walimah at the time of Nikah, after the Nikah, and after intimacy. However, it is Makrooh to celebrate the Walimah after two days have elapsed.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 24 Safar 1444 / 21 September 2022