The Word Waleemah, Its Linguistic and Technical Definition (2/2)

The Amount of the Waleemah and What It Consists of

Based   on what   the  Prophet  (peace  be upon him)  said to Abdul Rahman   ibn  Auf,   "Give  a wedding  feast even if it just  be a sheep,”   the scholars   say  that  it  is  preferred    for  one   who has the means  to offer a feast  of  no  less  than a sheep. However, it is confirmed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself had a wedding feast for one of his wives with something less than a sheep.

AI-Bukhari  recorded  from Safiyyah  bint Shaibah  who said, "The Prophet   (peace   be   upon him)  gave a wedding  feast  for one of his wives with  just   two  mudds[1]  of barley."[2] AI-Bukhari also recorded that the Prophet (peace be upon him) freed Safiyyah and married her, with her dowry being her freedom.  He gave a wedding feast for her consisting of hais.[3]  Hais is a meal made up of dates mixed with dry yogurt, flour or butter. That is how it is defined in Fath al-Baari[4]

Al-Qaadhi Iyaadh stated:

The [scholars] agree that there is no upper limit to what may be given as a wedding feast.[5] The same is true for its minimum amount. Whatever is easy upon the person will suffice.  The preferred feast is what in accordance with the ability of the husband.[6]

As for its length, it is two days long. The early scholars differed over having it for more than two days.  Some disliked it while others allowed it.[7]

The issue differs depending on the person and the customs of the people.[8]

The Invitation to Attend the Waleemah

It is the practice   in Islam   for the husband to feed, his family, companions   and neighbors    during   the waleemah.  He should   also set aside a portion   for the poor and indigent as a way of expressing   thanks to Allah and recognizing   Allah’s bounty upon him.

The husband must   also do his best to invite the pious and good people.   He also should not distinguish between the rich and poor.  The Prophet (peace be upon   him) has prohibited such a practice.  

Abu Hurairah stated, "The worst   food is the food of the wedding feast in which only the   rich are invited and the poor are avoided.  And whoever does not respond to the invitation has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger."[9] Although this is a statement of a Companion, in its ruling it is treated as having its source with the Prophet (peace be upon him).

AI-Nawawi stated in Sharh Saheeh Muslim:

"This   is  stating what  the  people   did  after  him   [the  Prophet   (peace    be upon him)]  of tending   to  the  rich   in their  dinners  and other events.  They would  invite them  in  particular  and give them preference in having the best  food and the  best  places to  sit  and  so  forth, as is the case in most  dinners.  And Allah Alone is the one who can be resorted to for help.”[10]

On  this  point,  ibn Masood  said, "If only the rich  are invited  and the  poor   are  left  out,  we  have   been  ordered  not to respond  to such an invitation."  

Ibn Bataal said, "If the host distinguishes between the rich and poor and feeds   each one separately, there   is no harm in that.  Ibn Umar did such.” [11]