Title: Walimah Question: Kindly give legal position of Waleema in Islam. Authenticity and implication of sayings of Holy prophet (pbuh) in this regard. If compulsory, who should arrange this ceremony? Waleema can not be held until & unless there is intimate relationship occurs between husband & wife, is it true? Need help. Answer: Walimah does not form part of the prescribed marriage customs in Islam. Entertaining people on the occasion or leaving it does not make any difference. The Prophet [pbuh] is reported to have exhorted Ali [rta] and Abdul Rahman Bin Auf to entertain people on the occasion even if they could slaughter only a goat. This does not prove that arranging such a party is necessary part of the Nikah ceremony. Almost all of the Muslims scholars and the commentators of the Hadith works have understood it to be a desirable thing, but not an obligation. This desirability is with respect to a general declaration of the new marriage in the relatives of the two people getting married and as an indication of including one's relatives and social contacts in one's happiness. Union between two persons means a lot to them and their families. It is significant for them regarding their worldly life and helps them live a chaste life. This is no doubt considered a time of rejoicing in all cultures. Man's desire to throw a party at such joyous occasions is very natural indeed. In the social and cultural tradition of the Arabs of the time, the male partner would bear all financial burdens of the family. Therefore bridegrooms would take this responsibility too. However, the bride can also fully or partially share the costs because Islamic Shari'ah has not introduced any rules in this regard. As regards the matter of the time of the Walimah , the couple is left with an open choice to decide upon a convenient time. Some of the scholars believe that the ceremony should be held prior to consummation of marriage and some others suggest that it should be held afterwards. Yet some others believe that this has no link whatsoever with the consummation of marriage and can be held before or after it. We also believe that the question of consummation is not relevant here. The difference of opinion is not based on firm grounds and the whole debate is over the time the Prophet [pbuh] held Walimah parties at his different marriage contracts, which of course he did according to his convenience. However, Muslims hold this ceremony only after the bride starts living with the husband. Regards, Tariq Mahmood Hashmi June 10, 2004