When should the marriage party(Walima) be given?
The marriage party, or Walima, is an important celebration in Islamic marriage customs, traditionally held after the marriage contract is finalized. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and its timing is generally understood to be on the first day after the marriage has been consummated.
In the Shia tradition, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated: The wedding feast on the first day is a right, on the second day it is commendable; anything beyond that is show and ostentation.
Al-Kafi 3:225 This indicates that the first day is particularly significant in establishing the Walima as a right, while the second day holds a recommended status.
In Sunni sources, the practice of holding a Walima is recognized, but specific hadith detailing the exact timing may not be as clearly defined in the retrieved references. The general understanding is that it should occur soon after the marriage, particularly once the couple has begun their life together.
Thus, the Walima is ideally given on the first day after the marriage has been consummated, with the second day also being commendable, while exceeding this may lead to perceptions of ostentation.
Sources
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Al-Kafi 3:225
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 225
Whoever leaves Mecca without intending to return to it has neared his death and his punishment has come near. — OR — I heard Abu Ja'far say, 'Whoever walks with a funeral procession until the prayer is performed over the deceased and then returns will have one qirat of reward. But whoever walks with it until the burial will have two qirats. And a qirat is like the mountain of Uhud.' — OR — The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: The wedding feast on the first day is a right, on the second it is something commendable, and anything beyond that is ostentation and show. — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) about a man who broke into a house and was caught before he took anything. He said, "He will be punished, but if he was caught after removing belongings, the punishment is the amputation of the hand." I also asked him about a man caught carrying a bundle of clothes which the owner claimed belonged to him. He said, "The amputation would be averted unless there is clear evidence against him, in which case the hand is cut. The hand and the foot are cut, then no further amputation is done, but if he repeats the offense, he is imprisoned and supported from the Muslim treasury."
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