Waleemah generally refers to some feasting in a ceremonial occasion usually involving a relatively large number of people. More specifically in the Sharee'ah, it refers to the banquet that follows an 'Aqdun-Nikkaah (discussed in previous editions). Here inshaa Allaah, we shall examine the ruling of the Waleemah, the time of its performance and other 'lslaarnic etiquettes regarding the ceremony.
Its Ruling
Humayd (RAH) reported that he heard Anas bn Maalik (RA) say, 'When the Muhaajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah) arrived Madeenah, they put up with the Ansaar (the residents of Madeenah) and AbdurRahmaan bn Awf put up with Sa'd bn Rubay' and he (Sa'd) said to him, 'I will divide my wealth with you and leave for you one of my wives (for you to marry).' He said, 'May Allaah bless your wealth and family.'
So he (Bn Awf [RA]) left for the market, traded and made some profit from cheese and butter and married. So, the Messenger - (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) - said:
'Make Waleemah even if you only slaughter a sheep. "'(Bukhaari and Muslim).
Also, Husayb (RAH) reported that, 'When Ali (RA) proposed to marry Faatimah (RA), the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
'Certainly the newly weds have to make Waleemah. ' (Ahmad).
Based on these narrations, al-Imaam ash-Shawkaanee (RAH) said:
"That which is apparent from the commands (of the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is that it is obligatory." (Naylul-Awtaar4/506).
Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar (RAH) said:
"Some of the scholars of Shaafi'yyah say that it is obligatory since the Messenger ( sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) commanded Abdurrahman bn Awf (RA) to do it and the fact that to attend to its invitation is obligatory so it is obligatory." (Fathul-Baaree 9/287).
On the other hand, some of the Scholars also say that the commands to make Waleemah by the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) only implies recommendation since the feast is due to happiness and so it is like any other feasting. They also state that a minimum of a sheep was ordered to be slaughtered in the narration of Ibn Awf.,(RA) and it is agreed upon that to slaughter a sheep is not obligatory and as such the Waleemah is not obligatory.
Al-Imaam Ibn Battaal said, "I do not know anyone who says it is obligatory."
'Amr AbdulMun'im Saleem quoted a similar statement from al-Imaam Ibn Qudaamah (RAH) and stated that the hadeeth of Ali and Faatimah (RA) above is weak and is as such not suitable for evidence. (Fathul-'Azeez I 18-9).
In response, al-'Allaamah Siddeeq Hasan Khaan (RAH) said, "No text is reported which can imply the lay-off the commands to put up a Waleemah from its real meaning (of obligation).
As for the minimum sheep requirement, it is possible that his actions (of having some of the Waleemah of some of his wives without a sheep) lay-off the obligation if its rule was not restricted (to Ibn Awf) and it is also possible that the command to slaughter a sheep and above is restricted by the ability to do it. So, it becomes obligatory when one is able." (At-Ta'leeqaatur-Raadiyyah 3/138).
Concerning the statement of al-Imaam Ibn Battaal (RAH), it is obvious that the Imaam was probably unaware of the position of the differing Scholars who ruled its obligation even when some of them were of his Madhhab. Thus, al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar (RAH) said, "He missed out the narrations from his Madhhab concerning its obligation reported by al-Qurtubee." (Fathul-Baaree 9/287). His statement is surely faulty.
As for the weakness mentioned of the hadeeth of Ali and Faatimah (RA) above, the statement is also weak. This is due to the fact that all the narrators in every level of the transmission are narrators clearly mentioned to be reliable and were relied upon by al-Imaam Muslim in his Saheeh.
Above all, the text of the report had not been mentioned to be Munkar (a narration that is rejected due to its contradicting other established texts). For such a narrator, al-Imaam al-Albaani RH said:
"He is a Sadooq (trustworthy reporter) and his narrations are suitable as proof." (Tamaamul-Minnah 25).
From all the above, it is evident that the Messenger - Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him – actually commanded that Waleemah be made which implies an obligation and that the explanations presented to lay-off this basic rule of obligation are weak. Allaah Knows Best.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited