asalamualaykum muftisahab, My cousin is getting married, INSHAALLAH, in Decemeber. He has some questions regarding walima: 1. Is it OK to hold walima the day of the nikah? 2. Is it compulsory for the bride and groom to (after nikah)spend some time alone or one night togethor before walima?? 3. After the nikah, when to hold the walimah according to sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhamad (PBUH)? 4. Is there some time deadline to hold the walimah?? example within 7 days after the nikah?? Please reply at the earliest. Jazakallahu khaire.
Answer
(Fatwa: 2379/1892=H/1429)
The walimah feast is basically sunnah after the spouses meet privately though for a short time, whether the walimah is on Nikah day or within three days of Nikah or meeting of spouses. However, according to one opinion, walimah is valid after Nikah before meeting of spouses.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband