What is opinion of Islam for following scenario: 1. Nikkah will be held in advance. 2. Rukhsati and Valima Dinner will be held on the second day. Please note that Bride and Groom will not spend any time together in privacy. Is it permissible in Islam to offer Valima Dinner without Rukhsati? Another dimension, families of Bride and Groom want to share the expenses of valima dinner. Is this allowed?
Answer:
(Fatwa: 255=253/M)
Obviously, nikah will take place in advance. However, it is allowed to hold walima (marriage feast) before meeting of the spouses, but it is afzal (preferable/better) to hold walima after the groom and bridegroom spend some time in privacy. Rukhsati and walima can take place the day after nikah. Walima is sunnah from bridegroom; therefore he should bear the expenses of it.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband