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''Walima'' ( ar, وليمة '), or the
marriage
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...
banquet, is the second of the two traditional parts of an
Islamic
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God (or '' Allah'') as it was revealed to Muhammad, the mai ...
wedding. The ''walima'' is performed after the ''
nikah
In Islam, nikah is a contract between two people. Both the groom and the bride are to consent to the marriage of their own free wills. A formal, binding contract – verbal or on paper – is considered integral to a religiously valid Islami ...
'' ( ar, نكاح) or marriage ceremony. It designates a feast in
Arabic. ''walima'' is used as a symbol to show domestic happiness in the household post-marriage.
[World faiths, Teach yourself - Islam. By Ruqaiyyah Maqsood. . Page 179/180.] While walima is often used to describe a celebration of marriage, it is also held to celebrate the birth of a newborn and the purchase of a new home. As per shariah, Walima only takes place where the groom and bride resides.
Debate: The Time of ''Walima''
Scholars have different views on what the correct time of ''walima'' is. The timing varies by culture and opinion; for example some believe it should take place:
* at the time of the wedding contract ''(nikah)''
* after ''nikah'' and prior to
consummation
In many traditions and statutes of civil or religious law, the consummation of a marriage, often called simply ''consummation'', is the first (or first officially credited) act of sexual intercourse between two people, following their marriage t ...
* at the time of the wedding procession (
Ibn Hajar,
Fath al-Bari
''Fatḥ al-Bārī fī Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī'' ( ar-at, فتح الباري, lit=Grant of the Creator) is a multi-volume commentary on the Sunni hadith collection ''Sahih al-Bukhari'', composed by Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani Shafi. Conside ...
, 9/287)
* after consummation.
Other uses of ''Walima''
Walima in literal translation means "to assemble" and is used to describe an assembly or party celebrating major life events. Walima is essentially interchangeable with American and English terms such as: wedding reception or celebration (when held to celebrate a marriage), birthday party (when held to celebrate the birth of a newborn), or housewarming party (when held to celebrate the purchase of a new home). Similarly, walima is generally interchangeable with other languages/cultures terms that essentially mean to assemble for the purposes of celebrating a marriage, newborn, or new home. While it is an Arabic term, it is not necessarily a term reserved for Muslims per se, as the word simply describes the event that is to be celebrated.
See also
*
Islamic view of marriage
In Islam, nikah is a contract between two people. Both the groom and the bride are to consent to the marriage of their own free wills. A formal, binding contract – verbal or on paper – is considered integral to a religiously valid Islami ...
*
Nikah
In Islam, nikah is a contract between two people. Both the groom and the bride are to consent to the marriage of their own free wills. A formal, binding contract – verbal or on paper – is considered integral to a religiously valid Islami ...
*
Nikah urfi
Nikah 'urfi ( ar, نكاح العرفي) is a "customary arriage contractthat commonly requires a walī (guardian) and witnesses but not to be officially registered with state authorities. Couples repeat the words, "We got married" and pledge co ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
The Fiqh Of Walima
Marriage in Islam
Wedding traditions
Islamic terminology