Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله)
Question:
What is your opinion regarding holding events in hotels?
Answer:
① Events held in hotels are accompanied by numerous negative consequences. Such gatherings generally result in wasteful extravagance and unnecessary expenditures.
② Hotel-based events, especially wedding banquets (walīmah), often involve lavish display, excessive costs, and the inclusion of unrelated people.
③ These events can also become a reason for the mixing of men and women in improper and inappropriate ways.
For these reasons, a board of distinguished scholars submitted a resolution to the Saudi ruler. In the interest of public benefit and sincere advice, it was recommended to prohibit holding wedding ceremonies and walīmah events in hotels. People should instead hold these gatherings in their homes, avoiding the wastefulness and extravagance of hotel events, which can lead to multiple forms of corruption.
It was further recommended to extend this prohibition to wedding halls that are rented at exorbitant prices. This proposal aimed to protect the public interest, safeguard the country’s economy, and eliminate wastefulness so that middle-class people could also afford to marry without falling into debt and undue burdens.
When someone sees his cousin or relative hosting a lavish hotel event, he feels compelled to match or exceed these unnecessary displays, leading to heavy debts and distress. Alternatively, he may be discouraged altogether from pursuing marriage due to fear of these burdens.
My advice to all my Muslim brothers is: Do not host such events in hotels or expensive wedding halls. Rather, simpler venues—like modest halls or the homes of family and relatives—are far better and more appropriate.
And Allah knows best.
Question:
What is your opinion regarding holding events in hotels?
Answer:
① Events held in hotels are accompanied by numerous negative consequences. Such gatherings generally result in wasteful extravagance and unnecessary expenditures.
② Hotel-based events, especially wedding banquets (walīmah), often involve lavish display, excessive costs, and the inclusion of unrelated people.
③ These events can also become a reason for the mixing of men and women in improper and inappropriate ways.
For these reasons, a board of distinguished scholars submitted a resolution to the Saudi ruler. In the interest of public benefit and sincere advice, it was recommended to prohibit holding wedding ceremonies and walīmah events in hotels. People should instead hold these gatherings in their homes, avoiding the wastefulness and extravagance of hotel events, which can lead to multiple forms of corruption.
It was further recommended to extend this prohibition to wedding halls that are rented at exorbitant prices. This proposal aimed to protect the public interest, safeguard the country’s economy, and eliminate wastefulness so that middle-class people could also afford to marry without falling into debt and undue burdens.
When someone sees his cousin or relative hosting a lavish hotel event, he feels compelled to match or exceed these unnecessary displays, leading to heavy debts and distress. Alternatively, he may be discouraged altogether from pursuing marriage due to fear of these burdens.
My advice to all my Muslim brothers is: Do not host such events in hotels or expensive wedding halls. Rather, simpler venues—like modest halls or the homes of family and relatives—are far better and more appropriate.
And Allah knows best.
