Excerpt from the book: Ahkām wa Masā’il – In the Light of Qur’an and Sunnah by Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani
Your article “Sharʿī Status of the Wedding Feast” was read with interest. In it, you have discussed the ruling of the walīmah in detail. However, the actual issue under discussion today, also debated in newspapers, is the feast arranged by the bride’s family in a wedding hall. Kindly elaborate on this matter in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah to dispel public misconceptions.
Had you read the article attentively, you would have found the answer to this question therein.
According to the Qur’an and Sunnah, the only wedding-related feast that is Sharʿī-sanctioned is the walīmah, and I have provided multiple evidences for it in that article. I also mentioned briefly the types of feasts outlined by Muḥammad Thānī, which makes it clear that:
The practice where the groom’s family brings a procession (barāt) to the bride’s house, and
The bride’s family invites guests and arranges a large-scale feast for them –
has no basis in Islam.
I have already discussed in Ghuzwah (the publication) that the modern-day concept of "barāt" does not exist in Islam, and we find no precedent for it in the era of the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors).
The only feast that is authenticated and legislated at the time of marriage is the walīmah, as was practiced during the marriage of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and the Prophet ﷺ also instructed his Companions to hold walīmah.
Therefore, this is the only type of invitation (daʿwat) that is Sharʿīly permissible and established on the occasion of marriage—
whether it is held in a wedding hall, a house, or a courtyard (ḥawelī).
All other types of feasts, such as those held by the bride’s family, are cultural innovations (non-religious customs) and carry no Sharʿī justification.
❖ Question:
Your article “Sharʿī Status of the Wedding Feast” was read with interest. In it, you have discussed the ruling of the walīmah in detail. However, the actual issue under discussion today, also debated in newspapers, is the feast arranged by the bride’s family in a wedding hall. Kindly elaborate on this matter in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah to dispel public misconceptions.
❖ Answer:
Had you read the article attentively, you would have found the answer to this question therein.
According to the Qur’an and Sunnah, the only wedding-related feast that is Sharʿī-sanctioned is the walīmah, and I have provided multiple evidences for it in that article. I also mentioned briefly the types of feasts outlined by Muḥammad Thānī, which makes it clear that:
The practice where the groom’s family brings a procession (barāt) to the bride’s house, and The bride’s family invites guests and arranges a large-scale feast for them –has no basis in Islam.
✿ The Concept of Barāt and its Absence in Islam:
I have already discussed in Ghuzwah (the publication) that the modern-day concept of "barāt" does not exist in Islam, and we find no precedent for it in the era of the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors).
✿ What is Sharʿīly Established?
The only feast that is authenticated and legislated at the time of marriage is the walīmah, as was practiced during the marriage of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and the Prophet ﷺ also instructed his Companions to hold walīmah.
Therefore, this is the only type of invitation (daʿwat) that is Sharʿīly permissible and established on the occasion of marriage—whether it is held in a wedding hall, a house, or a courtyard (ḥawelī).
All other types of feasts, such as those held by the bride’s family, are cultural innovations (non-religious customs) and carry no Sharʿī justification.
Conclusion:
- ✔ The only wedding feast supported by Qur’an and Sunnah is the walīmah, which is the groom’s responsibility.
- The extravagant feasts hosted by the bride’s family, especially in wedding halls, have no Sharʿī basis.
The modern-day barāt culture and corresponding celebrations by the bride’s side are not part of Islamic tradition.
