The Law of Holding a Wedding Reception and Some of the Lessons

 

The Law of Holding a Wedding Reception and Some of the Lessons

Walimatul urs or wedding receptions are things recommended by syara' for married couples who have made a marriage contract. Many scholars say that the law is sunnah muakkadah (a highly recommended sunnah). The purpose of holding a walimah itself is to announce the marriage to the public, be grateful for the wedding favors, and share happiness with the invited guests. More than that, another goal is to strengthen social sensitivity and ukhuwah Islamiyah in society.

Why is walimah said to be one of the means to strengthen social sensitivity and ukhuwah Islamiyah ? Because it is reflected in some hadith literature. It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah and his companions worked together to help shahibul walimah (people who held walimah).

Among them are in the authentic hadith narrated by Imam al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim from the companions of Anas bin Malik ra. The hadith tells about the story of the Khaibar War in which there is the marriage of the Prophet with Shafiyah bint Huyay. Then the Prophet SAW held a walimah and ordered the companions to bring whatever food they had, be it dates, cheese, ghee, and others. Rasulullah SAW said:

مَنْ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ شَيْءٌ فَلْيَجِئْ بِهِ

"Anyone of you who has something, let him bring it here."

Then the friends came with what they had. Anas said:

 وَبَسَطَ نِطَعًا قَالَ فَجَعَلَ الرَّجُلُ يَجِيءُ بِالْأَقِطِ وَجَعَلَ الرَّجُلُ يَجِيءُ بِالتَّمْرِ وَجَعَلَ الرَّجُلُ يَجِيءُ بِالسَّمْنِ فَحَاسُوا حَيْسًا فَكَانَتْ وَلِيمَةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ

"Then he spread a mat of skin, then there are people who bring dry milk / cheese, some bring dates and some bring ghee, then they mix it, that is the wedding banquet of the Prophet Muhammad SAW." (HR. Muslim)

Imam Al-Nawawi (d. 676 H) explains in his book al-Minhaj Syarh Sahih Muslim, that this hadith is a proof of recommendation for friends or neighbors of the bride to help her in organizing walimah. In this context, the assistance provided is in the form of food donations they have.

The same thing happened to Ali bin Abi Talib's marriage. with Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Imam ath-Tabarani narrated from a friend of Buraidah al-Aslami ra. about Ali and Fatimah's marriage. He said:

فلما كان بعد ذلك بعدما زوجه قال: “يا علي، إنه لا بد للعرس من وليمة”. قال سعد: عندي كبش، وجمع له رهط من الأنصار آصعا من ذرة

"After the Prophet married Ali, he said: 'O Ali, in marriage it is recommended to have a reception'. Sa'ad said: 'I have a goat'. And he collected from the companions of Anshor several sacks of corn kernels." (HR. Ath-Tabarani)

Imam al-Haitsami (d. 807 H) in his book Majma' az-Zawaid wa Manba' al-Fawaid commented on this hadith. He said that the narrators in the history of at-Tabarani are all narrators of authentic traditions ( tsiqat ) except Abdul Karim bin Sulaith, but Ibn Hibban confirmed them. Imam Ibn Hajar (d. 852 H) said in his book at-Taqrib that Abdul Karim bin Sulaith maqbul (received his riyawat). Therefore, this hadith is considered authentic or at least hasan, and can be used as evidence (arguments).

The two hadiths above are evidence that walimah in the time of the Prophet became a means to increase social sensitivity, a sense of kinship and ukhuwah Islamiyah . Because of walimah, they gather and stay in touch in one place. This seems to also appear in the phenomena of wedding receptions today. Neighbors, friends, and relatives usually flock to help the bride's family, both materially and non-materially. Wallahu a'lam .