📜 Akad nikah · #68
Who should hold the wedding feast (walimah) — the groom's side or the bride's?
According to the sunnah, the walimah is the husband's responsibility; but the Malay custom of holding feasts on both sides is permitted as long as it is not a burden.
The Prophet ﷺ told ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn ʿAwf r.a., who had just married: hold a walimah even if only with one sheep (Sahih al-Bukhari 5167) — the instruction was addressed to the husband. In Malaysian practice, the event at the bride's home is usually paid for by her family, and the groom's side holds a feast to welcome the bride. Both are fine if done modestly. What should be avoided is borrowing or pushing families to bear costs beyond their means, and inviting only the rich (Sahih al-Bukhari 5177). A simple feast after the contract already fulfils the sunnah. See the ruling on the walimah.
The Prophet ﷺ told ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn ʿAwf r.a., who had just married: hold a walimah even if only with one sheep (Sahih al-Bukhari 5167) — the instruction was addressed to the husband. In Malaysian practice, the event at the bride's home is usually paid for by her family, and the groom's side holds a feast to welcome the bride. Both are fine if done modestly. What should be avoided is borrowing or pushing families to bear costs beyond their means, and inviting only the rich (Sahih al-Bukhari 5177). A simple feast after the contract already fulfils the sunnah. See the ruling on the walimah.
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 5167Sahih al-Bukhari 5177Surah al-Furqan 25:67