(Q&A) Absent from the Wedding Reception

Question Will I sin if I do not attend a wedding invitation (walimah) even though the walimah is according to the Sunnah, simply because I am lazy to attend it?

Answer The majority of scholars mention the obligation to attend a wedding walimah. Imam Ibn ‘Arabi Al-Maliki said,

“Malik and the majority of scholars have affirmed the obligation of coming to the walimah feast.” (Al-Masalik, 5/531). Imam Ibn Hazm Ad-Dzhahiri said,

“And the majority of the Companions and the Tabi’in, according to what we have mentioned, hold the view of the obligation to attend the (walimah) invitation.” (Al-Muhalla, 9/25) Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani Asy-Syafii said,

“Ibn Abdil Barr, then ‘Iyadh, then An-Nawawi, have conveyed a consensus regarding the ruling of the obligation to accept the wedding walimah invitation. However, this needs to be reviewed. Yes, the famous opinion among the scholars is the obligation, and the majority of the Syafiiyah and Hanabilah have stated clearly that it is fardhu ‘ain (an individual obligation). Malik also affirmed this.” (Fath Al-Bari, 9/242). Some others have narrated the existence of ijma’ (consensus) among scholars regarding the obligation to attend the walimah. Imam Ibn Batthal Al-Maliki said,

“The scholars have agreed regarding the obligation to accept the walimah (wedding) invitation.” (Syarh Shahih Al-Bukhari, 7/287) Imam Ibn Abdil Barr Al-Maliki said,

“I do not know of any difference of opinion regarding the obligation to attend the walimah for the one who is invited to it, as long as there is no munkar (forbidden act) or frivolous entertainment in it.” (At-Tamhid, 10/179). Some scholars are of the view that the ruling is Sunnah. This is the opinion of the Hanafi school, the opinion of some Syafiiyah like Ar-Ruyyani Asy-Syafii [1], and Hanabilah like Ibn Taimiyah Al-Hanbali and Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani Al-Hanbali [2]. However, the Hanafiyah consider it a Sunnah which has a status similar to wajib (obligatory) [3]. Even though this term “Sunnah which has a status similar to wajib” has been criticized by Ibn Najim Al-Hanafi. It should be known that the meaning of Sunnah according to the Hanafiyah is different from the Sunnah according to the Syafii and Hanbali schools. This is because the meaning of Sunnah is something that, if neglected, will prevent one from receiving the intercession (syafaat) of the Messenger of Allah according to the Hanafiyah. [4] Some other scholars consider it Fardhu Kifayah(collective obligation). This is the view of some Syafiiyah like Al-Hanathy Asy-Syafii [5] and some Hanabilah [6]. The rajih (stronger) view is the opinion of the majority of scholars, which is obligatory. This is based on the saying of the Prophet:

“The worst food is the food of the walimah, where those who wish to attend are prevented from coming, while those who refuse to come are invited. And whoever does not answer the invitation (walimah), has certainly disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.” (HR. Muslim: 1432-110 from Abu Hurairah) Thus, a person who intentionally fails to attend the invitation due to laziness is deemed to have sinned. Unless it causes difficulty, such as being far away and requiring much expenditure, or if there are forbidden acts (munkar) in the walimah that contradict the Sharia. Wallahu a’lam bis shawab(And Allah knows best the truth).