Question: 

Can Nikah and Walima be kept on the same day? Due to availability of venue we are finding it difficult to keep it the second day hence want to keep it same day. What are the conditions that need to be fulfilled if thats the way we want to keep? 

Answer: 

Walimah is celebrated the day after the newly married couple have spent some time in seclusion. This is the actual Sunnah and proven from the narration of Bukhari Sharif wherein Hadrat Anas Radhiallahu Anhu states that when Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam married Hadrat Zainab Bint Jahsh Radhiallahu Anha then Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam invited people the next day and fed them. [Bukhari]

Some current day Ulama are of the view that if the newlywed couple spend time in seclusion after the Nikah, then immediately thereafter the Walimah could be celebrated.

However, we still maintain the view that the actual Sunnah is that the Walimah is celebrated the next day as explained above and proven from the narration of Bukhari. If your concern is the hall, then we suffice on stating that in order to fulfil the Sunnah of Walimah it is not necessary to hire a hall nor is it necessary to invite hundreds of people. The Walimah could be held within the confines of one’s home and the Sunnah will be fulfilled by inviting a few poor people, relatives, friends, and pious.

In conclusion, we advise you to celebrate the Walimah as celebrated and recommended by the Master Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

And Allah Ta'aala knows best!

ANSWERED BY: Mufti Mohammed Desai 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B 

Date: 08 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1440  English Date: 16 November 2018