What is the ruling on accepting an invitation to a Walimah?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Wedding Feast
Primary text
Accepting an invitation to a Walimah is obligatory upon the one invited, provided the feast does not involve forbidden amusements ('lahw'). This position is held by Malik, Shafi'i, al-Anbari, Abu Hanifah and his companions. The primary evidence is the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him, reported by Ibn Umar: "If one of you is invited to a Walimah, he must attend it." Furthermore, Abu Hurayrah related that the Prophet said: "Respond to this invitation when you are invited to it," and that the worst food is the food of the Walimah to which the rich are invited while the poor are excluded, and whoever does not respond has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.
Supporting text
Some Shafi'i scholars consider accepting the invitation to be a collective obligation ('Fard al-Kifayah') because accepting is an act of honor and affinity, similar to returning the greeting of peace. The interpretation that the food of the Walimah is inherently the worst food is refuted because if that were true, the Prophet would not have commanded or performed it.