Q: We have a tribal habit rampant in Al-Hijaz. If a person in our tribe wants to marry his daughter to someone in neighboring villages, he asks the person who proposed to marry her to bring (Part No. 19; Page No. 97) twelve sheep. When the father of this bride is told about these sheep, he says that he will slaughter them as a banquet for his people. Is this a legally valid habit?

A: It is recommended to prepare a banquet on the occasion of celebrating marriage without spending lavishly for this purpose. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to a person who intends to marry: "Give a Walima (wedding banquet) even if with one sheep." Lavishness in wedding banquets or other banquets is prohibited. Allah (Exalted be He) says: ...and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allâh) likes not Al-Musrifûn (those who waste by extravagance). And But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayâtîn (devils) Moreover, lavishness in preparing wedding banquets overburdens the husband and puts impediments for marriage. The Prophet (peace be upon him) urges people to make the duties of marriage easier. Therefore, you have to give up this habit and to stick only to what is legal. If you do this, you will find blessings and goodness. If habits contradict Shari`ah (Islamic law), they have to be pushed aside because of what they contain of evil. (Part No. 19; Page No. 98) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.