Q 4: Is it permissible to prepare banquets upon completing the recitation of the Qur'an?

A: It is permissible to prepare banquets for wedding occasions. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Awf when the latter told him of his marriage: Prepare a banquet even if with one sheep. The Prophet himself used to prepare banquets for such occasions.As to the banquet of completing the Qur'an, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them) are not known to have prepared any banquets for such an occasion. Had they practiced this custom, it would have been handed down to us like all other rulings of Shari`ah. Consequently, this practice is considered an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion). It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever introduces things extraneous to our matter i.e. religion, will have it rejected. The Prophet also says: Whoever practices acts extraneous to ours, his act is rejected. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.