Book of Walima (Wedding Banquet)

Walima: A name specifically for food at a wedding; this name does not apply to anything else. Ibn Abd al-Barr narrated this from Tha'lab and others among the linguists. Some jurists from our school and others said: The term Walima applies to every meal prepared for an occurring joy, although its usage for wedding food is more common. The statement of the linguists is stronger, as they are the masters of the language, the most knowledgeable of linguistic subjects, and the most learned in the Arabic tongue. Al-Adhira is the name for a circumcision invitation, also called I'dhar. Al-Khurs and Al-Khursa are for childbirth. Al-Wakira is the invitation for the construction of a house. It is said: Wakkara and Kharrasa, in the intensified form. An-Naqi'a is for the arrival of someone who was absent; it is said: Naqa'a, in the light form. Al-'Aqiqa is the slaughtering on behalf of a newborn. The poet said:

You desire all food, its spring,

The Khurs, the I'dhar, and the Naqi'a.

Al-Hidhaq is the food provided when a child completes the memorization of the Quran. Al-Ma'duba is the name for any invitation, whether for a reason or otherwise. The Aadib is the host of the Ma'duba. The poet said:

We invite the multitude during the winter season,

And you will not see the host among us being stingy.

Al-Jafala in an invitation means to include all people in one's invitation. Al-Naqra is to single out some people to the exclusion of others.