Someone wishes to organize walimah in a restaurant.

Answer

Walimah is a Masnoon act. It is an ibaadat which has to be performed in a simple way encapsulating the spirit of the Sunnah. Eating at a restaurant even if the food is halaal is not a Walimah. It is an outing in western style accompanied by several un-Islamic and haraam factors:

• Women have to leave the home to attend a public venue

• Purdah violation

• Sitting on chairs and eating from tables in western style • The restaurant is a venue for all types of persons – fussaaq, fujjaar and kuffaar • The restaurant also deals with haraam meat, etc. even if it is assumed that for this particular occasion some restraint will be exercised • Market places are mabgoodh (the worst and most detested) places.

The proper Masnoon setting for a Walimah is the home, not a public restaurant.