The worst of waleemah (wedding feast) is that in which only the wealthy people are  invited and the poor  people rejected (hadith)”.

While Islam permits the celebration of marriage as an important event in the life of the couple, its guiding principles are that both the rich and the poor should be invited to grace the occasion. Also, the rich should not be over pampered while the poor one neglected or despised. Islam also recommends that we should spend within our means and avoid extravagance and wasteful spending. Foods and drinks should not be wasted neither money since our waleemah is meant to please Allah, the provider and strengthen the ties of kinship and the bond of Islamic brotherhood.

Islam also encourages providing food for the neighbours and kins on the day of the birth of a child. This kind of feast is termed Al-khurs i.e Tohaamul-wilaadah. There are evidence that the companions  of the Prophet invited their brothers to their houses on the occasions of the delivery of their babies and provided food and drinks for those who attended.

A- khurs should not be mistaken for the naming (aqeeqoh) ceremony. The former is done exactly on the day the baby is delivered by the father of the baby. In Yoruba land, this practice is common among the Oyos before the austere period set in.

Al- aqeeqoh is another form of Islamic feast which the Muslims have been familiar with. Though, future sermon would extensively spell out the principle guiding naming ceremony in Islam, today’s khutbah is meant to define Al-Aqeeqoh and explain its permissibly.

Al-aqeeqoh refers to the ram or sheep slaughtered to celebrate the naming of a child on the seventh day of his birth. Al aqeeqoh has been specifically mentioned as part of the the many hadith of the prophet (SAW).

Narrated Samurah bin Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him), the holy prophet (SAW) said. On every child is his aqeeqoh to be slaughtered for him on his 7th day, then given his name and have his head shaved  Related by Tirmidh,  Abu Daud and Nasir.

This particular provision is the right of the baby to be discharged by his father, either on the  seventh,14th or the 21st day of the child’s birth.

Another important feast that Islam permits is Al-Ghadeerah. This is a traditional feast organized for those who are present on the occasion of the child’s circumcision. It is usually called Tohaamul-Khitaan or Al-Ghadeerah among the Arabs. If Allah blesses the father of the baby,  he can prepare food for his neighbours to thank Allah for His grace over the family.

Another type of feast permissible in Islam is called Al-Wadhee’ah or Tohaamul-ma’atim. This is attached to the completion of a project or programme or a course. This is relevant to the graduation at the completion of a school programme or learning a trade.

Al-Qadee’ah is yet another Islamic feast which is occasioned by the return of a person from a journey. The returning pilgrims have every evidence to celebrate their gracious return back home from the holy pilgrimage to Makkah. This should be done without committing excess or displaying acts of ignorance as commonly found among the Muslims today. This kind of feast is not restricted to returning from Hajj alone but all of journey that is permissible in Islam.

Al-Wakeerah is the 10th form of Islamic feast that specifically centres on the completion of a residential building. If Allah grants you long life to build a home for yourself in this world, it is part of manifestation of His kindness over you, therefore, to celebrate this grace is highly permissible. It is mostly termed-House-warming.