Summary of Letter:
Bismihi Ta’ala
Respected Mufti Saheb
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
My son is due to get married soon. I require ten thousand Rupees for the walimah. Kindly arrange the same for me.
Summary of Reply:
Bismihi Ta’ala
Respected Brother / Sister
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh
On one occasion the walimah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) took place in such a manner that some Sahaabah (R.A.) brought their own food from their homes. All the food was gathered and everybody jointly partook of the meal.
One of the walimahs of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was observed by offering a cup of milk to those present. The milk had earlier been given to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as a gift. Everybody took one or two sips. This was the entire walimah.
It is obvious that there is no need to borrow ten thousand Rupees to observe the Sunnah of the walimah. In fact, if a person was in debt, the Akaabir would not even accept his invitation. Instead, they would tell him to first pay off his debts before inviting people to his home. (Maktoobaat, v 5, pg 39)