How is the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Give a wedding feast, even if it is only a sheep,” reconciled?
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The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : And what is it? Yes, from the... did not give a wedding feast? Some scholars say that his statement “Give a wedding feast, even if it is only a sheep” is for the purpose of increasing [the number of guests] and not for decreasing [the amount of food]. This has passed us by, that the jurists say it is a recommended practice (sunnah) to give a wedding feast with a sheep or less. However, the apparent meaning of the hadith, and according to the rules of the Arabic language, is that his statement “even if it is only a sheep” is for the purpose of decreasing. And the fact that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not give a wedding feast with more than a sheep does not indicate that it is not valid to give a wedding feast with more. This is because, as we mentioned a moment ago, the wedding feast follows the person’s circumstances. A person may have wealth at that time and be able to give a wedding feast with a lot, or he may have no wealth at all and give a wedding feast with a little. Yes? Who? The one who did not take [notes].
The Shaykh : And what is it? Yes, from the... did not give a wedding feast? Some scholars say that his statement “Give a wedding feast, even if it is only a sheep” is for the purpose of increasing [the number of guests] and not for decreasing [the amount of food]. This has passed us by, that the jurists say it is a recommended practice (sunnah) to give a wedding feast with a sheep or less. However, the apparent meaning of the hadith, and according to the rules of the Arabic language, is that his statement “even if it is only a sheep” is for the purpose of decreasing. And the fact that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not give a wedding feast with more than a sheep does not indicate that it is not valid to give a wedding feast with more. This is because, as we mentioned a moment ago, the wedding feast follows the person’s circumstances. A person may have wealth at that time and be able to give a wedding feast with a lot, or he may have no wealth at all and give a wedding feast with a little. Yes? Who? The one who did not take [notes].