Dawat-e-Walima meaning: what Walima is, when it happens and who hosts it

'Dawat-e-Walima' (دعوتِ ولیمہ) means 'the invitation to the Walima'. 'Dawat' (دعوت) is an invitation or feast, the 'e' is the Persian link that means 'of', and 'Walima' (ولیمہ) is the wedding meal the groom's family gives after the Nikkah. So the full phrase means 'the feast of the Walima', and on a card it is the heading that says 'you are invited to our Walima'.

Dawat e Walima, Dawate Walima or Dawat Walima: which spelling is right?

All of them mean the same thing. 'Dawat-e-Walima' with hyphens is the most common English spelling and the one most families print. 'Dawate Walima' joins the link sound to the first word, and 'Dawat Walima' simply drops it, which is how many people say it out loud. In Urdu it is always written دعوتِ ولیمہ, with a small zer under the ت.

Walima meaning in Islam

The Walima is a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. He held a Walima for his own marriages and told Abdur Rahman bin Auf (RA): 'Give a Walima, even if only with one sheep' (Sahih Bukhari). Scholars describe it as Sunnah Mu'akkadah, a strongly recommended act, and a guest who is invited is encouraged to accept. Its purpose is to announce the marriage, thank Allah and share the happiness with family, neighbours and the poor.

• It is given by the groom or his family, not the bride's family.
• It is held after the Nikkah, usually after the Rukhsati, so the marriage is complete.
• It does not have to be expensive: a simple meal at home fulfils the Sunnah.
• Inviting only the rich and leaving out the poor is disliked in the hadith.

When is Dawat-e-Walima held?

In Pakistan the Walima is normally the day after the Baraat, or within the same week. Some families hold it two or three days later so out-of-town guests can stay. Islamically it can be held any time after the Nikkah, and there is no fixed rule on the number of days.

Walima vs Baraat vs Nikkah

• Nikkah: the marriage contract itself, with the Imam and witnesses.
• Baraat: the groom's procession to the bride's home or hall, hosted by the bride's family, ending in the Rukhsati.
• Walima: the feast after the marriage, hosted by the groom's family; the bride and groom sit together and receive guests.

How to invite people to a Walima

The card usually opens with 'Dawat-e-Walima' or Bismillah, names the hosting parents, the groom and the bride with her father's name, then the date, time and venue, and closes with المنتظر (awaiting your arrival). Ready texts are in Dawat-e-Walima card in Urdu and Dawat-e-Walima in English; the whole topic, from the Sunnah to the card and the WhatsApp message, is in Dawat-e-Walima: the complete guide.

Most families now send the invitation on WhatsApp. An online Walima card gives every guest a page with the Urdu and English text, a map button and an RSVP, and if the hall or time changes the card updates for everyone. You can try a Walima card with your own names for free.

Short answers

• Dawat e Walima meaning in Urdu: دعوتِ ولیمہ یعنی شادی کے بعد دولہا کی طرف سے دی جانے والی دعوت۔ Lafz ki asal, sunnat aur waqt Urdu mein: walima meaning in Urdu.
• Dawat e Walima meaning in English: the invitation to the wedding feast hosted by the groom's family.
• Is Walima farz? No, it is Sunnah, but a strongly recommended one.
• Who pays for the Walima? The groom or his family.