Timing of walima

Question:

Assalmulaikum Shaykh,

I want to know if there is a time limit of doing the walima? I recently got married doing the nikkah, but because my wife still has one more year left to study the walima is being delayed to after she has completed her studies which is in 12 months time. Is there a time limit on when we can do the walima after the nikkah??? Can you please show evidence if possible.

Answer:

wa `alaykum salam,

The `ulama‘ have different opinions on the time of walima:

1. After consummation of marriage

2. At the time of wedding ceremony (Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari, 9/287)

3. After wedding and prior to consummation