Fatwa: 783

Category: fatwas about offerings and sacrifices

Lawfulness regarding the circumcision banquet

The question:

Is it permissible to make a banquet on the occasion of a circumcision?

The answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

The opinion of Al-Qâdhi `Iyâdh, An-Nawawi, Ibn Al-Qayyim and Ash-Shawkâni is that banquets which are cooked are permissible if they are by way of thanking, that is to say, thanking Allah for His favors and it is also by way of beneficence. Among its ways is to make “Al-`Adhîra” or “Al-I`dhâr” which is the meal given on the occasion of circumcision.⁽¹⁾

The opinion of the Messenger’s صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم companions and their successors is that it is obligatory to answer the invitation to any banquet⁽²⁾.

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Algiers, Al-Muharram 20^th, 1428H.
Corresponding to: February 8^th, 2007.