Q: This time of the year sees many people completing Hifz and other courses. People are holding functions (jalsahs) at halls and other venues inviting family and friends. Often the number of people invited are over 200 and 300 people. 5 course meals are served and alot of expense is incurred in feeding people as well as decor and gifts. The men and women are often separated. Is there any Islamic/Sunnah practice regarding holding such events?
Also, is it permissable to attend such functions and accept the invitation?
A: Feeding at such events is established. Hadhrat Umar (radiallahu anhu) upon completion of Surah Baqarah slaughtered a camel and fed people. However, we disagree with many of the formalities that take place where it is hosted in a hall or men and women are mixing etc.
Overall, when it is the completion of a girl's Quraan then Islamic ethos is that a woman and everything attached to her must be concealed. The more concealment and less publicity is better for a girl. It is not an emphasised sunnat that such feasts should be held for every khatam. Many times people misconstrue the situation.
The more important thing about the Quraan Shareef is to apply it and not to forget it. What is the use of having a khatam whereas you are not applying the Quraan Shareef and the teaching of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) or forgetting the Quraan Shareef after memorizing it. Perhaps the parents need to work on this, for the teacher's duty ends with the completion. Thereafter, it is the parents' duty to ensure that the child is applying it correctly and reciting it.
Many were the people in the past who completed the Quraan and other studies and nobody knew about it. Hence, what is the need for the publicity. The pious of the past understood that the greater duty was to maintain the Quraan Shareef and apply it.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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