[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—reports from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The worst food is the food of the walimah: those who wish to attend are prevented, while those who refuse are invited; and whoever does not answer the invitation has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.”

His words ﷺ, “The worst food is the food of the walimah,” can be understood in two ways. It may refer specifically to the wedding feast, or it may be broader, covering every gathering to which people are invited—whether for a wedding or any other occasion. The detailed rulings will come later, Allah willing.

He then clarified the sort of walimah whose food is deemed “the worst”: one to which the rich—who are least eager to attend because they have no need—are invited, while the poor—who would gladly accept—are turned away. Such a walimah does not bring a person closer to Allah, for those most deserving, the poor, are excluded and only the wealthy are summoned.

As for the walimah itself—especially the wedding banquet—it is an emphatically recommended sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said to ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf, “Give a walimah, even if with a single sheep,” thereby instructing him to hold the feast.