By Imam Murtadha Gusau
Thursday, February 05, 2026
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.
Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, dear brothers and sisters! The Minister of State for Defence and former governor of Zamfara state, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, will witness nine of his children get married on the same day.
The invitation card for the multiple weddings has gone viral on social media. All the nine children and their partners were mentioned in one wedding invitation card.
The minister’s children who are to wed include five sons and four daughters. Their partners are also from influential families, as the invitation shows.
The weddings will hold at the National Mosque, Abuja, by 1:30 pm on Friday, February 6, 2026, information on the card reveals. Arrangement for the weddings is said to be in the final stages.
The Minister is set to give out his beloved children in marriage.
Separate invitations indicate the line-up of grooms and brides, including former Zamfara State House of Assembly Speaker Honourable Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya, who will marry Nana Bello Matawalle; Ibrahim Sahabi Liman, set to wed Faridah Bello Matawalle; Safiya Bello Matawalle’s groom, Yazid Shehu Dan Fulani; and Umar Ibrahim Danmaliki, who will marry Aisha Bello Matawalle.
The event will mark an unusual and high-profile occasion in the nation’s capital, reflecting the family’s prominence and the scale of the ceremony.
Respected brothers and sisters! The marriage Walimah and Islamic preachings will hold today Thursday, 05 February, 2026, at National Mosque Abuja, between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm, by prominent Islamic scholars.
A Walimah is the traditional Islamic wedding banquet hosted by the groom after the nikah (a marriage contract) to celebrate and publicly announce the union. It is considered an emphatic Sunnah and highly recommended practice rather than a strict obligation, intended to show gratitude and share joy.
Traditionally, the groom or his family hosts the Walimah, usually after the marriage is consummated. Although it can be held at any time around the marriage.
The primary purpose of the Walimah is to announce the marriage celebration and thank Allah Almighty for His blessings.
It should be done within one’s means; the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) indicated it could be as simple as serving a small amount of food.
And the invitation should not be limited only to the rich, but should include family, friends, and the needy. That’s the reason why you see almost all the people of Zamfara state and many different places gathered in Abuja.
And accepting a Walimah invitation is generally considered a strongly recommended act. The Walimah serves as a joyous communal gathering to mark the beginning of the new couple’s life together.
The Walimah is a blessed Sunnah, marking the joyous, public announcement of a marriage to foster community, gratitude, and blessing (Albarkah). Its purpose is to celebrate Halal love, strengthening bonds through gratitude and Du’a.
The Walimah is a moment to show gratitude to Allah Almighty and to honour the new, sacred bond of marriage.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) performed a Walimah after his marriages, showing it is a key component of starting married life.
The goal of a marriage and the Walimah is to foster a bond that brings both spouses closer to Allah, rather than focusing on showing off to others.
Respected brothers and sisters! In a world where weddings have become competitions of extravagance, let us return to the pure, simple, and beautiful Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The best Walimah is not the one with the most expensive, wasted food, but the one that brings joy to the hearts, brings the community together in love, and starts a life with the blessing of Allah and a light, happy heart.
Finally, remember! Don’t forget to pray for the couples with the prayer that came directly from the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as follows:
“Barakallahu lakuma, wa baraka alaikuma, wa jama’a bainakuma fi khairin.”
Meaning:
“May Allah bless you, and shower His blessings upon you, and join you together in goodness.”
Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa bara ka tuh
Wishing you all a happy, joyous married life and blessings!
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.