Is there a Hadeeth of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, that urges Muslims to hold banquets on certain occasions such as marriage, circumcision, and the like?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Giving a wedding banquet is a recommended Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), while some scholars regarded it as obligatory; for the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf : “Give a Waleemah (a banquet), even if with one sheep.” [Al-Bukhari]

As for the circumcision banquet, nothing was reported about it from the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Some scholars considered it disliked while others regarded it as permissible and even recommended. The sound opinion is that the circumcision banquet is permissible; one has the choice whether to give it or not.  

The same ruling applies to a childbirth banquet. It is permissible at the time of birth, apart from the ‘Aqeeqah which is a Sunnah; for it was reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “With the child there is ‘Aqeeqah, so spill blood for him and remove the harm from him." [Al-Bukhari]

Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said, “The wedding banquet is an act of the Sunnah and it is obligatory on people to accept the invitation. As to the death banquet or accepting an invitation to it, it is a disliked religious innovation. Circumcision banquet is permissible and whoever wishes to hold it may do so and whoever wishes to leave it may do so. Likewise is the childbirth banquet; one can give a childbirth banquet if he wishes, unless he has already held ‘Aqeeqah for it is a Sunnnah.”

Scholars held different opinions regarding inviting people to the ‘Aqeeqah, just like other banquets, or whether one should offer some of the sacrificial meat for charity, eat some, and offer some to his family, friends and neighbors. Imaams Maalik and Ash-Shaafi‘i ruled that one should eat of the meat of the sacrifice, offer some of it for charity, feed their neighbors, but not invite people over for ‘Aqeeqah like one does with other banquets.

On the other hand, Hanbali scholars ruled that there is no harm in inviting people to the ‘Aqeeqah banquet. Al-Mardaawi reported that Ibn Qudaamah said, “If he cooks it and invites people to it then that is fine.”

Allaah Knows best.