Shariah rulings about food

Food is a basic need of life.  Here, we present some miscellaneous Shariah rulings about food.

 

Sweat falling in food

 

While cooking, sometimes droplets of sweat fall into the dishes.  What will the ruling about such food?

 

If some droplets of sweat fall into the food, then as per the Shariah, the food does not become unfit for eating, but naturally we dislike it.  However, there is no prohibition in the Shariah about food in which droplets of sweat fall, but as Islam is a religion of purity and cleanliness, special care should be taken while cooking. 

 

As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Kitabul Karahiyya

 

Giving unclean food to animals

 

In our houses if food is left over, then it is usually given to animals like goats, hens, etc.  Does the Shariah permit this?

 

The way Shariah has described the rights of human beings, in the same way it has described the rights of animals also in detail.  The Shariah prohibits oppressing animals, forcing them to work beyond their capacity and prohibits every such act which hurts and/or harms them.  Thus, the Jurists have said that feeding unclean food to those animals whose meat is permissible is not permissible.  As given in Fatawa A'alamgiri, Vol. 5, Kitab Ul Karahiyya, Pg No. 344)

 

Eating overnight leftover food

 

Sometimes, we have to eat the food that has been left out overnight.  Sometimes the food smells.  Can we eat that kind of food?

 

If there is only a slight smell in the food, then eating it is permissible.  If the food really stinks and it has changed considerably, then the food has become unclean and eating it is impermissible.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 339.