Can I Consume Food Gifted by Non-Muslims On Their Festivals

Answered by Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra

 

Question

Is it permissible to consume/eat the gifts received from non-Muslims they give as gifts for their festivals?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

This question revolves around whether or not the gifted food is a distinct symbol of a religion other than Islam or has been involved in non-Islamic rituals (such as food that is prayed over, ritually consumed, or offered to deities), or whether it is merely a cultural food served on their festive occasions.

Food That Was Offered in Religious Rituals

If the food item were involved in their rituals or has some religious meaning or distinct significance, then this would not be permissible to consume because it involves imitating other religious traditions, honoring a non-Islamic holiday, or eating what was consecrated for other than Allah. However, unless one knows for sure, one should not assume this. (Qur’an, 2:173; Ibn Abidin, Radd al Muhtar)

Food That is Only Eaten as a Custom Around Their Holiday Season is Permissible

If it is merely a food item that is commonly consumed at a particular time of the year as a custom that a specific group of people has, while not being distinctly attached to religious belief or a ritual per se, then this would be permissible to accept and consume since one is not honoring the holiday itself. In fact, accepting such food from non-Muslim family, neighbors, and colleagues helps foster good relations and should be reciprocated by Muslims. (Haskafi, al Durr al Mukhtar)

It is also essential to keep in mind that there is nothing wrong in itself with eating food that is prepared or gifted by non-Muslims, as long as that food is lawful and pure to consume according to the Sacred Law.  Other than meat-based or alcoholic items, and without any substantial reason to suspect, the default ruling of food is that it is permissible to consume. (Burhan al-Din al-Bukhari, al Muhit al Burhani)

It is often better to consult local scholars who understand the local culture and religious customs for specific contexts and cases. There may be implications of Muslims consuming certain foods in certain contexts that a general answer may not cover, or a Muslim minority may have different considerations that balanced, senior local scholars can advise on.

Wassalam,

Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1983. His family hails from India, and he was raised in the Hindu tradition. He embraced Islam in 2001 while at the University of Toronto, from where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen, for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies. He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan, where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography, and Islamic Spirituality while also working at the Qasid Arabic Institute as Director of Programs. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya, Darul Uloom) and authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith and is currently pursuing specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (ifta’). He holds a certificate in Counselling and often works with new Muslims and those struggling with religious OCD. He is an instructor and researcher in Sacred Law and Theology with the Seekers Guidance, The Global Islamic Seminary.