Chowrangi

Eating Mistakenly During Ramadan

Not only does eating mistakenly during fasting hours in Ramadan not break the fast, but it is actually considered a blessing from Allah SWT. It is a sign of Allah’s love that He makes people forget that they are fasting. It is also recommended that if you see a person eating or drinking while they are fasting, do not remind them right away. Let them finish, because what they are doing is due to Allah’s love.

One thing that I don’t understand is, why is eating and drinking in public banned during Ramadan in a lot of countries, especially in the Middle East. The whole purpose of fasting is to go through the day like a person would normally, to feel what a poor person goes through. Are people banned from eating and drinking in public throughout the year because there are poor people on earth who don’t have enough to eat?

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Mohammad Yusha

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12 responses to “Eating Mistakenly During Ramadan”

  1. Momina Avatar
    Momina

    The Christians do not observe complete fast for 24-hours and I am including their priests in this. I have already mentioned this before but I will talk about it again. During a debate with Ahmed Deedat a priest admitted that even priests do not fast throughout honestly as it is humanly impossible. He was even sure that Muslims must also be having snacks during their fast from time to time.

    As for the average Christian, usually thy do not observe the fast and if they do, as I was told by two Christians, they do not partake from a specific food. Both of those Christians preferred to stay away from meat during the fast.

    Allah SWT has Commanded all to observe the fast of Ramadaan and to follow Islamic Monotheism.

    “I think Muslims are lucky that Allah has made the fast so easy for us.”

    The fast and Islam are for all. Muslims who follow Allah’s Orders are wise and blessed by Allah SWT that they can see the Truth.

    Apart from that, a non-Muslim may eat in front of a Muslim while the Muslim is fasting. I don’t think there is anything specifically about this in Sharee’ah, Wallaho ‘Aalam.

    However, it is the essence of an Islamic country where during the time of fasting people do not eat in public.

    Reply
  2. Shakir Lakhani Avatar
    Shakir Lakhani

    @ Yusha: Most Pakistani Muslims think that the Christian fast is very easy, since they’re allowed to eat light stuff during fasting. This is not true. According to their religion, Christians (like Hindus) have to fast 24 hours without any food and drink. Not only that, they’re not supposed to display anger or irritation, or tell others that they’re fasting (compare this to what Pakistanis say all the time in Ramzan as an excuse to avoid work: “roza hai”). If a fasting Christian is offered food by someone, he has to smile and refuse politely (he shouldn’t say that he’s fasting). And since it’s very difficult in hot weather to fast, Christian priests have allowed relaxation to men to eat and drink during the fasting season (Lent). Usually only Christian priests and women observe the 24-hour fast. I think we Muslims are lucky that Allah has made the fast so easy for us.

    Reply
  3. Mohammad Yusha Avatar
    Mohammad Yusha

    @Kashif H: Nice to see you back on the blog. 🙂

    Everytime a person eats in public, he/she may not always be eating in front of a fasting person. Lets say, a person is eating in his car and a cop notices him. The person who was eating will have to pay a fine, not for eating in front of a fasting person but because he broke the law. Now the question is, which law?

    Can a law to force people not to eat in public really be implemented and is that Islamic? Also, does it not destroy the whole purpose of fasting. How are you going to go through what a poor person goes through if no one eats in front of you.

    At the time of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) were non-Muslims (and children) banned from eating in public?

    All in all, it is true that people should not eat in front of people who are fasting and this behaviour should be encouraged, but not forced.

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  4. Kashif H Avatar
    Kashif H

    I think there is a reference in Islamic books of a zoroastrian who slapped his son for eating in front of fasting Muslims. His son shocked asked his father why he did si when he himself eats un Ramadhan. The zoroastrian man replied, I eat but in privacy of my home and do not harm the sanctity of this month. It is said after he died someone watched in walking in heaven (in dream Allah knows Best) and asked the person” But you were a zoroastrian in mortal life how come you have achieved this honour (of being in Jannah). He said, “Allah bestowed blessings on me due to my reverence and respect for Ramadhan while I remained Alive on Earth”

    If Allah SW is pleased with people who refrain from drinking and eating in front of fasting persons we should unconditionally follow suite. Besides Its extreamly ARROGANT and depicts impolite, indecent and belittling to eat in front of someone who cant have it. It goes diametrically opposed to Islamic doctrine of sharing Allah blessings. I hope this is enough logic. Allah knows Best!

    Reply
  5. Mohammad Yusha Avatar
    Mohammad Yusha

    Mr. Lakhani: Thanks for the info.

    @Faraz: I know that it is not a primary motive, but what about the sentiments on non-Muslims living in the Middle East, and those of kids on whom fasting is not compulsory?

    Reply
  6. Faraz Avatar
    Faraz

    @ Yusha
    The reasons for fasting are not simply confined to empathize with the poor. Rather that is a secondary or perhaps even a tertiary motive.

    The primary motive is for the person to leave their food and drink is to remind the person that there is a greater motive in life other the fulfilling the natural desires.

    So a person leaves food/drink and focuses more on acts of worship and charity.

    As for banning food in public places, it has more to with keeping public sentiments in mind. To make it a human rights issue is a frivolous claim. If human rights is truly a concern, my sincere advise would be to join an organization like Eidhi rather than harp on belittling issues that smack of ignorance.

    Reply
  7. Shakir Lakhani Avatar
    Shakir Lakhani

    @ Yusha: eating in public during Ramadhan: there was a time when there was no restriction (1950’s). Then we heard about someone being shot in Peshawer for drinking in front of a fasting person. Later, in Karachi (Laloo Khet, now known as Liaquatabad), a crowd hammered a man who asked for water during the holy month. Later, restaurants used to have curtains so that fasting persons couldn’t see the non-fasting ones eating/drinking inside. Finally, Zia Ul Haq imposed a complete ban on eating/drinking in public by both Muslims/non-Muslims during daytime in Ramadhan. Of course, this is a violation of human rights, but no one has ever dared to raise this issue with the authorities.

    Reply
  8. James Killian Spratt Avatar
    James Killian Spratt

    Yoo-shoo, are you being a bad boy? Ha-ha! Lemme guess–your little Baptist pixie Jenni was chomping down all kinds of goodies, rolling her eyes at you, dive-bombing you with cookies and dates and fried chicken and laughing how tasty it all was, and you just couldn’t stand it, huh?

    God made you do it? That’s what Jeffery Daumer said, too.

    Hey, are you gonna eat that? Ha-haaaaaaaaaaa!

    Reply
  9. Mohammad Yusha Avatar
    Mohammad Yusha

    Even non-Muslims are banned from eating in public. Since when did Islam recommend that? No one should be banned from eating and drinking in public, not even a Muslim, since that is a personal choice, unless Middle Eastern countries want to impose their Taliban mentality.

    Reply
  10. Irfan Avatar
    Irfan

    The simple reason why eating and drinking is banned in public in most of the ME countries, during Ramadan,is to show respect and maintain the sanctity of this month.

    Reply
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