Prayer in the Presence of Food
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Fatwa No. ( 15138 )
Q: Is the hadith:Riyad as-Salihin 1753 specific to voluntary prayer or
is it general for both obligatory and voluntary prayer? And if it is general, does the presence of food drop the obligation of congregational prayer?
A: The hadith is general, covering both voluntary and obligatory prayer. The intent is that the Muslim should pray with his mind focused on his prayer, recitation, and supplication, not preoccupied with his food. If he is hungry and food is placed before him and the iqamah is called, leaving the prayer for food while hungry distracts him from performing the prayer as he is obligated to perform it. The intent is not that food drops the congregational prayer, so it is not permissible to use bringing food at prayer time as an excuse to leave the prayer. Allah has made congregational prayer obligatory even in a state of fear if it is continuous. This is not specific to food; rather, if a man needs to relieve himself of the two worst things, he should not go to prayer, but should relieve himself first and then proceed to prayer. If he catches the congregation, that is good; otherwise, he prays alone or with whoever he finds. This is based on what was narrated by Muslim, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 560a The two worst things are urination and defecation. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Is the hadith:
No Salat (prayer) should be performed when the food has been served
لا صلاة بحضرة طعامis it general for both obligatory and voluntary prayer? And if it is general, does the presence of food drop the obligation of congregational prayer?
A: The hadith is general, covering both voluntary and obligatory prayer. The intent is that the Muslim should pray with his mind focused on his prayer, recitation, and supplication, not preoccupied with his food. If he is hungry and food is placed before him and the iqamah is called, leaving the prayer for food while hungry distracts him from performing the prayer as he is obligated to perform it. The intent is not that food drops the congregational prayer, so it is not permissible to use bringing food at prayer time as an excuse to leave the prayer. Allah has made congregational prayer obligatory even in a state of fear if it is continuous. This is not specific to food; rather, if a man needs to relieve himself of the two worst things, he should not go to prayer, but should relieve himself first and then proceed to prayer. If he catches the congregation, that is good; otherwise, he prays alone or with whoever he finds. This is based on what was narrated by Muslim, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
No prayer can be (rightly said) when the food is there (before the worshipper), or when he is prompted by the call of nature.
لا صلاة بحضرة الطعام ولا وهو يدافعه الأخبثان
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.