Nasihah (Advice): Consuming Halal foods
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu Anhu reports that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “Allah the Almighty is Pure and accepts only that which is pure and verily Allah has commanded the believers to do that which He has commanded the Messengers. So the Almighty said: “O (you) Messengers! Eat of the tayyibat [all kinds of halal foods], and perform righteous deeds.” [23:51] and the Almighty has said: “O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you.” [2:172]” (Sahih Muslim)
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Question and Answer:
- As we approach the festive season, a lot of companies will be planning their year-end parties and looking for venues.
I want to enquire if Muslims can attend these functions at venues that are not halaal?
These restaurants that are not halaal have an option to order food from halaal establishments so Muslims can attend their year-end functions and have peace of mind.
What is the ruling for the above?
(Question published as received)
- If the food is sourced from Halaal restaurants and is delivered sealed, then the food will remain Halaal. The fact that the venue serves non-Halaal food will not render the Halaal food Haraam.
However, the Halaal conformity of the food is only one aspect. Year-end parties often have several other aspects that render the function itself impermissible. These include: serving alcohol, music and dancing, and mingling and partying with the opposite gender. These are the general evils prevalent at such events.
Some parties take it further and host such acts that we do not even wish to mention.
In essence, if the year-end party has aspects that are impermissible, attendance would not be permitted regardless of whether the food is Halaal or not.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Moosa Salie
Mufti Taahir Hansa
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)
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