Fatwa ID: 08299

Written by Alima Aisha Qureshi

Question: 

Any fatwas in English on distributing food/sweets on khatam Quran of tarawih?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The practice of distributing food/ sweets after the Khatam Quran (completion of the Quran) during Tarawih prayers, in the month of Ramadan, is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran or Hadith.

Therefore, it can be seen as a cultural practice not a religious obligation. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not command the people to distribute food after completing the Quran in Tarawih, nor did he or his companions do that.

In Hanafi Fiqh, bid’ah (innovation) is significant. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against introducing practices into Islam that were not established by him or his companions

Whilst distributing food is encouraged in Islam especially during the blessed month of Ramadan, this practice must not be made a habit or part of the tarawih prayers. As it was not done by the prophet Muhammad saw nor his companions.

However, if the distribution of food is done out of hospitality and being generous without having the intention of making it a religious obligation, it may be permissible. Islam encourages feeding others, especially during Ramadan.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Alima Aisha Qureshi

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ حَامِدُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَاصِمٌ، قَالَ قُلْتُ لأَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ أَحَرَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَدِينَةَ قَالَ نَعَمْ مَا بَيْنَ كَذَا إِلَى كَذَا فَمَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِيهَا حَدَثًا – قَالَ – ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي هَذِهِ شَدِيدَةٌ ‏ “‏ مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِيهَا حَدَثًا فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ لاَ يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ صَرْفًا وَلاَ عَدْلاً ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَنَسٍ أَوْ آوَى مُحْدِثًا ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim hadith 1366 sunnah.com