Eating at a Muslim’s house whose rizq is unlawful
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
If eating with non-Muslims entails one to participate in unlawful activities such as singing, listening to music, intermingling with women or the gathering is connected to a religious event like Christmas parties, then it would not be permissible for a Muslim to attend or participate in such a gathering.
However, if the eating with non Muslims does not entail you to indulge into unlawful acts, but at the same time the non-Muslims are drinking alcohol or eating pork etc… then as long as there is a genuine need and one does not make a habit of it then it will be permissible. (Fatawa Hindiyyah p.347 v.5) However, one has to make sure that the food he is consuming must be halal.
With regards to eating at a Muslims house whose rizq is unlawful is as follows: if a person’s majority income is lawful and less than half is unlawful, it would be permissible to eat from the food purchased with such income. However, if a person’s majority income is unlawful even though the food itself is halal, but because it was purchased with haram money that food will also be considered haram. (Ahsanul Fatawa p.104 v.8)
Eating Halal is a fundamental aspect for one’s worship being accepted by Allah.
Saiduna Abu Hurayah (RA) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (SAW) said: “Allah is pure and accepts only that which is pure. Allah has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the messengers.” And Allah (SAW) has said: “O you who believe! Eat of the pure things and do right.” Allah (SAW) has said: “Oh you who believe! Eat of the pure things we have provided you.” Then the Prophet of Allah (SAW) mentioned a man who journeyed far and dishevelled and dusty and spends out of his hand to the Heavens: “O lord! O Lord! While his food is unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can his dua be answered!” (Sahih Muslim)
From this Hadith we can understand that unlawful income does have an effect on ones worship and acceptance of ones duas.
Saaiduna Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu narrated that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said “That body will not enter Paradise which has been nourished with Haram” (Sunan Baihaqi)
Saaiduna Ka`b Bin Ujrah narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said, “A body nourished with Haram will not enter Jannah”. (Sunan Tirmizi)
Saaiduna Jabir Bin Abdullah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said, “That flesh will not enter Paradise which has grown from Haram, and all that flesh which has grown from Haram, the fire (of hell) is more worthy of it.” (Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Darimi & Sunan Baihaqi)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
