Partaking of food from a Hindu’s “prayers”.
Q. Is it permissible for a muslim to visit the home of a hindu who had a “prayers” and partake of the food, even though the muslim did not attend or partake in the “prayers” itself?
A. The preparation of food in this case is connected to the hosting of ‘a prayers’ which in reality, is based on ‘shirk’ and ‘kufr’. Being present to partake of meals on these occasions is a form of support to the shirk that has taken place, and it shows that Muslims are condoning such polytheistic beliefs and actions. Shirk is the worst sin which is unforgivable and a Muslim is required to hate it from the depths of his heart. In this regard, the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘Whoever amongst you sees a wrong, let him change it with his hands. If he is not able to do so, let him change it with his tongue. And whoever does not have the ability to do this, then let him feel it in his heart’, (by hating it and having a great dislike for it).
Based on this tradition, it is established that a Muslim must hate shirk and all that is associated with it. If a Muslim visits the home to partake of the meals after ‘a prayers’ was done, then it shows that he has no dislike for the shirk which has taken place, instead, through his visit to partake of the meals, it shows that he is not bothered about what has taken place.
As such, in light of the blessed teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), it will not be permissible for a Muslim to visit the home of a hindu who had ‘a prayers’ to partake of the food.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan