A few brothers in our community have got together to provide a group of +/-20 homeless people sandwiches and tea daily at a specific venue in an open park . There is one Muslim brother amongst the poor persons being fed this way. Basically, the sandwiches are handed to each person and a cup of tea is poured and handed over as well.
During Ramadaan, will it be acceptable to offer these sandwiches to these people during the hours of fasting in full public view?
Obviously the non Muslims will not be fasting amongst the group. Kindly advise.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
May Allah reward you for your efforts to feed the poor and the homeless.
It is permissible to give food to non-Muslims during the daytime in Ramadan in a discreet manner (away from public view) out of respect for the sanctity of the hours of fasting. [i] [ii] [iii]
As Muslims we use every opportunity for Dawah to Islam. That should be the focus behind the feeding of the non-Muslim homeless people.
The Muslim homeless man should be advised to fast if he can and arrangements should be made for his meals accordingly.
Sohail ibn Arif,
Student Darul Iftaa
Chicago, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
فمعناه لغة الإمساك عن الفعل والقول وشرعا “هو الإمساك نهارا”…”بنية” لتمتاز العبادة عن المادة “من أهله” [i]
احترازا عن الحائض والنفساء والكافر والمجنون
حاشية الطحطاوي، ١/ ٦٣١ – ٦٣٢
مع نية من أهله) احتراز عن نية من ليس بأهل للصوم كالحائض والنفساء ونحوهما وهي شرط لصحة الأداء ليتميز) [ii]
بها العبادة عن العادة، وأراد بمعية النية معية الوجود لا معية الاستمرار كما في شرح المجمع (وهو) أي الأهل (مسلم) احتراز عن الكافر
مجمع الأنهر، ١/ ٢٣٠
وكذلك لا يجب الإمساك على المريض والمسافر لأن رخصة الإفطار في حقهما باعتبار الحرج ولو ألزمناهما لتشبه [iii]
“لعاد الشيء على موضوعه بالنقض ولكن لا يأكلون جهرا بل سرا كذا في الشرح قوله: “لحرمة الوقت
حاشية الطحطاوي، ١/ ٦٧٨