A lady wrote to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa that they received food items from Hindus on Diwali, some of whom expressly informed them that the food was kept separate from puja [worship ritual performed by Hindus], but some simply gave a box and left without saying anything about it. She asked whether it was permissible to consume such food.
Huzooraa, while replying to the above question in a letter dated 13 December 2020, provided the following guidance:
“There is no harm in eating food which is prepared with halal ingredients, in clean dishes, following the principles of hygiene and which does not have any aspect of shirk in it. It is also not desirable to probe such matters beyond reason. However, before eating such food, ‘Bismillah …’ should be recited so that if there is any deficiency in the food, it can be compensated by the blessing of the name of Allah the Exalted. Islam also forbids breaking anyone’s heart unnecessarily, merely due to suspicion.
“The Promised Messiahas used to eat the food that came from Hindus and also used to accept and eat the sweets etc. which were gifted by them. Hence, while replying to the question of a person on whether the food prepared by Hindus was permissible, he stated:
“‘The Shariah has made it permissible. The Shariah does not insist on such restrictions; rather, it pays emphasis on:
قَدۡ اَفۡلَحَ مَنۡ زَكّٰهَا
“‘[“He indeed (truly) prospers who purifies it” (Surah al-Shams, Ch.91: V.10)]. The Holy Prophetsa would eat items prepared by Armenians and, in any case, one cannot do without it.’” (Al Hakam, No. 19, Vol. 8, dated 10 June 1904, p. 3)
