Al Ain, August 29: Bringing varieties of delicious foods for fasting Muslims at iftar is a virtuous act that enables a host to enjoy satisfaction and blessings from Allah.
The act, however, often becomes absurd and contradictory to the very spirit of fasting when huge quantities of surplus food end up in garbage bins.
Expressing displeasure at wasting surplus food, religious scholars have asked people to be more responsible and avoid activities contradicting the philosophy of Sayyam (fasting).
“Wastage of food is a sin and a violation to the very concept of Ramadan,” said Assad Bashir, a prayer leader at a mosque. Food wastage increases in Ramadan since people cook as much as they can. This results in dumping of big quantities of surplus food in the municipality’s garbage bins,” he said.
“We don’t appreciate it,” explained Bashir, adding that it is painful to see heaps of uneaten food in dustbins.
The spirit of Ramadan, said the scholar, is reconciliation and rapprochement with the Almighty, while refraining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. “This teaches obedience to a Muslim, but he commits a violation when gets involved in the act of food-wasting which is a sin,” he said.
Mustafa Jamal, an Egyptian prayer leader, said Muslims must make use of the benefits associated with fasting. “It carries numerous health benefits and also teaches a moral to Muslims to feel and understand the hunger, depravation and suffering of fellow human beings,” he said.
Preparing excessive amounts of food and then throwing it away is a clear violation of the Quran that commands believers to eat and drink but not indulge in excesses, said Jamal. “When people throw away surplus food, they actually [are violating the] Quran and also the very concept of Ramadan. It is regretful,” he added.
He said Muslims must choose simple food during the month and the money they would have spent on lavish and extra food should rather be donated to different charities. “That money should go to underprivileged people to help them in fulfilling the basic needs,” said the scholar. Islam, he said, strictly forbids exaggeration or an act that is beyond the normal or sufficient in any field.
Both Bashir and Jamal were of the view that many people wrongly view Ramadan as a festive season.
“Such people have lost the real concept of this exalted month and also waste their time in mere talks, watching television, and parties,” they said.
“It is not enough just to refrain from food and drink. They must employ their time in this holy month to reap maximum blessings through religious guidance, reciting prayers, and getting involved in charity works.”
-Agencies