Question:
Assalam alaykum I would like to know the opinion regarding the consumption of food in front of a fasting person during Ramadan. If a non-muslim, or a muslim who is not fasting due to illness or any other valid reason, wants to eat or drink, is it unreasonable to request them to have it in private or away from those who are fasting? Awaiting your response. Thank you.
Fatwa:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
A person who breaks the fast for a sound reason should not eat openly in front of the people, let alone a person who breaks the fast without a valid reason. The jurists stated that whoever breaks the fast due to sickness or travel, should not eat in front of the people who do not know the reason why he broke the fast so that he does not subject himself to accusations and punishment from the ruler.
When eating and drinking openly, one invites the dissolute people to transgress the honour of this month and then they eat openly.
Finally, it should be noted that the authorities in Muslim countries should prevent people from eating openly whatever the reason might be and whoever the person might be even if he is a non-Muslim.
Allah Knows best.