Eating food at the time of Maghrib prayer in Saudi Arabia

24-2-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it true that if we eat food at the time of Maghrib prayer, our ancestors who are dead cannot get food in Heaven? It's a common practise in my place not to eat during Maghrib due to this reason. Can you please explain in the light of Hadeeth and Sunnah?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

Saying that the people in paradise would not find any food to eat if we eat our food at the time of Maghrib, is a false statement and a wrong belief. The food and supply of the people in Paradise is always abundant regardless of the changing of the season. Allaah says (which means): {And by water flowing constantly. And fruit, abundant [and varied]. Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden.}[56:32-33]. Imaam Ibn Katheer may Allaah have mercy upon him commented on this verse saying: 'It means that their supply is never cut off neither in winter nor in summer. The eating of food and fruits is always constant; whenever they need it, they find it. Everything is at their disposal with the Power of Allaah.' Moreover, Allaah says (which means): {The example [i.e. description] of Paradise, which the righteous have been promised, is [that] beneath it rivers flow. Its fruit is lasting, and its shade.}[13:35]. This means that in it there is food, fruits and drinks without interruption and without end.

Ibn 'Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him narrated that there was an eclipse at the time of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) who with the companions may Allaah be pleased with them performed the eclipse prayer. After the prayer the companions told him sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ): "We saw you reaching to get something while in your prayer and then you stopped."  Upon this he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "I saw Paradise, and I touched a bunch of grapes. Had I took it, you would have eaten from it until the Day of Judgement." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Therefore, the food of the people of Paradise is not cut off or interrupted because the people eat at the time of Maghrib or for any other reason. This is nothing but a superstition that has no foundation in religion. 

Allaah knows best.

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