Q:Alsalam Alaikum Imam,
what is the ruling about eating in the masjid?
Jazakum Allah Khairan
Time: Monday January 10, 2011 at 10:28 pm

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• Not haram to do so.
• Follow the rules of the musjid to avoid conflict. If the rules are unfair, take it up to the people in charge. Best to eat in the areas that are designated for eating.
• Eat in a private area is the food gives off a strong unwanted odor.
• At the time of the sahaba they eat very little. The food was not as messy as it seems in today’s time. Sahaba were not given the luxury of a musjid kitchen, large parking lots, cars to sit in for a sumptuous meal, etc. Eating in the musjid for the sahaba was not an issue as it is for current Muslims. For us eating in general remains a a luxury, for Sahaba is was a matter of survival. These facts must be kept in mind as one seeks to eat in the musjid.
• One should not eat in front of others if sufficient food does not exist, or if you just do not like to share.
• In light of the meals of today, we suggest one eats in the area that has been designated for a person to eat at. Place a nice paper, cloth under the eating area to maintain the dignity and sanctity of the place of worship.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.