Getting Rid of Spoiled Food

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: I wanted to inquire about treatment of food which have been expired or is no good in the light of Quran and Sunnah. I.E it was always emphasized that not a piece of Rice or Bread i.e no matter what the condition of it should go to waste, rather we should give it to a bird/animal for its respect. We could also find examples of food respect in the Prophetic tradition, but what about non cooked eggs which have been broken. is it alright to drain them in the sink? or is it disrespect towards the food. if it is Haram to do so, than what should be ones penalty.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

One takes all possible means so that food does not get spoiled in the first place, lest one fall into the vice of wastefulness (israf). [Nahlawi, Durar Mubaha]

If, despite taking those means, the food still gets spoiled, then it is best to give it to an animal (if reasonably possible) so that it is consumed and not thrown away.

If that is not reasonably possible though, such as with a broken egg, then there is nothing wrong with discarding it completely, as one really has no alternative.

May Allah protect us from being wasteful. Amin.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani