What is the ruling on eating Khushaf, which is a mixture of dried fruits (figs, apricots, prunes, and dates) soaked in water and eaten at Iftar in Ramadan?

"Khashaf" is made from permissible soaked fruits and foods. However, it is disliked by the majority of scholars if it combines dates and raisins, or unripe dates and fresh dates, or any two ingredients from which intoxicants are made. This is because combining them accelerates their fermentation, and it might become intoxicating without the person realizing it. If signs of intoxication appear, or if it is highly probable that it has become intoxicating, then consuming it is forbidden.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, forbade mixing dates and raisins, or dates and unripe dates, or fresh dates and unripe dates together, because intoxication quickly sets in due to the mixing before its taste changes. Thus, the drinker might assume it is not intoxicating when it actually is.

This prohibition is for disliking (tahrim) for the purpose of preventing (tanzeeh), and it does not become forbidden unless it actually becomes intoxicating.

If the risk of fermentation in Khashaf is eliminated and it is placed in cooling devices before it ferments, the reason for the prohibition is removed. The basis for the dislike in this mixing is the fear of it becoming intoxicating; if that fear is absent, it is not disliked, but if it is highly probable that it will become intoxicating, it is forbidden.

Cooling the mixture by placing it in refrigerators helps delay intoxication. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta has issued a fatwa (definition) permitting Khashaf as long as its change does not reach the degree of intoxication.