Is it permissible to take leftover food from a restaurant owned by a non-Muslim without his knowledge if it is going to be thrown in the trash and if its price is requested should one wish to take it?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is forbidden to throw edible food into the trash if there is a way to benefit from it. If the shop owner orders it to be thrown away, it is permissible for whoever takes it to keep it for themselves or give it to the needy, because the shop owner's order means he no longer desires the food, and giving it to the needy is better than wasting it. It is stipulated that it should not be harmful or mixed with forbidden things like alcohol or pork, while also being careful not to aid in anything forbidden.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/54040
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 54040
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy