(Part No. 2; Page No. 489)  Ruling on distributing food and drink following Khatmah Fatwa no. 2740 Dear scholars, what is the ruling on the following question:Did the Prophet (peace be upon him), any of his Sahabah (Companions, may Allah be pleased with them), the Tabi`un (Followers, the generation after the Companions of the Prophet), their successors, or the Salaf (righteous predecessors) distribute food, drinks, or desserts following Khatmah (completing of one reading of the whole Qur'an) during Qiyam-ul-Layl (optional Prayer at night) in Ramadan?If this was an established custom that was practiced during the time of the early generations of Islam, please tell us the book, page number, volume, and edition that proves this. If this is not confirmed, please give us evidence to show whether or not this is permissible, knowing that this is done as a duty believing that the food, drinks, and desserts will bring blessings.

A: As far as we know, it is not authentically related that the Prophet (peace be upon him), any of his Sahabah, the Tabi`un, or the Imams of the Salaf distributed food, drinks, or desserts following Khatmah of the Qur'an during Qiyam-ul-Layl in Ramadan and made this a duty. This practice is Bid`ah (a rejected innovation in religion) that has been introduced into the Din (religion), because it is done following an act of `Ibadah (worship) and done due to it at that specific time. Every Bid`ah in the Din is a misguidance, as it implies an accusation that the Shari`ah (Islamic law) (Part No. 2; Page No. 490) is imperfect. Allah (Exalted be He) says: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion. It is authentically narrated on the authority of Al-`Irbad ibn Sariyah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave us a speech that made the hearts afraid and eyes shed tears. We said, "O Messenger of Allah! It was as if this was a farewell speech; so advise us." He (peace be upon him) said, "I advise you to have Tawqa (fearing Allah as He should be feared), to listen and obey, even if a slave is appointed as your leader. Those of you who live after me will see much discord, so hold onto my Sunnah (way) and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs after me; adhere to this and hold onto it with your molars. Beware of newly introduced matters (in religion), as every newly introduced matter is Bid`ah, and every Bid`ah is misguidance." It is also authentically narrated on the authority of Malik ibn Anas (may Allah be merciful to him) who said, "Anyone who introduces something into the Din that is not from it has claimed that Muhammad betrayed the Message." And Allah (Exalted be He) says: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion. Any matter that was not part of the Din cannot be part of the Din today.There is no harm, however, if these things occur occasionally, without being a duty.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.