What is the ruling about turning legs towards food items?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Shariah teaches us that there is a certain level of respect (Adab) that a person should have for food. For example, one should not waste food or say anything bad about the food he dislikes etc. Showing respect to food can be understood from the following Hadith (which is suitable for narration):

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ دَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ الْبَيْتَ فَرَأَى كِسْرَةً مُلْقَاةً فَأَخَذَهَا فَمَسَحَهَا ثُمَّ أَكَلَهَا وَقَالَ ‏ "‏ يَا عَائِشَةُ أَكْرِمِي كَرِيمَكِ فَإِنَّهَا مَا نَفَرَتْ عَنْ قَوْمٍ قَطُّ فَعَادَتْ إِلَيْهِمْ ‏"‏-(سنن ابن ماجة-3353)‏

Translation: It was narrated that ‘Aishah said:

“The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) entered the house and saw a piece of bread that had been thrown (on the floor). He picked it up, wiped it and ate it, and said: ‘O ‘Aishah, show honor to the precious (i.e., food), for is the blessing of food departs from people, it never comes back.’” -(Sunan Ibn Majah-3353)

However, it should be known that respect (Adab) is subjective to societal norms, the understanding and practice of people. If people regard a particular act as respectful, then that will be regarded as respectful. Similarly, if a particular act is regarded disrespectful, that will be regarded as disrespectful.

To face one’s legs towards a table which has food on it is not generally regarded as disrespectful. Therefore, it will be permissible to do so.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mudassir Benish

Student Darul Iftaa
Houston, TX, U.S.A

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.