What is the decree about leaving food uncovered? It is said that the food that is left uncovered cannot be eaten. Is it true?

It is said that it is not permissible to leave food uncovered at home or anywhere else; is it true? They say the food that is left uncovered will cause an illness.

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is not a sin to leave the food uncovered. However, the Prophet advised us to cover the food and drinks. It is nice to follow this advice but a person who does not act accordingly is not regarded to have committed a sin.

It is not appropriate to leave food and drinks uncovered because some living beings like flies, insects and ants, the foreign substances around and in the air can enter in them and they can go off quickly when they contact air. Therefore, it is among good manners to be careful and to cover the food and drinks.   

When they are put in a fridge or cupboard, they are regarded to have been covered. 

There are two hadith narrations regarding the issue:

"Cover the containers and tie the mouths of your water skins" (Bukhari, Ashriba, Bab 22, Bad´ul-Khalq: 11, 14, Isti´zan: 49, 50; Muslim, Ashriba: 96-99)

"When night falls (or when it is evening), stop your children from going out, for the devils spread out at that time. But when an hour of the night has passed, release them and close the doors and mention Allah's Name, for Satan does not open a closed door. Tie the mouth of your waterskin and mention Allah's Name; cover your containers and utensils and mention Allah's Name. Cover them even by placing something across it, and extinguish your lamps." (Bukhari, Ashriba, Bab 21, Hadith no: 47, 48)

For more information please click on the link given below;

What is the sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) regarding eating?

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