It’s Haram to Sell Overpriced & Spoilt Food Because it’s Cheating Customers’ Money, Says Penang Mufti

With the inflation ongoing, it’s understandable for some business operators to increase the price of their menus. But it’s definitely not okay if they take advantage of the situation and overcharge the customers for food with compromised quality.

In fact, it’s haram because it’s equivalent to cheating customers’ money, as confirmed by Penang Mufti, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor.

He explained the overpriced and low-quality food includes burnt or spoilt food sold in Bazaar Ramadhan and other places. Dr. Wan’s statement was made following major complaints from consumers who visited different Bazaar Ramadhan in the country and found the food not only expensive but also spoilt in some cases.

In a statement today (March 27), he urged food traders not to take advantage of people’s needs, especially when it comes to the food for breaking fast.

“Ramadhan is the time for everyone, including food vendors to get grace from God,” he added.

The act of dishonesty does not only ruin the reputation of one’s business but also how others may view the religion. In response to that, Dr. Wan said that Islam is a religion that preaches love among one another and urged a spirit of brotherhood among humankind.

“God cherish those who are reasonable when it comes to trading matters.”

It’s less than a week since Ramadhan kicked off but there have been a lot of complaints from customers who are not happy with the food they bought from different Ramadhan bazaars. From overpriced to spoilt, burnt food, many customers took to their social media to vent their anger after paying for food that was not worth the money.

This reminder goes out not only to the vendors in Ramadhan bazaars but also to other food traders at other places. What will you feel after bracing through a day of hunger and thirst only to find out your food is inedible?

Fellow Malaysians, how has your visit to Bazaar Ramadhan been so far?

Also read: “Don’t sell it!” – Fed up M’sian Urges Restaurants NOT to Sell Buttermilk Chicken if They Can’t Get it Right