If the food is not present but he is hungry, then he should not delay the prayer. For if we were to say otherwise, it would follow that a poor person should never pray, since he may always be hungry and craving food.
If the food is present but he is full and has no interest in it, then he should pray, and there is no dislike in his case.
The same applies if the food is present but he is prevented from eating it, whether legally or physically.
A legal impediment would be, for example, when the food for breaking the fast is present at the time of the Asr prayer, and a man is extremely hungry. We do not say: “Do not pray Asr until you eat after sunset,” because he is legally prevented from eating it, so there is no benefit in waiting.
Likewise, if food belonging to someone else is brought before him and he craves it, it is not disliked for him to pray at that time, because he is legally prevented from eating it.
A physical impediment would be, for example, if hot food is served to him which he cannot eat. Should he pray, or wait until it cools, then eat, and then pray?
The answer is that he should pray, and his prayer is not disliked, because there is no benefit in waiting.
Similarly, if food that belongs to him is brought before him, but there is an oppressor present who prevents him from eating it, then it is not disliked for him to pray, because he gains nothing by delaying the prayer while being physically prevented from his food.
In summary, the matter requires three conditions:
- The food must be present.