6 – The foregoing disagreement applies only when a person feels a real need for the food and is preoccupied by it. If, however, he is not in need and it is simply the customary time for a meal, then the prayer—especially in congregation—comes first. Indeed, one should not arrange his mealtimes or sleeping hours so that they coincide with the time for prayer, thereby missing the prayer at its earliest opportunity because of his fixed routines for eating or sleeping.

7 – Al-Rawḍ and its marginal notes state: “It is disliked for a person to commence the prayer while food he desires is set before him.” Their phrasing also implies that if his appetite is not drawn to the food, he may begin the prayer without any dislike.