You are what you eat...(Part 2)

*************************** In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ************************ Reflection ************************ The Declining Day (Al-'Asr) 1. By the declining day, 2. Lo! Man is in a state of loss, 3. Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. ************************** IN Islam, 'you are what you eat' (the food you take) do not end up with only our physical appearence and health but most importantly it effects our inner self or spiritual aspect of life (our soul). ************************ The effects of taking 'haram' (forbidden) food make it hard for us to be associated with the positive way life such difficult to perform one's 'solat' (prayers) or gaining 'khusyuk' (total concentration) when doing it. ************************** The flesh that 'grows' from taking 'haram' food need to be fed with 'haram' food. This viscous circle would burden a person and it is difficult to be freed from it. It would definately block a person from having His (Allah SWT) straight path or light. ************************ A miniature portion of 'haram' food badly effects our heart. It is liken to a drop of ink on a white sheet of paper, if more drops fall on the paper, the sheet would be blackened and of no use anymore. ************************* If the heart is blacken, it would be difficult for us to differentiate what is good and bad. 'Haram' food that 'grows' and gives strength to our body, blood and flesh would end up as fuel in Hellfire. ******************** Every scoop of 'haram' food that is fed into our mouth would have the say in our attitudes and actions. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says: "That flesh which has grown out of haram food will not enter 'jannah' (paradise). Hell has more right to it." (Ahmad: Tirmidhi) ********************** He, s.a.w. also said, "There will come a time upon my ummah when people will not be concerned over what they take. It will not matter for them whether it is haram (forbidden) or halal (permissable)." (Bukhari: Nasai) ******************** It is further reported that, "When this time comes, then none of their 'duas' (supplication) will be accepted" (Razeen). It is narrated in another hadith, "It is better for you to consume sand rather than eating anything 'haram'." (Ahmad) ********************* 'Haram' food has a detrimental effect on one's spiritual development. It has a direct effect on one's actions. One who consumes haram will not feel any enthusiasm to perform good deeds and it will lead him/her towards sinful deeds. Haram also acts as a barrier such that 'duaas' are not accepted. ********************* The Almighty Allah (SWT) says, "O people of Imaan! Eat of the pure things (halal) that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah." (Surah Baqarah 2:172) ******************** On the authority of Abu Huraira (r.a.) who said, The Messenger of Allah SWT said, "Allah, the Almighty is pure and accepts only that which is pure. Allah has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the messengers, and the Almighty has said, 'O Messengers! Eat of the pure things, and do righteous actions'. And Allah the Almighty has said: "O` you who believe! Eat of the pure things wherewith we have provided you." Then he mentioned (the case of) a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky (saying): O' Lord! -- While his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can his supplication be answered!" (Muslim) *********************** In another narration, it is narrated that an angel at Bayt al-Maqdis proclaims every day and night: “Whosoever consumes unlawful (haram) food, Allah SWT will not accept his obligatory (fard) and voluntary worship.” (al-Kaba’ir of Imam Dhahabi) ************************* Other than 'haram' food that should be avoided, Muslims are told to be moderate in his eating and drinking. One who does not follow this rule would have the effect of spoiling his body and health. ********************** A good Muslim is moderate in everything he does including when taking his food and drinks. He do not eat or drink what is harmful, especially if it is forbidden. He also avoid greed and consume only what he needs to maintain his well-being and energy. The Qur'an says with the meaning: "Eat and drink; but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters." (Qur'an 7: 31) ************************* Regarding this matter; the Prophet s.a.w. said: "Man has not filled a container worse than his stomach; he should be satisfied with a few bites to survive. However, if his appetite beats him, let it be a third (of his stomach space) for his food and a third for his drink and a third for his breath." (Ahmad) ************************ Umar al-Khattab said: "Beware of filling your stomach with food and drink, for it is harmful to the body and causes sickness and laziness in performing prayers. ******************** "Be moderate in both food and drink, for that is healthier for your bodies and furthest removed from extravagance. Allah will hate the fat man (one who revels in a life of luxury), and a man will not be condemned until he favours his desires over his religion." ********************* Fatness appears when the human body takes more calories than it needs, that is the food entering the body is much greater that what is need or excreted. ************************* Therefore, in order to achive the right balance, food must be choosen correctly to give the body what it needs from proteins, vitamins and so on. *********************** Good prices should be considered because it is included in the order of Allah SWT not to waste. The food should be well-grown and well-cooked to reduce the harm that could occur. - Rules for the Muslim Home (Sa'eed Muhammad Al-Deeb, IIPH) ********************** In Islam, one does not eat to meet a physical need or for pleasure but to support the body the body to worship Allah SWT, The Most Sufficient 'Who feeds and is never fed'. (Bukhari) ********************** Eating becomes an 'ibadah' (act of worship) when undertaken with the right intention, in conformity to Islamic law, by following the Prophet's (s.a.w.) example and with a deep understanding of the act itself. ****************** In Islam, food is a blessing, a gift and sustenance from Allah SWT The Most Exalted. When we eat with the consciousness that it is an act of worship, we are more likely to be less wasteful in our eating, eat less and think of others who are in need of food. ********************* When consumed with consciousness of Allah SWT, food becomes a source of divine grace and blessing (barakah). - Eating in Islam (Perkim) ******************* You are what you eat...a good Muslim eat 'moderately' thus he would lead a 'moderate' life style. ******************** The Prophet s.a.w. described moderation in eating as a characteristic of the Believer: "The Believer eats in one stomach whist the disbeliever eats in seven." (Bukhari and Muslim)