Islam is not just prayers and charity, but a complete way of life. Like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Prophetic Tradition addresses each aspect of our lives. The Prophet Muhammad SAWS taught us about food, nutrition, medicine, hygiene, behavior, marriage, parenting and so much more.
Study the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad SAWS, and you will fall in love with the perfection of Islam.
In all aspects of our lives, we need to refer to the Qur’an and Prophetic Tradition as our guide first. Whether it is medicine, nutrition,or any other matter, the Sunnah must be considered before any non-Muslim guidance.
Here’s why:
The fads of food come and go. Today, Veganism might be the “it” and tomorrow, eating dirt might be the “it”. But the astute Muslim must examine each fad according to Islamic guidance.
- Dairy-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Veganism
- Paleo
- Raw
- Low-fat Diet
- Keto Diet
All of these fads contain elements that are against the guidance of the Prophetic Tradition. Each one will be addressed separately in the days to come on this website, but for now, I’ll give you a few simple rules from the Qur’an and Sunnah that will make healthy living a lot easier.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“He it is Who created for you all that is on earth…” [al-Baqarah 2:29]
Everything is created for our use and consumption. As Muslims, we don’t ascribe to the notions that killing animals for food is inhumane, when the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate designed that some animals are for food and some are for use. Everywhere in the animal kingdom, you can see the Mercy and Justice of Allah. The food chain is part of His divine decree and wisdom, and our mercy and compassion is not greater than that of Allah SWT.
So we submit to His will and enjoy of the bounties He has bestowed upon us, without arrogance and with complete gratitude for the perfection of His divine plan.
The most merciful and the most perfect example was the Prophet Muhammad SAWS. His way of life is the most humane, the most compassionate way of life. If you truly aspire to live compassionately with the creation of Allah, then follow the guidance and footsteps of the most compassionate man that ever lived. Sallahu alahi wa salam.
“O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth…” [al-Baqarah 2:168]
The guidance for food and nutrition is immortalized in the Qur’an and Sunnah, so that despite the changes in trends and traditions, the preservation of our health remains unchanged. Simple rules set the foundation for our own ijtihad (due diligence) when making choices pertaining to food, nutrition and medicine.
“Say: ‘Who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by Allaah, which He has produced for His slaves, and al-Tayyibaat [all kinds of halaal (lawful) things] of food?’…” [al-A’raaf 7:32]
From this, we know that everything that grows from the earth is in principle halaal (permitted), and no-one should decree it to be haraam (forbidden) or makrooh (disliked) without sound Islamic evidence (daleel). (https://islamqa.info/en/1990)
Here are 7 simple rules to keep in mind for healthy, nutritious living according to Prophetic Tradition.
Each of these rules will be explained in further detail, independently in future articles.
- Eat what is Halal and Tayyib.
O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. (Surat Al Baqara:168)
- Eat and be grateful.
O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. (Surat Al Baqara:172)
- Do not eat your fill.
Miqdam bin Madikarib said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one third of food, one third for drink and one third for air.’” (Graded Sahih, Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 4, Book 29, Hadith 3349)
- Portion control.
Jabir reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Food for one (person) suffices two, and food for two (persons) suffices four persons and food for four persons suffices eight persons. (Sahih Muslim, Book 23, Hadith 5112)
- Eat together from one plate.
Narrated Wahshi ibn Harb: The Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) said: Messenger of Allah (we eat but we are not satisfied. He said: Perhaps you eat separately. They replied: Yes. He said: If you gather together at your food and mention Allah’s name, you will be blessed in it. (Graded Hasan, Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 27, Hadith 3755)
- Begin with the Name of Allah.
Narrated Umar ibn AbuSalamah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Come near, my son, mention Allah’s name, eat with your right hand and eat from what is next to you. (Graded Sahih, Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 27, Hadith 3768)
- End with gratitude.
Mu’adh bin Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “He who has taken food and says at the end: ‘Al- hamdu lillahi-lladhi at’amani hadha, wa razaqanihi min ghairi haulin minni wa la quwwatin (All praise is due to Allah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any endeavour on my part or any power),’ all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Riyadh as Saliheen, Book 3, Hadith 735).
Relationship with food
Our insatiable appetite, foodie attitude, and critique of food are all indications that our perspective of food has changed from nourishment into desire. The desire for food is insatiable, much like our desire for money, pleasure and sexual fulfillment. And desire is meant to be restrained and disciplined.
Eating is necessary for our survival. It is the permissible pleasure of this life (dunya). Overindulgence is the gateway to sin.
“O Children of Adam! Take your adornment to every Masjid, and eat and drink, but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not the wasteful” [Surat Al-Araf:31]
“Extravagance leads overstepping the mark, which means eating beyond the point of fullness. This is not limited to one or two or three meals a day. A person may eat one meal a day and eat extravagantly during that meal. Or he may eat three meals without being extravagant.
The hadeeth of al-Miqdaad encourages eating small amounts of food and being content with that which is enough to keep one going. It does not suggest the number of meals. These few mouthfuls may be eaten at three times, at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and he will be eating little in these meals. If he wants to eat more than a few mouthfuls – in his meal – he should leave one third (of his stomach) for his food, one third for his drink, and one third for air. If he needs another meal – as is the case for most people – there is nothing wrong with that, but he should pay attention to the same points noted above. The same applies if he needs to have three or four meals. The number of meals varies from one person to another, the type of food and the effort necessary to prepare it.
What matters is taking care of the body and not causing any harm, whether by overeating or starving. What also matters is eating to have strength to carry out acts of worship, which is achieved by eating moderate amounts, not by eating heavy amounts or going too hungry.” (https://islamqa.info/en/145160)
These are the core beliefs that a Muslim must have in order to preserve his health and nourish his body. Following diets that prohibit what Allah has permitted, or that permit what Allah has prohibited, are a deviation from the truth. The Creator of the Heavens and Earth is well aware of His creation, and what He has created. Is it not time that we turn to Him for guidance in the matters of food and health?