Eating : An Act of Worship

What strikes your mind when someone mentions worship? Most people would answer a ritualistic act performed in a prescribed place in a set manner, or something along those lines.

In Islam, every act done in day-to-day life is considered as worship if done in accordance to the ways prescribed by God (Allah). Eating, an act done to fulfill physical needs, is considered as a form of worship when done in the way prescribed by Allah and Prophet Muhammad with the proper intention.

Food plays a prevalent role in an individual’s life. There is no denying that food is one of the necessary requirements for the survival of a human being.

Islam acknowledges the importance of consuming food to nourish the body and mind. Only when the body is healthy can the mind be healthy.

Food in the Quran

The Quran and Sunnah recommend food rich in nutrients.

“O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, Lawful and good;…” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:168)

The Quran also says what means:

“So eat of (meats) on which Allah’s name hath been pronounced, if ye have faith in His Signs.” (Surah An’am 6:118)

“Lawful to you is the pursuit of water-game and its use for food,- for the benefit of yourselves…” (Surah Al Ma’idah 5:96)

“And verily in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive sign. From what is within their bodies between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it.” (Surah Al Nahl 16:66)

“It is He Who produceth gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season,…” (Surah Al An’am 6:141)

Live to Eat, or Eat to Live?

Islam emphasizes the concept of moderation in eating. Muslims are expected to eat for survival, to maintain good health, and not to live for eating. Moderation in dietary habits can help people to lead healthy and balanced lives. Modern research has proven that excessive eating and improper diet can increase the chance of diseases such as obesity, high cholesterol, heart diseases, and diabetes.

With regards to food, as with many other subjects in Islam, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, overeating has been strongly discouraged in the Quran and Sunnah.

“O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for God loveth not the wasters.” (Surah Al A’raf 7:31)

The Quran also says what means:

“(Saying): “Eat of the good things We have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess therein,…” (Surah TA HA 20:81)

In addition to the Quran, many hadiths, or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad encourage moderation.

The Prophet said, “No man fills a vessel worse than his stomach. A few mouthfuls that would suffice to keep his back upright are enough for a man. But if he must eat more, than he should fill one third (of his stomach) with food, one third with drink and leave one third for easy breathing” (Ahmad)

Reading these Quranic verses and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, some people may think that Islam is too caught up with details of everyday life. Why is so much attention given to something like food and eating when there are more important things like charity, mercy, love, and piety to be discussed? This stress on daily details of life is, however, part of the worldview of Islam. The essence of Islam lies in the relationship between the human being and his or her Creator: God (Allah). Therefore, Islam lays down suggestions and rules for living in order to promote the maintenance of the kind of living that achieves the best results for this relationship. Consequently, Islam believes that optimum spiritual health can only be achieved if one is physically sound.

Food With Healing Properties

There are many Quranic verses and Prophetic sayings that recommend certain foods, such as honey, dates, figs, milk, and olives, for their healing properties.

For example, the Quran mentions the healing properties of honey:

“And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men’s) habitations; Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.” (Surah Al Nahl 16:68-69)

The date, a fruit known for its rich nutrient value, is also recommended.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar: Allah’s Apostle said, “Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree.” Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer the others then asked, “What is that tree, O Allah’s Apostle ?” He replied, “It is the date-palm tree.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book #3, Hadith #58)

The olive is mentioned several times in the Quran.

“It is He Who produceth gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters.” (Surah Al An’am 6:141)

Prohibited Foods in Islam

In Islam, all foods are allowed except for those which are harmful. The Quran lays down injunctions regarding diet.

“He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:173)

“Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food). Say: lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah: eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it: and fear Allah; for Allah is swift in taking account.” (Surah Al Ma’idah 5:3-4)

Alcohol is also prohibited.

“They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: “In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.” They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: “What is beyond your needs.” Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider-“ (Surah Al Baqarah 2:219)

Eating and Drinking Etiquette

Islam also stresses proper eating and drinking etiquette. Some examples of etiquette which are encouraged include washing one’s hands before and after eating, saying “in the name of Allah” before starting to eat, never eating unless one is hungry, never indulging in excessive eating or drinking, sitting while drinking, and, finally, returning back to the main objective of helping people to improve and elevate their relationship with their Creator, praising and thanking Allah for the blessings of food and drink.

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– By Amatullah Abdullah
Source: www.readingislam.com

Amatullah Abdullah is a freelance writer who resides in Chennai, India. Her essays have been published in India, the UK, and the US. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and is currently working on her master’s. Amatullah Abdullah is is the managing editor of Iqra! Newspaper, and an active member of the Islamic Writers Alliance (IWA).