Diet in Islam

Keeping a balanced diet is important in Islam. The body is the greatest gift to a human from Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) and we should do our best to keep it healthy. We should accept how Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has created us, and not be sickly obsessed with how we look. However, we should have a varied diet with milk, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables and avoid what Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has made forbidden to us. When our physical body is healthy, our soul and spirit will also be healthy.

Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) says in the Quran: "O, believers! Eat of the good and pure (lawful) that We have provided you with and be grateful to Allah, if you truly worhip Him." - Quran 2:172

Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has forbidden certain food and drink because of it's harmful effects. Some effects have been found out through research, whilst others only Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) knows.

He says in the Quran: "He (Allah) has only forbidden you (from eating) dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that (animal) over which the name of other than Allah has been invoked." - Quran 2:173

"O, you who believe, intoxicants and gambling and altars and arrows of chance are tools of affliction used by the devil. You shall avoid him so that you may be successful." - Quran 5:90

Alcohol makes a person unaware of his speech and actions, he doesn't know what he is doing, and it's the source of all sins. There is some benefit in alcohol, but the harm is greater, that's why Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) prohibited it. Even a little alcohol can make you more lazy, or think that "prayer is not so important" or something similar, because you enjoy and have fun in other things.

Pork is also prohibited because it's a dirty animal. It eats the trash and what the humans do not want. There is a story about the Ark of Nuh, that says the pigs ate the garbage and stool of other animals and the people, even it's own. Some of the harmful things in the dirt can be transferred into the blood and meat of the swine. It is also the only animal that has sex without the intention of multiplying itself, but simply just "for fun."

There is a lot more reasons why Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has prohibited what He has prohibited; Some reasons we simply just don't know, whilst others have we found out. You might find out more about this by googling different researches on the topic.

There's so much food we can enjoy, so why think about what we are not allowed to eat? Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has created lots of different fruits and drinks and meat for us to eat.

"And the cattle, He has created them for you, in them there is warmth (clothing) and numerous benefits, and of them you eat." - Quran 16:5

"And from them both (fresh and salt water) you eat fresh tender meat (fish)." - Quran 35:12

"And verily in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from between excretion and blood, pure milk, palatable to the drinkers." - Quran 16:66

"And from the fruits of date palms and grapes, you desire strong drink and goodly provision." - Quran 16:67

All of these verses from the Quran kareem tells us what blessings there are in the food, and that we should vary our meals and eat from everything (lawful) Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has given us.

However, we shouldn't exaggerate our eating. Overeating will make us lazy and sleepy, and we will not perform our duties. Too much nourishment will make us sick in the long-run and we waste food, time and resources.

"And eat and drink, but waste not in extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not those who waste in extravagance." - Quran 7:31

Prophet Muhammed (sallalahu 'alayhe wa sallam) also said: "The stomach is the tank of the body and the veins go down to it. When the stomach is healthy the veins come back in healthy condition, but when it is in bad condition, they return diseased."

He advised us to fill 1/3 of the stomach with food, 1/3 with drink and 1/3 with air. We should also refrain from eating things that can pollute the stomach and things where there is no good nourishment.

Before eating one should have clean hands, say "bismillah", and eat with his right hand. A person eating with his left hand is eating with the devil.

Abi Bakr ibn Ubaidallah ibn Abdullah ibn Umar from his grandfather Ibn Umar, reported that Prophet Muhammed (sallalahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had said: "When any of you eat, let him eat with his right hand and when he drinks, let him drink with his right hand, because Shaitan eats with his left hand and drinks with his left hand."

Also a person should only eat when he really feels hungry, and stop eating before he feels he is too full. He should end the meal by saying "alhamdullilah."

Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) knows best.

Picture: Google