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Ibn Kathir Tafsir of the Glorious Qur'an |
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Eat
well, work well, live well !!
(importance of a balanced diet in
Islam)
Apart from adhering to the numerous other
injunctions regarding nutrition (such as moderation, eating
according to Sunnah etiquette, eating only Halaal, etc.),
Islam also enjoins the importance of a good, balanced diet. "O
Messengers! Eat of the wholesome things and perform virtuous
deeds" the Qur'an orders. A wholesome, balanced diet is an
integral part of Islamic life. Analysis of various verses from
the holy Qur'an clearly show that the foods spoken about in
it, will fulfil one's daily protein, carbohydrate, fat and
vitamin requirements.
Qur'anic verses speak about the importance of, among other
things:
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meat (6;118) |
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dates 6;141) |
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milk (16;66) |
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olives (wat-Teen) |
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pomegranates (6;141) |
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figs (wat-Teen) |
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fish (16;14) |
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honey, etc. |
Other than Qur'anic verses, we have the authentic Sunnah of
Rasulullah (sallallahu-alaihi-wasallam) which also testifies
to the importance of a balanced diet. The fact that Nabi
(alayhis-salaam) would at times eat cucumber together with
dates in order to balance the opposing hot and cold effects in
these foods is a proof of this. Many other examples can be
cited here as well. For greater information, the detailed
works of Hadith such as Shama'il-Tirmidhi can be
consulted.
Suffice it to say that extremes in diet were not the
practice of our noble Rasul (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and
are not recommended in Islam. It is amply clear then that
clinging to vegetarianism or only some foods as a diet pattern
to the exclusion of other important foods should not be the
practice of a Muslim. This is the practice of other nations,
not Muslims. Abstaining from some of Allah's favours (for no
valid reason) is like turning away from all of His favours!
This is a serious thing. In fact, Allah Ta'ala warns us in the
Qur'anic verse: "O ye who believe! make not unlawful the good
things which Allah has made lawful for you..." 5;90. At
another juncture, He says:
"Why should you not eat of meats on which Allah's name has
been pronounced, when He has explained to you in detail what
is forbidden for you..." 6;119
Islam itself is a balanced way of life that is pure from
all forms of excesses. A balanced diet fits beautifully into
the balanced teachings of Islam. It is a natural corollary to
Islam. The Islamic way of life is a natural lifestyle suited
to the temperament of mankind at large. Islam is opposed to
extremes in the physical as well as spiritual matters of life.
Islam always promotes the middle path and this Ummah has been
declared in the Holy Qur'an as being "the nation of the middle
path". So long as Muslims adhere to this general principle of
Islam in every matter of their lives, they can look forward to
not only good physical health but even an excellent mental,
psychological and spiritual state of well being, by the Will
of Allah.
Let all believers in the Qur'an endeavour to introduce all
of the above mentioned foods into their daily diet patterns.
After all, there has to be some very special importance in
these foods if Allah Ta'ala chose to mention them in His Holy
Book or they are to be found in the Hadith of Rasulullah
(sallallahu- alayhi- wa- sallam)! These will, Insha-Allah
prove to be the key to a good, healthy life. Let Muslims adopt
these and encourage their children to adopt these as a
lifelong diet pattern, Insha-Allah!
Mufti Zubair
Bayat
Islamic
Info - Miscellaneous
Source: Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)
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