Islam is a practical religion with rules and manners governing every aspect of the life of an individual Muslim. This code of conduct however, is not to be viewed as restrictions per se or even as a matter of mere social courtesy. Rather it is derived from the broad objectives of the religion and hence is a reflection of its ideas and values.

Here, we examine the relationship between the food that we consume and our physical as well as spiritual health. A Muslim eats to maintain a strong and healthy body and mind not only to be able to perform acts of worship (ibadah), but also to be able to contribute his knowledge and efforts for the welfare of society. In the Islamic context therefore, it is important for us to understand and appreciate the concept of Halal and Haram. Halal food and drink is that which is permitted for Muslims.

• It does not harm or interfere with the normal functioning of the body and mind

• It is free of najis (filth) and of products derived form carrion or from dead animals that have not been properly slaughtered or hunted

• It is free of products derived from pigs or dogs or other haram animals

• It harms or negatively interferes with physical or mental functions

• It contains najis or products derived from carrion, animals that have died of natural causes, or from pigs or other haram animals

• It comes form a permitted animal that was not slaughtered in an acceptable way or if it was not prepared properly

The saying, "You are what you eat" is well-recognised in Islam. Food that is eaten does not merely become excreta, but it is also absorbed and metabolized into the system and circulated to all parts of the body, including the brain and the heart. Hence the cleanliness of the body, mind and soul literally depends on the cleanliness of the food we consume. From the physical aspect, dietary restrictions are necessary to ensure that a Muslim takes care to eat only that which is pure so as to avoid diseases which occur through the consumption of filthy food. Clean food leads to a healthy body and this will enable a Muslim to increase his ibadah and perform them more perfectly. The relationship between food and health can be extended even further in that a clean body creates healthy progeny. Indeed, outward cleanliness is the first step to purity of the soul - often both go together. So in Islam cleanliness is part of faith. From the spiritual aspect then, a Muslim has to keep himself pure by consuming only clean food because Allah subhana�llahu wa ta�ala is pure and loves purity of men.

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah radiya�llahu �anhu that the Prophet salla�llahu �alahi wa sallam said, "Truly Allah s.w.t. is pure. He does not accept but what is pure. Allah s.w.t. commands the believers with what he has commanded the Messengers. He has said: O you Messengers, eat of the good things and act righteously (Al-Mu�minun 23:52-53); and He has also said: O you who believe, eat of the good things which We have provided for you (Al-Baqarah 2:167-172)." Then the Prophet s.a.w. mentioned (the case of) the man who lengthens out his journey, who is disheveled and dusty, but who stretches out to heaven (saying), �O Lord! O Lord!� (while) his food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothing was unlawful, and he is nourished with unlawful things, how can he be responded to for that?" [Muslim]

We shall now turn to discuss the reasons for dietary restrictions in Islam with regard to certain kinds of food and drink and the benefits thereof to one�s health.

Apart from the physical damage it wrecks on the drinker, it is also a source for many social problems. But above all, it keeps one�s mind from its most important function � an awareness and reverence of Allah s.w.t. The Prophet s.a.w. has warned: "When something could cause addiction, avoid taking even small amounts of it." In Islam therefore, alcohol is totally prohibited, because its harm is greater than its gain.

"In them (intoxicants and gambling) is great sin, and some profit, but the sin is greater then the profit." (Al-Baqarah 2:219)

Carrion

The term here refers to an animal which is dead not through slaughtering, but due to a natural death or other causes, and whose flesh is decaying. Muslims are forbidden to consume carrion so as to avoid the transfer of diseases from the decaying flesh to our body. However, there are two exceptions to carrion being haram, and they are fish and grasshoppers.

The primary function of blood is to transport oxygen, digested food and hormones to all parts of the body as well as to transport carbon dioxide and waste products away from the body in the form of perspiration, excrement and exhalation. It is this presence of waste products and bacteria in the blood that makes it haram for consumption. The exceptions are the liver and bone marrow.

Pork

Pigs are known to be dirty animals by nature, given the waste they eat and the filthy conditions in which they live. It has been scientifically proven that they transmit germs that can cause serious and fatal diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and typhoid. Clearly then, it is largely for health reasons that eating of pork has been forbidden. However, there is an exception to consuming haram animals such as pigs. This is when there is a situation of emergency, famine for instance, where the question is no longer that of hygiene, but of preserving one�s life.

Further, Islam has introduced the concept of slaughter whereby a naturally halal animal would have to be properly slaughtered for it to be halal for consumption � a naturally haram animal cannot be made halal by slaughter. Types of haram animals include dogs and pigs; donkeys; wild animals with canine teeth e.g. cats; filthy creatures e.g. cockroaches; birds with talons e.g. eagles; animals which Muslims are forbidden to kill e.g. spiders and ants; food that has been offered to idols; animals with toxins or poison e.g. snakes. Slaughtering is mandatory to ensure the complete drainage of blood from the animal�s body, thus minimizing the chances of microbial infections. This is compatible with the overall concept of Islam that is always emphasized in Islam. The rules relating to slaughter also ensures minimal pain to the animal.

In conclusion, it is only in following the commands of Allah s.w.t. and the advice and hadith of the Prophet s.a.w. in our dietary habits with sincerity that we will find our actions to be in accord with human nature. It is then that we will reap great health benefits for ourselves, both physically and spiritually.

• Allah did not create any illness without also creating a remedy, except death (old age). Allah said that he who lives according to the Qu�ran will have a long life.

• The stomach is the home of disease and abstinence the head of remedy.
• In the sight of Allah, the best food is shared by many.
• Allow food to cool before eating, for in hot food there is no blessing.
• There is blessing in three things: in the early morning meal, in bread and in soup.
• Use miswak. Its use brings cleanliness, and cleanliness comes from faith, and faith takes its practitioner to heaven.
• The dish pleads for mercy of the one who takes up the last morsel.
• Less food, less sin.
• Let no one drink standing up, except one who is suffering from sciatica (pain in the lower back, hips and legs).
• Whoever is sick for seven days, thereby he expiates the sins of seventy years.
• When the Prophet s.a.w. came before a sick person, he used to say: Get rid of evil delusions. Strength is with Allah the Almighty. Cure and be cured. There is no healing but Yours (Allah�s).

 

Reference:

1. Interpretation of the Meanings of THE NOBLE QU�RAN by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan
2. Muslim Diet: Halal and Haram Food and Drink by MUIS
3. Pedoman Ilmu Fiqh by Hj Osman B Jantan