Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Islamic Eating Habits for the Holiday Season

biz-etiquette-tableIslamic Eating Habits for the Holiday Season

With Thanksgiving and New Year's all approaching towards the end of the year, we are all looking forward to some time off. It is a time of rest away from school and work as well as some good family time. We look forward the traveling as well as the tasty meals that we will be sharing with family and friends.

Even as we enjoy these precious and happy moments we should remember to enjoy or food and drink with moderation. As the Holy Qur’an tells us, “eat and drink but exceed not the bounds” (7:32). We do not want this season to pass by with us gaining a few pounds or coming away feeling unhealthy. The joy of rest and family should not be tainted by the stress of putting too much food or too much unhealthy food into our bodies. As Allah teaches us in the Qur’an (). Read More....
As Muslim youth we should show that we can have great fun and experience wholesome family gatherings but with good sense and moderation. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saws) explained to us that “Most people incur the loss in respect of two divine bounties: good health and leisure.” (Bukhari). We should therefore make every effort to safeguard the trust of our good health and enjoy our leisure time responsibly.

Here are some key reminders of the Holy Prophet (saws) concerning how we should approach our diet. These are especially helpful in this festive season of food abundance. As the festive season approaches let us share in the joy and fun without putting added stress on our bodies.
  • Do not eat until you are full. The Holy Prophet (saws) said: “We eat only when we feel hunger pangs and we stop eating before our hunger ceases.”
    • “A true believer eats for one stomach while a non-believer eats to fill seven stomachs.”
    • There is no vessel worse for a person to fill than his stomach. A few mouthfuls should suffice to keep him on his feet. But if he must eat more, then let him fill one-third of his stomach with food, one-third with drink and leave one- third for easy breathing.
  • Eat slowly and chew your food completely. One should not hurry when eating the food. Do not make your stomach do the job for your teeth.
  • Drink water in three sips and always when sitting down.
  • Eat just enough so that your body can digest it instead of the food digesting your body


On this subject of food Hazrat Ahmad (as) taught us in relation to ch. 7:32 “That is to say, eat meat and other foods but do not eat anything to excess, lest your moral state is adversely affected and your health might suffer. (Ahmad)

As Muslims we eat to live, we do not live to eat. Let this season find us in safeguard of this trust.


Notes
Hadith No. 97 Riyadhus Saliheen, Imam Nawawi, Trans. Ch. Zafrullah Khan

Islamic Instructions on Health and Nutrition Syed Shamshad Ahmad Nasir (Trans). . Al Nahl Q1 2003

Chapter 4. Pathway to Paradise

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