Islamic guidance on food and drink
In
The guidance of Islam on eating and drinking encourages Muslims to reflect and be responsible. Food is a blessing from Allah and should therefore be treated with thanks and respect rather than squandered.
The Holy Quran is abundantly clear about the need not to waste and teaches us to eat and drink within moderation.
Islam also strongly forbids the consumption of intoxicants and warns us to be mindful of all we eat and drink. By adhering to the Holy Quran and Sunnah we are able to form more healthy eating habits without straying from our religious duties.
These teachings are practical, and the above can be done through our simple day-to-day actions; eating what we reasonably require rather than piling it up, avoiding unnecessary wastage of delicious food, putting aside sufficient amounts for re-use or later meals and carefully planning quantities are simple strategies all easily achievable. We should pass the knowledge of appreciating food onto our children rather than letting them practice wastage. Taking caution when we consume substances prohibited such as alcohol and other intoxicants is also important.
We should investigate if foods are permissible should any uncertainty arise, and meat should be certified as pure, whilst it is forbidden to eat food dedicated to other than Allah (SWT).
Thank Allah for his blessings every day in the sustenance we are given. We must moderate our eating and drinking; being content with whatever we are given is preferred over endless greed and our actions are guided by the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
Here is a simple checklist to help implement these teachings of food and drink:
- only to put into your dish the amount you can realistically consume.
- not to waste delicious, eatable food.
- store eatable food for re-use later.
- always consider portion sizes when eating or storing food.
- teach your children to appreciate and respect all food.
- refrain from taking alcohol and any kind of intoxicants.
- investigate if certain foods are pure if uncertain.
- verify if meats are permissible.
- do not eat food dedicated to other than Allah (SWT).
- be grateful for Allah's blessings in the food we have.
- never exceed moderate amounts for consumption.
They must also adhere strictly to the guidance found within the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
Following these basic steps, any Muslim can adopt the Islamic codes of eating and drinking easily into their lifestyle.
Muslims are able to be conscious about their actions and accept Allah's blessings with proper intent, thus abstaining from that which is forbidden and developing gratefulness and contentment toward Allah (SWT).