three reasons

[eninn]

1. over eating and drinking

2. less exercise and activity

3. emotional stresses

Australian researchers verified that people suffering from obesity are exposed to changes in the structure of the Heart muscle which affect its proper functioning, even if they did not have any heart disease. These changes might lead to later fall in the heart.

These are main factors that cause obesity and consequently cause dangerous disease like heart diseases, diabetes, blood pressure and cancer. But what about the Islamic teachings which was revealed 1400 years ago?

Allah, the Almighty, had specified a golden rule in diet as He said: " and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (All?h) likes not Al-Musrif?n (those who waste by extravagance)" (31:Al A'raf.). The most dangerous thing is extravagance and as long as the person is moderate he will be at the safe side, this is what stated by the western scientists!

Even, the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, had given us a remarkable rule in diet which explains Allah's saying (but waste not by extravagance), he peace be upon him says: (the son of Adam had filled a bowl not worse than a belly! Enough for the son of Adam are small mouthfuls to stand him up, but if he was beaten by himself then a third for the food, a third for drink and a third for breath) (the right sequence 2265). The prophet alienated his companions from overeating and said (the son of Adam had not filled a bowl worse than a belly) in order to have in front of their sight while eating that this food might be harmful to them if they fill their bellies with it!

[eninn]

Islam teaches us many etiquette's of eating and drinking. The Prophet (PBUH) made a point of developing remarkably clean and healthy eating habits among his followers. He asked the companions to wash their hands before and after, to start eating with the praise of Allah, to eat using the right hand, not to eat until they really felt hungry, not to eat and drink excessively. Finally, by praising and thanking Allah for the food and drink, for making it easy to swallow and for producing an exit for it. Eating, like any other act of a Muslim, is a matter of worship when performed according to the Islamic guidelines. SOME of the many food habits that had been practiced and performed by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

[eninn]

Eating with others bring about harmony and understanding among people. People are usually more relaxed when eating in company, this is one reason why families should always try to eat Together, not to mention this is the Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet (PBUH) Your mind is less absorbed in your daily activities and are free of worries. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought the attention of Muslims to the importance of eating together (Note: 'Eating together' here does not imply mixed eating by males and females at parties or banquets):

"Eat together and not separately, for the blessing is associated with the company." - Ibn Majah It was also reported that he said, "I do not eat reclining." Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5083.

He used to eat using the first three fingers (of his right hand), which is the best way of eating.

[eninn]

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), demonstrated to his followers the pleasures of sharing as opposed to over-indulgence in the good things of life. The sharing of food with neighbors, relatives, friends, the needy, and the destitute is emphasized. Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "He is not a believer who eats to his fill but his neighbor goes without food." Sahih Bukhari.

Prophet Muhammad elaborated on the duty of the Muslim to suppress greed, especially in eating. This appears in a very specific situation reported by Ibn Umar, in which the Prophet (PBUH) prohibited anyone taking two dates together before asking permission from his companions (Sahih Bukhari

[eninn]

The religion of Islam laid down the basis of dietary regulations as well as the limits within which Islam teaches man to enjoy the pleasures of life, including food, in a moderate way, not becoming a slave to his desires and not losing sight of his ultimate spiritual goal. A Muslim is advised to avoid extremes and to choose a moderate course in all his affairs, including his eating habits.

"O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer; eat and drink, but waste not by excess. For Allah loves not the wasters. "- Al-Qur'an, 7:31

[eninn]

Eating slowly is recommended for health. Slow eating reduces the consumption of food, as it postpones much of the meal to a time when the absorption of nutrients begin to produce physiological signals of satiety. Slow eating helps in chewing the food well. This results in the exercise of the jaws and mixing of the saliva with food. Hence, efficient digestion takes place because the food particles are cut into smaller pieces, not requiring as much churning in the stomach or intestine. (Less Heartburn)

[eninn]

And this is a new scientific method to which the psychiatrists gone today. As they alienated people from overeating and connect this to the dangerous diseases like cancer and other diseases as what we have seen in the previous studies. However, the noble prophet used this method of teaching before the western scientists by long centuries, what does this indicate?

Also, the prophet peace be upon him, made the overeating as the disbelievers' habits in order to get the people away from it. He, peace be upon him, said: (the disbeliever eats in seven intestines and the believer eats in one intestine) (Al Bukhari and Muslim). The prophet seemed to guide to lower food intake as much as possible in a hidden way (1: 7 parts). And in deed the avid person can eat food seven folds greater than what his body needs!

[eninn]

The second causative factor of obesity is emotional stresses, this was not overlooked by the prophet of mercy, peace be upon him as he said repeatedly to the Bedouin seeking for advice: "do not get angry..and repeated it many times"(Al Bukhari). Also the prophet considered the good manner as the heaviest thing in the one's balance at the Day of Judgment, he said: "there is nothing heavier in the balance than the good manner" (narrated by Al Tarmithi).

[eninn]

But, what about the daily activity which the scientists said that it a crucial factor in the treatment of obesity? The prophet, peace be upon him was the most active, moving and worshipper to Allah among people. The prophet had summarized this in one golden rule and said: "shall I guide you to doings by which Allah erase sins and raise grades" they said yes prophet of Allah, he said: "do ablution thoroughly on offenses, more footsteps to masjids and waiting for prayer after prayer as that is ArRabat" (narrated by Muslim).

Look with me at these daily practices that the believer can not leave till he meet Allah, the Almighty, the ablution is activity and cleanness, and the more footsteps to the masjid is the walking sport which the scientists consider as one of the best sports, and the prayer beside being a worship to Allah, it is a group of movements that is very beneficial to the spinal cord, heart muscle, belly and back, therefore, the life of the believer is full of activity and laziness never exits.

[eninn]

So, the prophet, peace be upon him, forbade overeating, also forbade anger, hatred, negative thoughts and ordered activity, walking and praying.

And do not forget, my beloved readers, that these teachings were pointed to a group of people who were accustomed to fulfill their bellies with food, moreover they were boasting in overeating as we knew from the life of ignorance era before the prophet delegation. Those people were also extremely angry and feverish for the most trivial reasons; a war that extended for 40 years was because of a camel!! The question here is that if the prophet wanted the power-as what the enemies of Islam claimed-why should he order his people with new habits that they may not response to him!

And what would he gain from these teachings? And why should he order them not to get angry and not to over eat…this has no logic explanation except to believe that the prophet did not give anything of his own desire but it is a revelation from Allah, the apostle, as he is the mercy bestowed upon us, and by Allah that if the Godless people knew the greatness of this merciful prophet and the strength of the teachings he came by, and if they were convinced with these teachings, the science would progress by hundreds years!

[eninn]

Supplication Before Each Meal: Since eating, like any other act of a Muslim, is a matter of worship, it begins with the name of Allah. Muslims are to start their eating by making the following supplication:

"O Allah! Bless the food You have bestowed upon us and protect us from the torment of hell. In the name of Allah we start. "(OR AT LEAST SAY .. Bismillah) - An-Nasa'i

Supplication After Each Meal: After completing the meal, Muslims praise and thank Allah for the blessing that He bestowed upon them. After finishing their meal, Muslims say the following supplication:

"Praise be to Allah the One Who gave us the food and the drinks. Praise be to Him Who made us Muslims. "(OR AT LEAST SAY .. Al-Humdullilah) - Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud

[eninn]

3. emotional stresses


Verily, anger corrupts faith like as the juice of bitter plants corrupt honey.

Whoso suppresses his rage, while he has the power to show himself, God will call on him on the day of resurrection before all creation, and reward him exceedingly.

"Who do you imagine to be strong or powerful?" asked the Prophet (PBUH). "He who throws people down," replied his disciples. "Nay!" said the Prophet, "It is he who masters himself when angry."

Verily, anger is a live coal in the heart of the son of Man; do ye not see the redness of his eyes, and the swelling of his two juglar veins? ...Whoso then feels anything of that, let him stick to the earth.

When one of you is angry while standing, let him sit down; and if his anger goes off from him, (then well and good), otherwise let him lie down.

My Lord has bidden me do nine things: the fear of God in secret and in public; a just word amidst anger and pleasure, and a middle way in poverty and affluence; and that I perform my relative duties to him who cuts off all ties with me, and give to him who denies me, and forgive him who wrongs me, and that my silence be for reflection, and my speaking be for remembrance (of God), and my eye (sight) be to take example, and that I bid justice.

Abu Bakr relates that he heard the Holy Prophet (PBUH) say: "Let no judge decide a case between two parties while he is in a rage."

Verily, Anger is from Satan.

[CatInASuit]

eninn - what are your thoughts on the attack on the Nairobi shopping centre?

[eninn]

yes dear

The attack on innocent people

This is forbidden in Islam is final

The person who does this
allah show him the punishment in this world and the Hereafter





thank you

[eninn]

Never Criticize Any Food: Food should not be criticized for any reason, despite personal disliking. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never criticized any food that was offered to him.

"The Prophet (PBUH) never criticized any food (he was invited to) but he used to eat it if he liked the food, and leave it if he disliked it." - Sahih Bukhari

[CatInASuit]

Interesting, because in the UK, for politeness it has always been a case of eating the food that you were offered regardless of whether you liked it or not. Leaving it was not really an option.

Also, what about foods like Marmite, which are advertised off its "Love it or Hate it" taste?

[eninn]

I see if it is free from pork fat or any material harmful to health

If all is well, but I use natural raw materials directly



I am always with you for any question about Islam
Thank you for your interest