Islamic Guiding Principles Concerning Food. Drink and Entertainment

Islamic Guiding Principles Concerning

Food. Drink and Entertainment

By

Maulana Muhammad Zafrullah Khan,

Former Mufti Al-Markaz Al-Islami, Karachi.

 

Introduction:

Islam is a complete Deen—Way of Life’. The Holy Qur'an is a beacon of instructions for all aspects of  Islamic life. The Ahadees of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) are crystal clear explanation of the Our‘anic injunctions.

 

In the Ahadees of the Prophet (P,B.U.H) are also found detailed instructions regarding food, drink, dress, living, socialising and entertaining. By acting on these instructions the Muslims not only become entitled to Allah's pleasure and generous reward, but it also helps build intense mutual love and affection bteween them. A person professing to be a Muslim does the following wrong acts:—

(i) Starting eating without saying BISMILLAH

(ii) Eating with the left hand instead of the right.

(iii) Eating in a resting position

(iv Failing to thank ALLAH

(v) Taking food only from the top layer of the dish earns the wrath of the Creator.

One who indulges in the above mentioned wrong manners, is not only guilty of disregarding good manners, he is also considered to be depriving himself of the blessings of food and the means of living (RIZQ). It is with such a person that the Satan joins in eating.

 

The Muslims should, therefore, practice the under-mentioned Islamic Guiding Principles regarding food:—

 

1. ISLAMIC GUIDING PRINCIPLES REGARDING FOOD.

The First Principle: Every Muslim should earn his bread by the sweat of his honest brow. This action will bring blessings to his means of living (RIZQ), and comfort and gladden his soul. This is also a means of making him the beloved of Allah, producing concentration in Prayers and of the

acceptance of his supplications.

 

The Second Principle: Eating after saying Bimillah induces increase in the Rizq. Should one forget to say Bismillah at the start, he should say Bismilla in between. Otherwise he should say at the very end: BlSMlLLAH AWWALHl WA AKHIRlHl.

 

The Third Principle: Whether one is eating alone or with others, it is only properthatfood be eaten by the right hand by each, and from the front, sitting in a proper manner. However, a sick person can take his food in a resting position.

 

The Fourth Principle: Take food according to your appetite. Clean the utensil and your hand. After eating, lick your fingers and the dish clean, and then wash them. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) has said: 'You know not which part of the food has blessings" S0, every bit of food is important.

 

The Fifth Principle; Maqdam Ma’adikerb has told, with reference to the Hadees that, ration for the day's meal should be taken in correct and proper measure so that the cooked food is not wasted.

 

The Sixth Principle; Should you happen not to like the food, even then do not declare it to be bad. The

Prophet (P.B.U.H.) never found fault with the food. If he (P.B.U.H.) happened to dislike any food, he used to just withdraw his hand from that food.

 

The Seventh Principle; Eat Sareed that is, crushed oat-bread in soup. The favourite foods of the Holy Propel (P.B.U.H.) were:-

Meat of the forearms. Butter. Dry Dates. Hulvi. Vinegar. Beetroot. Oat-meal porridge and Fresh dates, Khuddoo, Cucumber, cheese and honey.

 

He (P.B.U.H.) considered Roti (bread) "Nay-muttam,” that is the best food.

 

The Eighth Principle; Eating meat by biting it with one‘s teeth is permissible in Sahariah. Should the teeth be not strong enough, it is permissible to cut the meat with a knife and eat it.

 

The Ninth Principle," According to the Hadith in Muslim and Tlrmizi, one who thanks Allah after taking food, will be awarded recompense equal to that of a patient observer of fasts. It is musnoon (precepted) that after meals every one should say:—

“Al-hmdo-lillahil lazi ataamni wa Saqani wa ja-aa-lani minal Muslemeen”.

 

The Tenth Principle; Do not take food with your shoes on. Hazrat Anus (R.A.) has reported that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: "Take off your shoes while taking food. This will give rest to your feet."

 

The Eleventh Principle; It was the habit of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) to sit down to eat. This noble habit removes feelings of pride and self-importance and generates the feeling of humility.

 

2. ISLAMIC GUIDING PRINCIPLES REGARDING DRINKS:

The First Principle,‘ The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has called cold water, a gift from Allah.

 

Hazrat Anus (R.A.) has reported that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to drink water in three sips, and while drinking he (P.B.U.H..) used to say: Bismillah or Alhamdo-lillah.

 

The Second Principle; Hazrat Anus (R.A.) has reported that except in special circumstances, or cases of

special difficulties and situations, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has forbidden drinking water while standing except in the case of drinking the Zam Zam.

 

The Third Principle; It has been declared bad manners to drink water milk, juices, tea and other drinks, while standing.

 

The Fourth Principle; Muslims have been forbidden to drink liquids from gold or silver ware. They have been warned that those who drink from gold or silver wares drink fire.

 

The Fifth Principle: The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) while ordering that water containers should be covered is reported to have remarked that covered water remains protected from the influences of the Shaitan and contagious diseases.

 

The Sixth Principle; It was the usual practice of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.) that during the summer he used to drink milk mixed with water and powdered oat-meal. Such a drink removes the effect of the hot summer.

 

The Seventh Principle; In view of their offensive smell, he (P.B.U.H.) has forbidden attendance in mosque after drinking bad smelling drinks and juices, especially the juices of onions and garlic.

 

The Eighth Principle; He (P.B.U.H.) was fond of Nabeez, in other words, Kheesandah, prepared of oats, dates, Sultanas and Wheat.

 

The Ninth Principle; All intoxicating drinks, of whatever type these may be, are strictly forbidden in Islam. In Qur'an-i-Kareem and Ahadees are mentioned the Shariah punishments prescribed for people who use intoxicating drinks.

 

3. ISLAMIC GUIDING PRINCIPLES REGARDING ENTERTAINMENT.

(Mishkat Sharif refers).

(i) The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has clearly stated that, according to one's means, every Muslim should entertain his guest for one, or for three days, with open arms. The guest is not entitled to more than this hospitality.

(ii) He (P.B.U.H.) has also said that hermits, Namazeez, and those observing fasts, should be entertained. This way you will be able to serve them and to assess your own failures in Islamic observances by comparing yourself with them at close quarters.

 

(iii) Should you desire to entertain your quest with a feast of the meat of your pet animals, ensure that

you do not slaughter milk-giving goats, and egg-laying hens.

 

(vi) It is a Sunnat to accept an invitation. But the invitation are forbidden to take many guests with them.

 

(v) In view of the social manners it is permissible to accept the invitation of non-Muslims on the condition that forbidden foods and drinks will not be served in that feast.

 

(vi) It is against Islamic principles of entertaining, to invite an/y the rich guests and ignore the poor.

 

(vii) Feasts in which food is served in the buffet style are against the Islamic Principles of entertaining.

(viii) Unless the Chief Guest is a dignitary, entitled to great honour and respect, no special seats should be reserved for any one. Such an unwarranted discrimination, if made, will be against the Islamic principles, of entertaining and is socially not right.

 

(English Translation by wing Commander (Rtd) M. Syed, Professor of English.)