'Nafs': Body Rights in Islam

 

Fulfilling the Rights of Fellow Muslims (Part 5)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue today the series of sermons on the rights of fellow Muslims, and today I will talk about the rights of one’s own self [Nafs].

 

Life on earth is a God-given temporary trust [i.e. Amanat] to the human race. We are all the property of Allah (twt) and all that we are belong exclusively to Allah. And while belonging to Allah, contrary to His other creatures, He has bestowed upon us freewill and rights that we have to both respect and implement.

 

So, it is therefore incumbent for us to use and guard this trust according to the Divine command. Among the rights incumbent on us in respect of our lives are:

 

1.     The protection of its health and strength.

    2.     The guarding of its peace.

 

This means to refrain from any such activity which unnecessarily imposes strain and frustration. Neglect in these rights results in interference with one’s Deen. Peace of mind and courage are destroyed and in consequence one will fail to render service to others. At times, due to the frustration and weakness, one’s condition aggravates to the degree where one’s very faith [i.e. Iman ] is in danger of elimination. This grievous state is manifested due to the impatience and ingratitude fostered by frustration and depression which overtakes man who has failed in fulfilling the rights of his own body and soul.

'Halal' Food in the Qur'an

Qur'anic Commandments- 4

Let man consider the food he eats! We pour down abundant water and cause the soil to split open. We make grain grow, and vines, fresh vegetation, olive trees, date palms, luscious gardens, fruits, and fodder: all for you and your livestock to enjoy. (80:25-33)

'It is He who produces both trellised and untrellised gardens, date palms, crops of diverse flavours, the olive, the pomegranate, alike yet different. So when they bear fruit, eat some of it, paying what is due on the day of harvest, but do not be wasteful: God does not like wasteful people. [He gave you] livestock, as beasts of burden and as food. So eat what God has provided for you and do not follow in Satan’s footsteps: he is your sworn enemy. (6:142-143)

‘Lord, send down to us a feast from heaven so that we can have a festival– the first and last of us– and a sign from You. Provide for us: You are the best provider.’ (5:115)

The food that we consume affects our physical well being, internal disposition and external conduct in such subtle yet profound ways that it requires deeper consideration for its implications on our morals and manners. Historically and spiritually, the criterion of discrimination between the bad and the good, the unlawful and the licit, has been Divinely-ordained for the knowledge and guidance of man from the dawn of civilization. Hence, dietary restrictions and regulations are found in almost all religions of the past. Indeed, the Islamic tradition of ‘Halal’ is the quality process of purity and wholesomeness that makes something lawful and appropriate for consumption and beneficial enjoyment. 

The Holy Qur’an offers vital guidance on the lawful and the unlawful when it comes to consumption of food. The Word of God points to the intimate connection between the consumption of food and the spiritual disposition, urging believers to remain within the confines of the lawful, and to shun the evil of excesses and immoderation. To keep the Satanic impulses in chains, it is important to avoid the consumption of the unlawful, including the intoxicants. Whereas certain harmful foods and deviant/idolatrous practices are to be avoided under the Shariah, all good foods are licit in moderation. Further, the Qur’an addresses issues of healthy eating and community dining, attacking tribal prejudices and facilitating social interactions around shared food.  Reproduced below are Qur’anic verses that speak of dietary regulations:

Food: Choices and Consequences

Food and Human temperament

By the grace of Allah I continue to answer the questions on ‘pork’ that I received last week and I answered a lot of those questions, and today Insha-Allah, I will continue on the same subject to see a little on the immoral side which is sprouted by the consumption of this type of animal.

First, let us get the truth straight out that man is composed of body, mind and soul. The brain, the seat of the mind (with all its functions of thought, feelings and other psychological aspects) is a part of the body and takes its food as one of those parties. At any time, thousands of cells in our body get depleted and are used to operate the complex machinery of the body; food is used to replace these dead cells. Food particles become part of the body, part of which goes to the brain.

It is commonly known that food has an effect on the health of the body. But few people realize that it has an effect on the brain (hence the mind) as well. Healthy food obtained through legitimate means and consumed with a peaceful conscience, has good effects on both health of body and mind. But unhealthy food, or food taken at the time of emotional distress, harm to the body and spirit. 

The 'cultures' of Pork 

The pig is an animal such that even in countries where its flesh is a highly regarded consumer good, its name means a dirty person, a thug, a sensual, and a glutton. The word ‘pig’ is synonymous with evil and degenerate. This is because the pig is sensual and impudent. People who eat pork are gradually influenced by its inherent sensuality; and when this trend influences minds, impudence becomes common rule; modesty and honesty become outmoded ideas that are deviated from the cult of sensuality and perversion.