Food & Drink (Part 2 of 6 – The Cause of Dis-ease)
The food and drink we consume have a great impact on the state of the body. Foods that are hot in nature produce heat in the body and cold foods have the opposite effect. Therefore, it is essential that a balance is struck between the two.
The Prophet of Allah (SAW) is reported to have created a balance between the two in his Sunnah.
Aisha (RA) said: ‘:The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to eat watermelon with dates and he would say, ‘We break the heat of one (dates) with the coolness of the other (watermelon), and the coolness of the other with the heat of the other” – Sunan Abu Dawud Volume 4 Book 26 Number 3836.
Foods play a vital role in creating dryness and moisture within the body. Whilst ensuring that the foods consumed will create a balance between hot, cold, dry and moist, it is also recommended that when selecting foods, it is utmost important that the temperament of the individual is considered along with appropriate age, season and climate which is exactly what we do as TICM doctors when giving nutrition advice. This is not recognised by western medical or science.
Apart from a balanced diet, it is also essential that the food and drink are consumed in moderation. The adverse effects of malnutrition and excess eating in the modern day world is evident for all to see. Modern day diseases are due to over consumption and over nutrition. Excessive intake of food is a current widespread issue in the west and leads to obesity too.
Allah (SWT) tells us in the Qur’an, “Eat and drink, but not waste by excess” – Surah 7 Al-A’raf.
Miqdam bin Ma’dikarib relates that the Prophet of Allah (SAW) said, “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. If it is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few morsels to keep him alive. If he must fill it, then one third for his food, one third or his drink and one third for air” – Jami At-Tirmidhi Volume 4 Book 34 Number 2380.
It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA), “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) hosted a guest who was a believer. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) ordered that a sheep be milked for him and he drank it, then another, and he drank it, then another and he drank it until he had drunk the milk of seven sheep. Then the next morning he became a Muslim, and the Messenger of Allah (SAW) ordered that a sheep be milked for him and he drank it, then he ordered that another be milked but he did not finish it. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, ‘The believer eats in one intestine and the disbeliever eats in seven intestines” – Sahih Muslim Volume 5 Book 36 Number 5379.
Nafi (RA) narrates that, “Ibn Umar (RA) would not eat until a poor person was brought to him who would eat with him. Once I brought a man to eat with him who eat a large quantity of food. Ibn Umar thereafter said, ‘O Nafi! Don’t let his man enter my house, for I heard the Prophet saying ‘a believer eats in one intestine and a disbeliever eats in seven intestines” – Al-Bukhari Volume 7 Book 65 Number 305.
Subhan’Allah in the modern day we are living in, even the Muslims are eating in 7 intestines. May Allah guide us, Allahumma’Ameen Ya Rabb.
When food is taken in moderate amounts and when balanced, it holds numerous benefits. Some foods such as honey and black seed hold a whole host of benefits. These will be discussed later in Sha Allah.
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