HALAL & HARAM FOODS
Last Updated:
07 December, 2001
MUSLIM EATING HABITS
Eating, like any other act of a Muslim, is a matter of worship when performed according to the Islamic guidelines. The following are food habits that had been practised and performed by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him):
(1) Never Criticise Any Food
Food should not be criticised for any reason, despite personal disliking. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never criticised any food that was offered to him.
"The Prophet (PBUH) never criticised 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
(2) 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."
- An-Nasa'i
(3) 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."
- Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud
(4) Eating Less
One of the main principles of good health is a balanced diet. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasised the habit of eating less as a method of preventing sickness and disease. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: One-third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath."
- Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah
(5) Eating Slowly
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.
(6) Moderation
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."
- The Holy Quran, 7:31
(7) Sharing
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 neighbours, relatives, friends, the needy, and the destitute is emphasised. 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 neighbour 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).
(8) Eating Together
Eating with others bring about harmony and understanding among people. People are usually more relaxed when eating in company. Their minds are less absorbed in their 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
Muslim Eating Habits
Muslim Drinking Habits
Case Study
To Investigate Singapore Muslims' Attitude Toward Halal Food