What are the tips for the Islam diet? What does Sunnah mean? How can the Islam diet be beneficial? How be ways of Sunnah helpful in the Islam diet?
Sunnah is the sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW). It is beneficial not only in the world but also in the hereafter. Muslims must follow the path of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) in every phase of life.
It is narrated in the Surah Al-Imran, Allah says,
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Say (O Prophet): “If you love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.” (Al-Quran 3:31)
Holy Muhammad (SAWW) is the greatest blessing of Allah upon humanity. He (SAWW) is a source of guidance and brings people from darkness to light through his teaching. Muhammad (SAWW) was a man who possessed the highest moral excellence, and God made him an excellent example for humanity.
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْءَاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent model for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. (Al-Quran 33:21)
Holy Prophet (SAWW) guides us in the way of life by actions or advice. He teaches us how to eat, drink, tips on Islam diets, ways of sittings, sleeping. In the article, we will discuss a few revolutionary tips of Islam diet in the light of Sunnah?
What are the five revolutionary tips in the Islam diet?
Islam teaches eating and drinking etiquette in the Islam diet for a healthy life. The Prophet Muhammad SAWW strictly advises and practice clean and healthy eating habits in His life. The leading five revolutionary tips in the Islam diet includes
- Washing Hands
- Drinking-Water
- Eating Slowly
- Moderate Eating
- Intermittent Fasting
Why is it important to wash your hands while eating?
Have a look at what you eat in a whole day with your hands, your sandwich, apple, or anything. Now think about what you have touched today. Whatever you did in a whole day, your hands came into contact with germs, and it’s too easy for germs to enter into your body. Hand-to-mouth contact is one way that these germs make it into our bodies.
The Prophet (PBUH) has forcefully notified that one should wash his hands before eating.
“It is a blessing to wash your hands before and after the meal.”
It is scientifically proved that washing hands properly can significantly reduce the number of bacteria on our hands, reducing the risk of getting sick.
How to properly wash your hands?
The proper method of washing hands includes the following steps that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and many other regulating agencies, suggest:
- Soak your hands with pure water and apply soap to your hands.
- Rub your hands properly with soap, preferably for 20 seconds
- Rinse your hands well with clean water.
- Dry your hands.
What is the Sunnah of drinking water?
What is the Sunnah to drink water? Why do Muslims Drink in 3 sips? Why is it preferred to drink Water in Sunnah ways in Islam diet?
Water is a blessing from Allah that gives and sustains all life in this world. It cannot deny that all human being depends on water for life. The Prophet Muhammad SAWW is known as the best role model for humanity. He teaches us the ways of life, political or social life, and the Islam diet.
Sunnah of drinking water
The Holy Prophet SAWW teaches us the way of drinking water
- Start with Bismillah
- See the water before drinking
- Drink with the right hand
- Always sit down
- Drink the water in three steps
- Finish with Alhamdulillah
Prophet Muhammad SAWW forbids us to drink water in one sip but asks us to take three steps so we can’t take a breath in water. Starting every work with Bismillah means to ask Allah for His blessings and mercy. It ends with Alhamdulillah means to thank Allah for His blessings.
Why is water essential to the human body?
Why is water essential for the human body in Islam diet? Why is water needed to survive? Why does water have such importance in the human body’s life? How many intakes of water does the human body need and why? Why is water beneficial enough for the human body?
According to research, the human body comprises around 60% water. That’s why I highly recommend drinking plenty of water a day, almost eight glasses a day, to survive everyday life. A human can last weeks without food but only for days without water.
Function of Water
Water plays a vital role in the human body; your body’s primary functions depend on water. Here are a few examples of how water functions in the human body
- It regulates body temperature
- Moisten tissues in the eye, nose, and mouth
- Protects body organs and tissues
- Carrier nutrients and oxygen to cells
- Lubricant Joints
- Lesson Burden on Kidney and Liver
- Creating Saliva
Benefits of Water
The benefits of water intake include
- Increase energy level
- Maximize physical performance
- Relive constipation
- Prevent and treat headache
- Treat Kidney Stones
- Prevent hangovers
- Aid weight loss
- Improves skin complexion
- Flushes out toxins
- Relieve fatigue
What does the Islam diet say about moderate Eating?
Eating in moderation means eating only as much as your body needs. In the end, you will be satisfied compared to uncomfortable and stuffed. Islam laid down the basis of Islam diet rules and the limits within which leads man to enjoy the joys of life, including food, moderately, not becoming a slave to his lusts, and not losing sight of his ultimate spiritual goal.
Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) always preferred and strictly advised to eat less and simple. Overeating makes a heart hard and heedless of Allah; that’s why He (SAWW) and His companion used to go hungry often in the presence of food.
It is narrated in the Quran
وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
Eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, Allah likes not those who commit excess. (Al-Quran 7:31)
In the above verse, it is clear that we aren’t allowed to eat or drink more than we need in Islam diet. The Islam diet is to eat as per your need. Holy Prophet SAWW strictly forbid Muslims to fill their stomach by overeating.
Hazrat Muhammad SAWW said
“No human being has ever filled a container worse than his stomach. The son of Adam needs no more than a few morsels of food to keep up his strength; doing so, he should consider that a third of his stomach is for food, a third for drink, and a third for breathing.”
Benefits of eating moderate
Eating in moderation is considered practical advice for healthy nutrition. It is scientifically proved by many types of research that Eating has many benefits in the human body.
The benefit of moderate eating includes
- Keeps body healthy
- It keeps the heart soft
- Increase money
- Weakness desires
- Avoid excessive consumption
- Avoid hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, etc.
- Weight loss and weight control.
Is Eating Slowly beneficial for Human Body?
Eating slowly is recommended for health. Holy Prophet (SAWW) advised to eat slowly and chew slowly and correctly. Sunnah narrated that eating a meal with three fingers, and not more than three, is a sign of greed and an awful manner, and it is only possible when you eat slowly and correctly.
Benefits of eating slowly
Eating slowly has uncountable benefits. It is proved that 1400 years ago, Holy Prophet SAWW’s advisers benefited the human body. Slow Eating reduces food consumption, as it delays much of the meal to a time when the absorption of nutrients begins to produce physiological signals of satiety.
Slow Eating helps in chewing the food well. It results in the exercise of the jaws and the mixing of the saliva with food. Hence, efficient digestion occurs because the food particles are cut into smaller pieces, not requiring as much churning in the stomach or intestine. The benefits of eating slowly include
- Better digestion
- Better hydration
- Easier weight loss
- Increase hormones
- Reduce appetite
- Absorb nutrient
- Feel calmer
- Reduce the level of stress
- Less heartburning
What is the role of intermittent fasting in the Islam Diet?
Many people asked what an intermittent diet is. How can it be helpful? How does it play a role in the Islam diet plan? How to manage intermittent fasting?
Many diet plans focus on what to eat, but intermittent fasting is all about when you have to eat. It is an eating pattern that alternates the period of eating. In intermittent fasting, we have to fast for a certain number of hours each day or eat a meal once a day for a couple of days.
In many hadiths, we read that Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) AND His companions take a meal once a day or take water with dates to keep themselves healthy.
In the Islam diet, intermitted fasting has vital importance, and it is scientifically proved that it is beneficial.
Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) said,
One person’s food will be sufficient for two, the food of two people will be sufficient for four, and the food of four will be sufficient for eight.
Benefits of intermittent fasting?
Fasting 12-16 hours are beneficial for the body in various ways
- Lose weight and visceral fat
- Reduce Insulin resistance
- Reduce Oxidative Stress
- Beneficial for Blood Pressure
- Prevent Cancer
- Benefit for Brain
- Prevent Alzheimer’s disease
- Changes the function of hormones, cells, and genes
What are halal and haram foods in the Islam diet?
Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) recommended and used to take a few foods regularly that are beneficial to the human body. After 1400 years, it has been scientifically proved that this food has uncountable benefits to the human body.
There are few prohibited and forbidden foods in Hadith, and Holy Prophet (SAWW) took severe actions against them.
Allah Says in Quran,
وَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَٰلًا طَيِّبًا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ
“Eat from what Allah has provided you as good and lawful and fear Allah in whom you believe.” (Al-Quran 5:88)
Sunnah Foods
The foods that Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) loves to eat and recommend His companions to use that food in their Islam diet. After many years now, it scientifically proved that those foods have uncountable benefits in the human body.
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Mushroom
- Grapes
- Dates
- Figs
- Barley
In many hadiths, it is mentioned that honey and dates can be used to remedy many illnesses. Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) would take honey and dates regularly.
He SAWW said
Honey is the remedy for every illness. The Quran is a remedy for all illnesses of the mind; therefore, I recommend both remedies, The Quran and Honey.
Prohibited Food
Holy Prophet (SAWW) forbid His Ummah from many types of foods that harm himself or any other creature. The foods that are called haram in the Islam diet include
- Alcohol and other intoxicants
- Blood
- Pork
- Foods that contain aspic, alcoholic pastries
- Animals that slaughter or dedicated to anyone else Allah
- Beast of cattle
- Dead animals
A Muslim was forbidden to attend prayers while intoxicants.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَٰمُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“Oh you who believe! Intoxicants and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan’s handiwork. Leave it aside so that ye may succeed.” (Al-Quran 5:90)
Blood and pork are strictly forbidden in Islam. Allah says in Quran
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ بِهِۦ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
He has only forbidden you what dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that over which any other (name) than (that of) Allah has been invoked; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring, nor exceeding the limit, no sin shall be upon him; indeed Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (Al-Quran 2:173)
