HEALTH , NUTRITION IN ISLAM
BY
Dr. Mostafa A. Arafa
Associate Professor of Epidemiology
High Institute of Public Health
Alexandria University, Egypt
E-mail marafa@dataxprs.com.eg
Suggested Readings
Islamic Holistic Medicine site for
Muslims
Health promotion through Islamic
lifestyles the Amman declaration
Learning objectives
1 - To learn the concept of health and
nutrition in Islam
2 - To describe the fundamentals of
healthy Islamic life styles and how
much they are in accordance with
modern life
God has bestowed on humans his
blessings, both hidden and
apparent. Of these blessings the
greatest is that of health, which
the Prophet, Peace Be Upon
Him, regarded as one of the two
graces the importance of which
was not appreciated by many
people.
Concept of health in Islam
In Islam the concept of health as
demonstrated in Quran and
Sunnah (Prophet’s hadith and
practices) is that Mankind should
sound mentally, physically and
socially
Definition of health
The conventional definition of health
being the absence of any manifestation
of disease and believing that health is a
state of complete physical , mental and
social well-being, Islam deems this to
be a necessary component of faith and
of islamic law, which Moslems
implemented during their golden age
and in so doing provided evidence
supporting its applicability .
Food and Nutrition
The important principal in Islam
is that the food we consume will
have a direct effect on not only
our physical bodies but also our
souls.
To keep optimum health we have to
ensure proper diet and nutrition.
The holy Prophet Muhammad says:
“Stomach is the home of disease. Diet
is the main medicine”.
Sahih Muslim
Nutritional basic Islamic concepts
on health
Nutrition doesn’t mean just physical
nutrition. Nutritional needs are of
the SOUL, of the MIND and lastly of
the BODY
In Islam, all that in this universe is
governed by a set of Divine laws or
laws of nature. Thus nutrition, food
and health are linked to basic Divine
principals.
Health , Islamic perspectives
Islam has laid down the foundation in
Quran and Sunnah for the best
approach of of balanced health. This
approach is mainly through selection
of the best, preventive methods, and
staying away from harmful things.
Summary of the main ideas of Islam
relating to nutrition and health is
presented in the following slides:
1 - Allah asked every one to eat what is
lawful. Allah says in surah Al-Baqarah
(The Cow) :
“Ye people eat of what is on earth lawful
and wholesome” (Quran 2:168)
2 - Muslims are to eat the best food after
selecting. Allah says in Quran in surah
Al-A’raf (The heights)
“Eat and drink , but waste not excess, for
Allah loves not the prodigals” (Quran
7:31)
3 - Muslims are to select the best quality of
food. Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al
Kahf (the Cave) :
“ Now send ye then one of you with the
money of yours to the town : let him find
out which is the best food (to be had)…”
(Quran 18:29)
4 - Regarding the idea of moderation through
diet, it is mentioned in Surah Taha
“Eat of the good things we have provided for
your sustenance, but commit no excess
therein”
5 - In another approach,
M Islam demands
from its followers the idea of total
Abstinence of food and drinks for one
whole month from dawn to sunset.
Fasting increases productivity and curbs
inflation. Allah says in the Quran in
Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow):
“ O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed
for you as it was prescribed for those
before you, that ye may learn self
restraint.” i.e. to have Taqwa
M
With regards to fasting, the prophet
Muhammed (PBUH) said:
“ fast (the month of ramadan) so as
to heal your bodies from diseases”
The Islamic way of life is a system of
Divine principals and code of ethics to be
applied in the daily life of every person.
Islamic life styles embrace numerous
positive patterns promoting health and
rejecting any behaviour which is
contradictory to health. As such Islam
have many constructive ideas to offer in
the field of health care and medical
practice.