INTEGRATIVE PARADIGM OF
ISLAMIC HOLISTIC MEDICINE
HOLISTIC SCIENCE - A NEW DEFINITION
The Crisis of Modern Man
Today's humanity intuitively feels a deprivation, a feeling of emptiness and frustration. We all
live in mega centers filled with pollution, vices, crimes and decay. The purpose of life as we
know now, is but a mere rat race of purposeless materialism, greed and destruction. This
secularized urbanized modern humanity is reaching its height of madness in leading all beings,
human, animals and vegetation towards total and final annihilation. We are killing all species of
vegetation and animal life with the tools of power, of technology and modern science. We are
digging our own grave by the toxic and hazardous poisons being discharged into the earth and
it's atmosphere. We are creating a bigger "ozone" hole in the sky each day! When will this
madness stop?
The crisis of modern man begins with the acceptance of a totally wrong scientific philosophy.
The basic premise of this philosophy is that man is here on this earth to dominate and exploit
nature to the fullest. Modern man has secularized the natural religious philosophy by divorcing
God. By redefining that man "is god", modern man blatantly proclaimed victory over nature.
That nature is to be "conquered", subdued, raped and used to the fullest regardless of the
consequences. This has become the hallmark of "success" for today's civilization. This fact can
be easily be verified. The great super powers and industrialized nations are responsible for more
than 85% of the total pollution and toxic waste discharged on this planet earth. A simple
deduction is, if a country wants to be a developed nation, be a major pollutant or else it will
remain a backward underdeveloped or poor nation. Imagine 15 major industrialized countries
account for nearly 85%of the total world pollution. If this trend is followed by all 156 country
members of United Nations, the planet Earth will be uninhabitable within 10 years.
Redefinition of Holistic Science
A drastic change in paradigm is required by humanity in order to ensure it's survival. A new
human policy based on ancient and revealed wisdom has to start taking root. A reasonably good
starting point is to redefine the meaning 'Holistic Sciences' as we understand today.
The term 'Holistic' means totally all-inclusive, all comprehensive, integrative, systematic
balanced and takes into account all factors. Should we follow this definition then Holistic
Science would mean an all encompassing science of nature and life inclusive of ecology,
biology, physics, chemistry and other sciences. It would also include technology and method of
how to use it in harmony with nature and it's inhabitants.
The current definition of 'holistic science' merely pertains to the science of healing and nutrition.
This is a very narrow definition because healing or good health and good nutrition cannot exist
on its own without being nurtured in a natural and balanced environment. It also cannot exist in
an immoral and vice ridden civilization. It is of paramount importance that all Holistic
Practitioners work together to redefine holistic science, and much better for the future
generations. We should not talk of ecology per se for example but it should be "Holistic
Ecology" that covers the full spectrum of nature, man, spirit and the universe its entireness.
Practitioners of Holistic Sciences must see in their mission integrated concepts of all sciences for
the mutual benefit of all beings, be it vegetation, animal, human and the universe. This can be
achieved by first redefining holistic science as not only the science of healing and nutrition, but
"the science that integrates and brings into balance in totality all aspects of the universe and it's
existence for the mutual good of all". If this approach is propagated now, I believe 20 years from
now, all curriculums in schools would have "Holistic Sciences" as their major subject for our
children's education. If we dare to take this route then we can tame the wild fire of technological
suicide that is engulfing today's civilization and ensure the long term survival of this planetearth.
Modern Science and Ancient Wisdom
The crisis we face today lies in the application of science and technology which has become a
moral and philosophical problem. It is of utmost important once that modern man realizes that
essential harmony between man and nature.
The secularization of nature creates a
disequilibrium between man, nature and his Creator. Contemporary American philosopher,
Mortimer J. Adler, wrote in his book, The Ten Philosophical Mistakes:
"It is in the metaphysics, the philosophy of nature, the philosophy of mind and moral
philosophy that the ancients and their mediaeval successors did more than lay the
foundations for the sound understanding and the modicum of wisdom we possess. They
did not make the philosophical mistakes that have been the ruination of modern thought.
On the contrary, they had the insights and made the indispensable distinctions that
provide us the means for correcting these mistakes."
It is with understanding the mistakes of contemporary societies and the world-view of our
ancient predecessors that we can resolve our grave current social problems. It must not be
forgotten that modern man is no different from the ancient man. Human being are human beings,
were regardless of whether they are modern humans or ancient human beings. They all have to
abide by the rules and laws of the cosmos. And this itself is a fulfillment of the divine authority
in which man is but one of the players in this total scheme of the universe. In order for modern
science to find its roots, it must go back to the original understanding of nature and the cosmos.
He must be enlightened enough to differentiate between the sacred and the profane. The world of
modern science must change from vulgarizing and worshipping technology. The monodimensional single-minded approach to knowledge based on our narrow achievements to
conquer and harness nature must stop. Rather we must achieve true understanding of God, the
ultimate reality and the Realizer of the whole universal scheme of things.
The quantitative character of the modern schema must be replaced with a moral philosophy so
that immorality and greed can be curbed. For this to happen we have to return back to our
ancient traditions. The current philosophical idea held by many modern scholars, especially the
scientists is that science is competent and capable of solving all our problems. This is sheer
nonsense and untrue because science is just a mere tool to a gradual realization of greater
knowledge. It is in the greater understanding of our role in nature that true metaphysics and
knowledge begins. Our salvation lies in the realization of ancient wisdom coupled with scientific
knowledge to achieve a homeostasis that can bring this civilization to the greatest pinnacle of
success, harmony and fulfillment.
What we all must realize is that the inter-relationship between the knowledge of science,
metaphysics, theology, and philosophy was discovered by our ancient predecessors very
accurately in resonance with the reality of our existence. This ancient knowledge is not
superstition, but actually formed the basis of a holistic science that was rejected by the modern
scientists in the late sixteenth century. This was the greatest retrogression in the history of
humankind. And it is due to this philosophical mistake that today we face the danger of the total
annihilation of humanity and of all life on this planet. Let us recall how the holistic sciences were
developed by our ancient forefathers. This ancient wisdom is still available and can be retraced
by any of us if we bother to seek and find.
If we begin from the Greek civilization, the Greeks produced a great number of philosophers
who were attuned to nature and holistic thinking. If we study the writings of Aristotle,
Pythagorus and Plato, we would find that the basis of knowledge had begun with the realization
of the totality of Being. The true wisdom of any body of knowledge must be based on living
naturally in accordance with the reality of this universe. This was the philosophical idea of the
ancient Greeks which was later absorbed by the founders of the Christian theology like Clemont
and Oregon, Arenous and Gregory of Nyssa and the rest. However, the philosophical ideas of the
Greeks was later lost by the Christians during the dark ages and even in the Renaissance. The
conflict that developed between the dogmatic church and the scientists resulted in the total
rejection of the theology as the basis of truth. And as a result, the fundamental idea of an
integrated holistic science has since then been destroyed.
Apart from the Greek tradition, we also see in the traditions of the Chinese the same approach as
they tried to understand the nature of things. For example, in the Chinese tradition of Taoism and
Neo-Confucism, nature must be comprehended in its totality as a metaphysical being that must
be treated with respect and love. This is also found in the Shintoism School of philosophy as
practiced in Japan today. We can see this ancient wisdom written in the book of Taoism, e,g, in
the Tao teaching, "The ways of man are conditioned by those of earth, the ways of earth by those
of heaven, the ways of heaven by those of the Tao, and the Tao coming to be by itself."
"Heaven is the reflection of a Divine principle and earth the reflection of human." This concept
of Taoism reflects the total approach to nature that is a framework to the holistic approach that
that we would want the world to understand.
We can also learn from the ancient Indian approach to holistic science. For example, in the
Hindu philosophy, this world is just an illusion, a maya, which is a veil pointing to supreme self
that is the Absolute Reality, through which man has to find his real self or his empirical self by
seeking knowledge. This knowledge is embodied in the concept of understanding the nature of
reality through the principle of "prakritti" - the prime substance, "vyaktu" - the manifested
matter and "jpurasa" the spirit that neither begets not is begotten.
Our ancient fore-fathers in the East as well as in the West, understood holistic sciences more
than modern man. In this article, we will study in detail the holistic science and the scientific
philosophies of Islam. Basically in Islam, everything is based on the principle of the "AlTawhid" or the principle of unity. Everything in the cosmos is governed by 'UNITY' and from
the theological point of view, God is all encompassing one and is not divorced from us. God is
the All-existing as recorded in Al-Quran. This All-existing unitary Creator puts this universe,
nature and all the things into existence. It is this existence that supports a system of life that is
shared by all.
To understand the philosophy of Islamic holistic science, we must understand Islam. Firstly,
Islam is not a new religion. In the Islamic concept, Islam is the continuation of the ancient
wisdom that was revealed by God Almighty through his Prophets beginning with the first human
being. From the Islamic perspective, Adam, the prototype human being, the first man that existed
on this earth is not an ignorant being. Adam was given the knowledge of "the nature of things".
This is the holistic knowledge that has been endowed on the first human being and the
subsequent generations after Adam. The holistic knowledge that enables the early human beings
to live in harmony with world and their Creator. Throughout the generations of human beings,
God Almighty had sent prophets to all tribes and nations to reveal to them the true knowledge of
the Creator, the true purpose of their existence and the real meaning of life as a human being.
This accumulation of knowledge was transferred from one generation to another and as a result
in Islam, we see no contradiction between the early religious and holistic knowledge in
philosophy, science and religion. Holistic science as found in the ancient Holy books from the
East or the West contains this truth. From the Islamic perspective, the destruction of the previous
civilizations over various period of the history of man was the result of the divergence from this
truth. With this divergence, came moral and spiritual degradation and this resulted in the
destruction of that civilization. This happened when the true, pure holistic knowledge taught by
the prophets of those civilizations were distorted by the later generations.
Islam actually accepts all basic principles of truth as found in all doctrine of all religions. The
only difference is that the inner truth may not be manifested by the current adherence of those
religions due to the distortion as mentioned above
In Islamic holistic sciences, knowledge is an important component towards the realization of
divine truth.
The history of Islam shows many examples of the advanced and refined state of holistic science.
The techniques and the methodology of the study of nature, intuitive and scientific knowledge
and the knowledge of the Creator is surprisingly complete and in accordance with the latest
discovery of modern science. This does not mean that Islam accepts the philosophy of modern
science. Islam acknowledges the basic natural truth that was true ten thousand years ago as it is
today.
In Islam, the basis of religions is called "Ad-din". Ad-din is not simply a concept but it is how
human beings believe and live i.e. a way of life. The word "Islam" or the religion of Islam is
defined as submission to God to achieve peace or "salam". It is by completely submitting to God
and acting upon the beliefs in accordance to the divine principle laid out by God that we discover
our true destiny. This involves the recognition and the acknowledgement of God as the giver of
existence and that man is to return to God when he finally leaves this earth.
This returning to God or life-after-death involves a journey. The beginning of that journey begins
in our existence in the primordial soul state where we acknowledge the Creator as the one and
the only Creator. In the primordial state we carry a "spiritual genetic program" that allows us to
know, acknowledge and submit to the Creator. From this primordial soul state we then journey
to this physical world. The primordial soul is wrapped with physical self for as long as we live
on planet earth. Death is the separation on this physical wrapping from the soul which journeys
on towards God and fulfillment, i.e. Heaven, or separation from God, i.e. Hell.
This concept of "Ad-din" in Islam must be understood because it is the basis of "Iman" or the
basis of belief. Belief is not what we understand in the English Language as a sort of a faith.
Belief in Islam involves putting our complete trust and confidence in God and with complete
submission to God alone and no one else. This belief must be manifested in the heart and acted
on by our body in conformity with our "Iman", our complete faith. Only when we live in
accordance with the harmony of the state of "Iman" we can truly realize "Tawhid" which is the
oneness or unity of God. The religion of Islam is not in the sense a religion per se: Islam is a way
life which is the way of balanced or middle path. Our existence on this earth must lead towards a
balanced nature, a balanced purpose and a balanced universe. For this purpose, man is created as
"Khalifathullah Fil Ard" or God's vicegerent on earth. In this context, the nature of human beings
is created to be the highest creature in the hierarchy of all created beings. We are created to be
the vicegerents of God on this earth. To fulfill this role as the preserver of nature we are allowed
to use nature but not to destroy it. This is radically different from the modern materialistic
scientific technology that seeks to conquer, use, delete and destroy the gift of nature. This
position of vicegerent ensures that we take full and complete responsibility for the well being of
all creatures on earth and in the universe. This is not purely the perspective of physical wellbeing but a rather a total integrated well being which encompasses the physical, spiritual and
mental planes. A deeper understanding of the concept of vicegerency is important to ensure that
the true understanding of the role of human beings in this world is brought about. We are not
born sinners or bad. In Islam we are born good and pure. Evil, immorality and the destruction of
nature is alien to the true nature of man. The true nature of man is linked to the true nature of the
Creator. Human beings try as far as possible to evolve and develop qualities as close as possible
to his Creator. This philosophy is a holistic philosophy where men try to fulfill their role by
understanding their true nature, purpose and destiny in this physical world and beyond.
If we study modern philosophy and sociology, Maslow in his theory of the hierarchy of human
needs traced the hierarchy of man to food, clothing, shelter, family, social and finally
psychological needs. This is not acceptable from the holistic point of view. The nature of man
and hierarchy of needs should begin with his spiritual aspect and lastly his physical needs. The
well-being of his life-force or soul-force or the vital-force that encompasses his life while he is
on this earth is most important. Islamic holistic hierarchy is exactly the opposite with the Maslow
theory because the needs of the spiritual aspect come first and foremost. If this spirit is dead,
then no amount of bodily action can reform a person. It is important that we redefine the
hierarchy of needs of human beings. If we continue to live by the philosophy as founded by
Maslow, there will be total destruction of the earth. Maslow only saw human beings from a
myopic point of view in which our survival was dependent on the needs of our physical body
only. This is an insult to the dignity of all human beings. Our needs should be to fulfill the
vicegerency of God
A major philosophical error is the perception of modern scientific theory. We conceive this
world as mere objects and events to be studied by in a restricted, fragmented manner. As a result
we have mono-dimensional scientist such as nuclear physicist, biologist, psychologist,
anthropologist, etc. This fragmented methodology even extends beyond its own field of study
resulting in distorted hypotheses that are fragmented and contradictory. In reality these
hypotheses do not correspond to the reality and the totality of the universe. This causes one
theory to contradict the other which results in the complete destruction of our ethos, morality and
spiritualality. The basis of modern science and technology is the hypothesis that events and
objects are true only when observable and material in nature.
What is observable can only be things that are physical. The higher truth that is the spiritual
truth cannot be deduced via physical scientific methods. And because of that, there is moral and
spiritual decay in today's civilization. The present moral, spiritual and ecological destruction can
clearly be seen and felt by all of us today. Islam sees this world in a radically different
perspective. Holistic science in Islam is based on the realization of our spirituality that is first,
foremost and above all other. Based on this realization we can perceive the integrated totality of
the spiritual, mental and physical world and our relationship with our Creator. We will then
understand our role as a vicegerent of God on earth and that our purpose is to fulfill our role in
perfect harmony with nature. We are all partners living together to fulfill the common purpose
and destiny of modern man. We would be humbled by realizing and understanding the challenge
of our mission. We would then fulfill our role as the protector of this universe and not as a
destroyer of this universe. This philosophical idea of the institution of human beings as
vicegerents of God on earth is extremely important. Based on this philosophy, throughout the
Islamic civilization, holistic science has always been integrated through the hierarchy of needs of
all creation. This Islamic perspective outlines our journey on this earth which is a journey of
discovering the truth. Truth is not simply some idea by some philosopher or some idea based on
science and technology but an idea that is imprinted in our soul, our mind and in our genes. In
this journey to discover the truth, the man of Islam will consider himself to be a spiritual being as
well as a physical being living on this earth only temporarily; seeking to sharpen his inner
faculties of knowing and comprehending this universe. In doing so, his purpose as "Khalifatullah
fil-ard" will be fulfilled only when he realizes and reaches the highest level and truth (haqq),
when can we be said to be different from other beings or all other animals on this earth. Only
then do we achieve our purpose of leading a complete life on earth.
HEALTH, ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
As we have understood earlier, nutrition does not mean just physical nutrition. Then are we to
follow the secularized definition as expounded by Abraham Maslow, that the needs of the human
beings begins with physical needs, with no spiritual needs or development? The basis of Islamic
nutrition begins with this need of the soul because the basis and purpose of our existence begins
with the soul. The second nutritional need is the nutritional need of our vital force or the mind or
mental state. The third nutritional need is the need of the body or the self. This is the radical
opposite of the modern materialistic philosophy. So taking into account this approach, let us
understand the need of the soul, mind or vital force and the need of the body this sequence.
The definition of health in the secular sense is also unacceptable in Islam. Even the current
holistic definition of health is incomplete from the perspective of Islam. What is health? Do we
mean the health from our physical self that is our tissues, cells and organs or our physical and
mental self or our total self, which includes our soul?
The conventional definition of health being the absence of any manifestation of disease as used
by the conventional modern Allopathic doctors is untrue. This premise is based on a fragmented
analysis of a localized effect of a disease rather than the analysis of the real cause of a disease.
For example, if we have an illness such as pain or a change in the blood pressure, diagnostic tests
are carried out for the specific disease and a specific treatment will be directed to that part of the
body. This method is called the reductionist approach. If a person has a pain in a joint, such as an
arthritic pain, treatment by cortisone will be administered by injection into the joint; without
really understanding the principle cause of arthritis itself. The modern reductionist approach is to
treat a disease based on a specific symptom and not based on the totality of a person. They can
see an ant a mile away and yet miss the elephant right in front of their nose. This problem is
increased because of the inherent fragmentation (specialization) within the field of medicine,
such as a dermatologist for our our skin problem, a cardiologist for our heart and cardiovascular
problems and so on. Each of these specialist having a very specific narrow understanding of a
specific part of a human being.
It is interesting to find that in this century, many practitioners of medicine have realized the
fallacy of such an approach. An example is Dr. Henry Lindlahr, one of the pioneers of holistic
medicine, who called for a return to the true science of medicine, where we see the human being
in his totality, In the forward of Henry Lindlahr’s book, The Philosophy of Natural Medicine
J.C.Penny, he wrotein summary:
"If there is to be a true science of medicine, it must be before all else a true science of
health. It must recognize that health and disease like everything else are subject to the
natural laws and do not change. A beginning must be made to discover at least some of
the basic laws and principles which govern health and the violation of which lead to
disease".
The holistic 'whole person’ approach is closer to the Islamic understanding of health. Holistic
practitioners believe in the healing power of nature. The core of natural healing is "vis
medicatrix naturae" i.e. the healing capacity of nature to balance itself where is imbalance. The
concept of balance or homeostasis is an indisputable fact today. Holistic practitioners understand
the existence of a vital force or a life force which together with the physical body carries out
appropriate physiological processes to correct any imbalances in the body and tries to maintain
balance. This concept of the vital force is common in much Eastern religious thinking and it is
also the basis of the Islamic understanding of the human being.
Dr Henry Lindlahr referred to this force as a divine energy which gives direction to the
molecules and other elements of matter so that the human being will be in the state of balance.
What is strange is that this concept is totally rejected by modern medicine. As a result of this
current rejection of the spiritual dimension of good health that modern man is facing many
diseases which are physical, psychosomatic and psychological. The only problem is how far the
holistic approach of "vis medicatrix naturae", or the healing power of the self, can be fully
understood in order to be of heal the spirituality of man. Until modern times holistic practitioners
well understand the phenomena of the vital force or vital energy and its action together with its
result. Holistic practitioners today will have to return to the revealed knowledge of the Creator to
fully understand this phenomena. That revealed knowledge is embodied in the Holy Quran. An
unbiased study of this revealing book will bring a much greater understanding of the nature of
man and the true nature of health.
DIVINE PRINCIPLES AND NUTRITION-BASIC ISLAMIC CONCEPTS
ON HEALTH
In Islam, all that is in this universe is governed by a set of Divine Laws or laws of nature. Thus
nutrition, food and health are intrinsically linked to basic Divine principles that bring happiness,
joy and health to those who follow these laws, and unhappiness, ill-health and destruction to
those who transgress the basic laws of nature. The Holy Quran says,
"No want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of God the most gracious"
(Quran 76:3)
This basic approach of Islamic nutrition covers all aspects of being a human being vis-a-vis the
earth and the universe. It covers all aspects of the human being, i.e. soul, mind and body in a
synergistic and balanced way.
Islam has laid down the foundation in the Quran and the Sunnah for the best approach for
balanced health. This approach is mainly through selection of the best, preventive methods, and
staying away from any harmful things. The following is a summary of the principal ideas of
Islam relating to nutrition and health:
Allah asked everyone to eat what is lawful. The Quran state in surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow):
"Ye people eat of what is on earth lawful and wholesome"
(Quran 2:168) Read also (5:91)
People are to enjoy their food as it affects their personality and character. Enjoying the eating of
food is a matter of worship as is any aspect of life in Islam.
Muslims are to select the best quality of food. In this regard Allah says in the Quran in Surah AlKahf (The Cave):
"Now send ye then one of you with this money of yours to the town: let him find out
which is the best food (to Be Had) ..."
(Quran 18:29)
Muslims are to eat the best food after selecting. Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-A'raf ( The
Heights)
"Eat and drink, but waste not excess, for Allah loves not the prodigals"
(Quran 7:31)
Regarding the idea of moderation through diet, it is mentioned Surah Taha whereby Allah says:
"Eat of the good things we have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess
therein."
(Quran 20:81)
In another approach, Islam demands from its followers the idea of Total Abstinence of food and
drinks for one whole month from dawn to sunset. The benefits of fasting have been tested and
documented especially in the areas of biochemistry, physiology, clinical therapeutics, clinical
nutrition , etc. It is beyond doubt that fasting helps the individual to get rid of most of the toxins
in the body.
At the same time fasting increases productivity and curbs inflation. In this regard. 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
(Quran 2:183)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
" Fast (the month of Ramadan) so as to heal your bodies from diseases"
The word "Taqwa" has been explained in many aspects, some of which are related to health and
disease, food and dietetics, physical fitness, etc. It also means: self-training, self-restraint, selfcontrol, self-discipline, self-education and self-evaluation for the purification of the total self,
soul, mind and body.
The Islamic way of life is a system of Divine principles and code of ethics to be applied in the
daily life of every person. As such Islam has many constructive ideas to offer in the field of
health care and medical practice.
The concept of heath in Islam, as demonstrated in Quran and Sunnah (Prophet's Hadith, practices
and approvals), is that Mankind should be sound mentally, physically and socially. This greatly
corresponds to the WHO definition of Health. Medicine and health in Islam are part and parcel
of worship or subservience to Allah. A weak person may not perform his duties towards Allah,
his family and community as the strong healthy one can do.
FOOD AND HEALTH
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."
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.)
Shahih Muslim
The worldly life is one of the stages of the journey to God, and body is the vehicle for this
journey. As such, it is important that the traveler maintains the body in optimum condition so
that the diversions of discomfort and pain do not distract one from the concentration upon the
goal. Digestion is the process of taking in nutrients through the mouth and then refining those
elements in the body. When it is said that the stomach is the home of disease, this means that
disease arises when this digestion process becomes unbalanced. "Diet is the main medicine" is to
be taken mean that we should first use foods themselves to rebalance and rebuild the digestive
process. The foods are used as vehicles for conveying certain healing formulas-both herbal and
non-physical - to the body
The possible exception to this general rule occurs when the body and its organs have been
damaged so severely that there remains no regenerative power to rebuild an organ or bodily
system. In such cases, surgery or other radical modes might be the treatment of choice.
However, if the principles of health are followed throughout life, from earliest childhood
onward, one need have no more fear of falling ill than of being struck by lightening.
Health is best defined as that state in which one never needs the need to be aware of the body. In
other words, a healthy person receives no signal of pain, disturbance or discomfort which
signifies some kind of imbalance in the body.
However, this optimum health standard is rarely achieved in our modern, stressful and polluted
world. Pain and disease seem to be the hallmark of this 21st century civilization. Islamic
nutritional methodology offers a viable media to balance ourselves so that we can achieve a
decent level of good health both physically and spiritually.
It is important for us to understand the important principle in Islam that the food we consume
will have a direct effect of not only our physical bodies but also our souls. Thus the means in
which the money to purchase food was earned, the way the food was prepared and the psyche of
the cook and the persons who eat the food all are linked in a chain of the law of cause and effect.
The conception and intention brought to the preparation of a meal are important things that bear
on food. In today's fast food era it seems that not only do people seldom consciously think about
food in this way, but they really do not take the time to sit down and and eat properly, preferring
to have a Styrofoam wrapped mass of junk fast food, slapped in to their hands as they drive by a
window. This fast track, fast food fad is a recipe for indigestion ill-health and disaster. Even if
we have the best food, prepared according to the correct methods, and are ready to put into our
mouths, even before we put the food we have to think for a second: Where does this food come
from, and what is our purpose of consuming it? For the Muslims the eating of a food is a time of
fellowship, a celebration of life, and rededication of life to the highest ideals of human existence.
Before eating , the Muslims says "Bismi Llahi ir-Rahman nir-rahim: In the name of God, the
most merciful, the most compassionate, O my Lord, I will eat this food only be to be better
servant of yours. Use this food to uplift me and uplift all of your humanity. Amin."
The reason for eating is not simply or primarily to derive pleasure. It is to maintain the body,
which is the vehicle for conveyance of the soul and the means by which we improve and give
strength and gracefulness to the soul. Only after applying such invocation to the food do we put
it in our mouths, insha Allah (that is God willing).