Our bodies are always affected by what we consume, so also are vital aspects of our nature, one of which is our minds. Clarity of the mind depends on the health of the body and by extension, what we eat and drink.
Food and drink can lift a person to the pinnacle of piety or lower him into the abyss of vice. For instance, a man under the influence of alcohol could utter the vilest of phrases and behave in a most despicable manner.
Allah in his infinite mercy and His desire for us to develop fully, has instructed us with regards to the types of food that are beneficial and those that are harmful.
"He .. makes lawful to them what is good and makes unlawful what is foul" (Q7:157).
Certain types of food are also prohibited for reasons that are not easily discernible by us. Allah in His wisdom is fully knowledgeable about these reasons. The food that is beneficial for us is called halaal (lawful). The unlawful food is called haraam. All food are considered lawful except that which has been expressly declared haraam. An exposition of categories of haraam foods are given in Q5:3 and Q6:122.
The ingredients for food and other items we purchase may contain alcohol or may originate from unlawful animal sources. For this reason, knowledge of ingredients and how they are derived is very important: InshaAllah some assistance to enable us determine ingredients will be presented in the forthcoming editions of Deen Digest.
HEALTHY LIVING
The eye is one of the five senses possessed by man. It is one of the most significant of the senses and perharps the most fragile of them. Unlike other vital organs of the body e.g. heart, liver, kidney which can be transplanted, man hasn't found a way to replace the eye. Thus preserving this organ becomes very important.
To preserve the eye Rasulullah (PBUH) said:
"the best product to coat the eye with is the kohl as it purifies it... " (Ibn Majah).
Kohl is from antimony, a black stone. It is used as an eyeliner.It preserves the eye's health, strengthen and purifies the sight. Moreover, don't forget to pray thus:
"Allahumma aafinii fi badanii, Allahumma aafinii fi sam'i, Allahumma aafinii fi basarii" (O Allah, give me health in my body,O Allah, give me health in my ears, 0 Allah give me health in my eyes).
Disease: riya –show off
Riya is one of the most critical diseases affecting human heart it consumes the good deeds just as the tongue of fire burns up dry foliage. Show off is hypocrisy, it is often to show good conducts which are unnatural to the person in order to attract respect from the people. Riya is essentially expressed in divine services, thus it is a disease that mainly afflicts religious people.
Clinical condition:
When a man is afflicted with the virus of riya he observes devotional 'exercises before people but not when he remains alone. He prays often to impress the people:
"... the worshippers are neglectful of their prayers, those who (want but) to be seen…” (Q107:4-6)
He pays zakaat owing to fear of the condemnation of men and not in the hope of reward at the time of payment. At a critical stage the patient becomes a sworn hyprocrite. He utters the Kalima shahadat but inwardly, he doesn’t believe in Islam.
Riya is of two kinds: open and secret. The open show is expressed in actions. Secret show does not give encouragement to good works but reduces it. For instance a man will find the observance of Tahojjud prayer at night difficult; but to pray It before the people, he finds It easy.
The various modes of riya include feigning piety by appearing in dishevelled hairs, rumpled and unclean dress and knowingly keeping signs of prostration on the forehead long after prayer. Here he merely wants to create impression of pious man: The second manifestation of show is in words. Such a religious man delivers lectures and gives sermons by the verses of the Qur'an and Hadith after committing them to memory in order to show he is a learned man. Be expressing great grief for' the sins of people and reciting the Qur 'an with sweet tone to the admiration people but do not act by its dictates.
Causes:
The first cause of riya is individual love of praise from other mortals: The second is hatred of criticism and accusation and finally, the wish to have what is in possession of men - praise, commendation and material benefit.
Cure:
Carry out your divine services secretly. Remember the Rasulullah said:
“Whoever does a good deed in order to show off, Allah will expose his intension on the Day of Judgement (and humiliate him)’ (Bukhari).
Thoughts that beget show are numerous. The first is to want people to know your good works. But ask yourself; what necessity have I got that people should know it? Allah knows best your condition and men has got no hands in your affairs. The second level of thought is to want those who come to know of it should think good of it but bear in mind that it will become void in the Hereafter and Allah hate and reject such deeds of show. Be on your guard as well, when you feel so important in your heart for whatever good you've done to the point of wanting people to praise you, seek refuge against Shaytan.