The Struggles of Identity Amidst Culinary Temptations
In these challenging times when our sacred places are besieged and our identities are compromised, it is imperative that we seek liberation from the chains that bind us to the ground, sapping our resolve and diminishing our spirits. We must respond to the call of truth and stand firm on the frontlines of our beliefs, each according to our capabilities. However, when we attempt to answer this intrinsic call, we are often met with burdens that weigh heavily upon our shoulders, restraints that choke our voices, and reins that silence our tongues. The unfortunate reality is that many of these burdens are closely linked to our appetites, which now hold the loudest sway in determining our stances and roles. The cravings of our bellies have become one of the most grievous sources of our humiliation, subjugation, and dependency on others. We find it increasingly difficult to defend our sacred values and raise our voices in defense of our identity because our stomachs are unwilling to relinquish the desires they have cultivated and become addicted to over decades.
The Alarming Reality of Food Dependence
Recent reports regarding food imports reveal that six of the ten largest wheat-importing countries in the world are Muslim nations. Arab countries collectively import around 50 million tons of wheat annually, despite having over 220 million hectares of arable land, of which less than one-third is utilized. The staggering figure of $110 billion spent on food imports annually underscores a concerning reality: approximately 80% of what the populace consumes comes from abroad. How can we expect to have control over our decisions under such circumstances? How can we hope to protect our religion, our sacred values, our identity, our language, and our national security? The late Algerian thinker, Malek Bennabi, poignantly stated, "As long as our wheat comes from our enemies, our decisions are not in our hands." Similarly, the late Egyptian intellectual Mustafa Mahmoud remarked, "If your food does not come from your own efforts, do not expect freedom from your own mind." This reality highlights the heavy burden food has become in our lives.
The aforementioned situation is disheartening and portends grim outcomes. Yet, how did Arab and many Muslim nations find themselves in this predicament? Undoubtedly, misguided policies are a primary cause. However, another significant reason lies within us—the Arab populace—and pertains to our eating habits and relationship with food. We have distanced ourselves from our religion and traditional practices, allowing food to ascend to a central role in our lives, becoming one of our greatest concerns. The obsession with food is not limited to children; it extends to men and women alike. Many of us do not simply eat when hungry or at scheduled meal times; rather, we graze constantly, consuming food at all hours, often combining meals and snacking thoughtlessly. The refrigerator door is perpetually in motion, and the stove rarely cools down. The primary concern for many mothers becomes the selection of lunch and dinner menus. Furthermore, some of the most followed social media pages are those dedicated to cooking.
We prioritize meal planning over our responsibilities and prayers, and the most significant consideration in our travels is where to stop for coffee or dine. Few of us pay attention to the time and place for prayer; instead, the main focus during celebrations and weddings revolves around food choices. What appetizers will we select? What are the first, second, and third courses? What about salads and fruits? Even during mourning, discussions often center on food: what to serve mourners alongside coffee and which caterer to hire for meals. It has become common to criticize the bereaved for not adequately caring for their guests.
Grocery stores are overflowing, and restaurants—whether traditional or fast-food—populate every city, village, and street, buzzing with customers from morning until late at night. Surprisingly, women have also become frequent patrons of fast-food establishments, particularly in larger cities, where they crowd these venues starting at ten in the morning. Public restrooms are often congested, and mosque facilities struggle with cleanliness. Daily household waste piles up in heavy bags, leading to garbage trucks incessantly circulating the streets. Anyone visiting a landfill in any city would certainly be astonished by the mountains of refuse.
Even the holy month of Ramadan, which should ideally provide respite for our stomachs and kitchens, has turned into a time of excessive food shopping, where we merely postpone lunch until dinner and transform the hours between Iftar and Suhoor into a continuous cycle of eating. The phrase, "I haven’t had dinner yet," has become a significant event in our lives, while "I haven’t prayed yet" is dismissed as mundane, almost as if it doesn't matter. One can neglect appointments with their Creator and loved ones but never with food.
Our insatiable appetite for food has led to an array of ailments, cognitive decline, and weakened intellect. If what we consumed were healthy foods that nourished our bodies and strengthened us, then our obsession might be justified. However, we were created for a higher purpose than to be slaves to our bellies and their desires. Allah the Almighty states, "Indeed, Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow, while those who disbelieve enjoy and eat as cattle eat, and the Fire will be their abode." A true Muslim strives to please their Lord, seeking entrance into Paradise and witnessing His glorious face. Those who live solely for food are akin to disbelievers who do not believe in the Hereafter, behaving like livestock preoccupied with eating without any concern for their spiritual duties. A Muslim eats to live, not lives to eat.
If what we consumed was solely healthy food that fortified our bodies, we would not deem food the most critical aspect of our existence. Unfortunately, much of what we consume is detrimental to our health, leading to various illnesses that impede our responsibilities. The most prevalent health issues prompting visits to hospitals and clinics are digestive disorders caused by our eating habits. Many other illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes, and kidney diseases, can also trace their origins to dietary choices. Even certain neurological, psychological, and orthopedic conditions can result from the stress placed on our digestive systems. The colon is the second center of the nerves after the brain, and if it becomes ill, it affects the entire body. Some scholars have noted, "Overeating leads to gluttony, and gluttony invites illness, which can lead to death. If the deceased could voice their reasons for dying, many would cite overeating as a primary factor." Medical experts have asserted that excessive fullness harms the body more than hunger does.
Our excessive focus on food, coupled with irregular eating habits and the consumption of genetically modified and chemically treated products, has resulted in a plethora of diseases and ailments. We now spend a significant portion of our earnings on medical expenses, filling our homes with medications largely because our appetites govern us instead of us governing them. It is a profound loss to forget our religion and the Afterlife in pursuit of fleeting wealth, only to spend that hard-earned money on foods that lead us to illness, ultimately increasing our medical expenses. Many of us now allocate two-thirds of our earnings for food and healthcare, leaving the remaining third for superficial concerns, with little left for religion or the Afterlife.
Our digestive systems now operate more than our minds, and our jaws work harder than our hands and feet. It is no surprise that we are afflicted with numerous modern diseases. The digestive system deserves at least a 12-hour rest within any 24-hour period to process the food ingested, yet we can barely endure denying it an 8-hour break. Between meals, our digestive system should ideally rest for at least 4 hours; however, we seldom allow this. When we find ourselves idle, we often turn to the refrigerator for a snack, or we reach for nuts and other munchies. Even our children are given access to snacks to ensure they continually chew. The overconsumption of unhealthy food is one of the primary reasons why our children exhibit diminished intelligence, decreased interest in memorizing the Quran, and lack of enthusiasm for responsibilities and prayers. Imam Al-Ghazali wisely noted, "Overeating leads to dullness, and when a child eats excessively, it impairs their memory and distorts their intellect, causing them to become slow in understanding and comprehension." The ancient Arabs wisely stated, "Excess leads to harm," while wise men remarked, "Physical well-being comes from moderation in food, verbal peace from moderation in speech, and emotional tranquility from moderation in sin." Imam Al-Shafi'i eloquently stated, "Three things lead to the destruction of mankind: constant indulgence, excessive intimacy, and combining one meal with another." Imam Al-Khattabi al-Busti also wisely noted, "Those who eat out of hunger and overindulge will soon find themselves afflicted with miserable diseases. Knowledge cannot be compared to ignorance, nor experience to negligence."
As reported by echoroukonline.com.
