The Struggles of Identity and Self-Control
In these challenging times, where our holy sites are under threat and our identities are being encroached upon, it is imperative that we break free from the chains that weigh us down, weaken our spirits, and undermine our resolve. We must respond to the call of truth and stand firm at the frontiers that need our vigilance, each according to their ability and capacity. Yet, when we seek to heed the primal instinct within us, we are met with burdens that crush our backs, nooses that tighten around our necks, and reins that silence our voices. Tragically, much of this burden is closely related to our digestive systems, which now seem to have the loudest voice in determining our stances and roles. The cravings of our appetites have become one of the most grievous sources of our humiliation, subjugation, and dependence on others. We can no longer endure the fight for our sacred values or raise our voices high in defense of our identity, as our stomachs seem unwilling to relinquish the desires they have cherished and become addicted to over decades.
The Alarming Dependency on Imported Food
Recent reports concerning food imports reveal a troubling trend: six of the top ten wheat-importing nations are Islamic countries. Arab nations collectively import nearly 50 million tons of wheat annually, despite having over 220 million hectares of arable land, of which only a third is actively cultivated. Additionally, these countries spend approximately 110 billion dollars annually on food imports, meaning that a staggering 80% of what the populace consumes is sourced from abroad. How, then, can we hope to have our decision-making power in our hands? How can we expect to safeguard our religion, our sacred sites, our identity, our language, and our national security? As the late Algerian thinker Malik bin Nabi wisely stated, "As long as our wheat comes from our enemy, our decision is not in our hands," and the late Egyptian thinker Mustafa Mahmoud echoed this sentiment: "If your food does not come from your own labor, do not expect freedom from your thoughts." The gravity of our relationship with food has escalated to a level where it occupies a significant portion of our lives.
This situation is disheartening and leads to a bleak outcome. But how did the Arab and many Islamic peoples arrive at this point? Certainly, misguided policies are a primary cause. However, another significant factor lies within us—the Arab peoples—pertaining to our eating habits and relationship with food. We have strayed from our faith and even our traditional practices, allowing food to become central to our existence. Eating has transformed into one of our greatest concerns, with an insatiable appetite for different types and colors of food, not only among children but also among men and women alike.
Many of us do not eat solely when hungry or during meal times; instead, we graze continuously, consuming food without restraint throughout the day, often snacking between meals. Our refrigerators rarely remain closed, and the stove is seldom turned off. The most pressing worry for many mothers now is choosing the right meals for lunch and dinner. Similarly, women are increasingly drawn to cooking pages on social media, prioritizing meal preparation over fulfilling their religious obligations.
When we travel, our main concerns revolve around where to get our coffee and where to have lunch, with little regard for prayer times. Even during celebrations and weddings, food remains the focal point: what appetizers to select, and how to structure the meal courses. This obsession extends even to funerals, where discussions arise about what to serve guests alongside coffee, and which chef to hire for preparing meals. Such a fixation has led to scenarios where some even criticize the bereaved families for not adequately catering to their guests.
The abundance of grocery stores and fast-food restaurants is evident in every city, village, and street, bustling with patrons from morning till late night. Notably, women in urban areas constitute the largest clientele in these establishments, often lining up from ten in the morning. Public restrooms and toilets are overcrowded, and mosque facilities frequently suffer from cleanliness crises. The waste generated from households daily fills bags, and garbage trucks endlessly circulate the streets, revealing mountains of refuse in landfills that astonish those who visit.
Even the month of Ramadan, which should be a time for our bodies and kitchens to rest, has turned into a period of excessive food shopping, merely shifting lunch to dinner while transforming the hours between iftar and suhoor into a continuous cycle of eating. The phrase "I still haven't had dinner" has become a significant event in our lives, while "I still haven't prayed" is brushed off as a trivial matter. It has become common to miss appointments with our Creator or loved ones but never to miss a meal.
Our obsession with food, particularly unhealthy options, has resulted in various ailments and deteriorating health. If our diets were truly nourishing and fortified our bodies, there would be no need for such excessive focus on food. As Muslims, we ought to rise above being mere slaves to our appetites and desires. The Almighty states, "Indeed, Allah admits those who believe and do righteous deeds to gardens beneath which rivers flow, while those who disbelieve enjoy and eat like the animals, and the Fire is a refuge for them." Our priority should be to please our Lord, seeking entry into His Paradise, not to live merely for enjoyment and gluttony, resembling animals more than humans. We are meant to eat to live, not live to eat; yet, most of what we consume is detrimental to our health and leads to illness.
Many of the ailments that lead us to hospitals stem from digestion-related issues. Even conditions like hypertension and diabetes can often be traced back to our dietary habits. The digestive system is the second hub of our nervous system, and when it falters, it affects the entire body. As such, it is said that "overindulgence invites ailments, and ailments lead to death"; if the deceased were asked about the cause of their demise, many would cite overindulgence as a prime factor. Medical professionals have noted that overconsumption harms the body more than starvation.
Our excessive focus on food and irregular eating patterns, combined with the consumption of genetically modified and chemically treated foods, have resulted in a myriad of health issues. We now allocate a significant portion of our earnings to doctors and medications, filling our homes with pharmaceuticals primarily due to our bellies dictating our choices instead of the other way around. It is a grave loss to forsake our faith and the hereafter for the money we chase, only to spend it on food that brings diseases, leading us to spend even more on healthcare. Many of us currently spend nearly two-thirds of our income on food and healthcare, while a mere third is reserved for superficial appearances, leaving little for religion and the afterlife.
Our digestive systems are working harder than our minds, and our teeth are more active than our hands and feet. It is no surprise that we are plagued by modern ailments. The digestive system deserves at least 12 hours of rest every 24 hours to process the food ingested, yet we struggle to allow it a mere eight hours of uninterrupted relief. Between meals, it should rest for at least four hours, but we lack the patience. When we feel idle, we rush to the fridge for snacks or munch on nuts, and even our children are provided with snacks to keep them engaged, preventing silence at the table. The overconsumption of unhealthy food is one of the main reasons our children are less attentive, struggling with Quran memorization and academic diligence. Imam Al-Ghazali wisely noted that "overindulgence breeds dullness, and excessive eating can impair a child's memory and understanding." The ancients aptly observed, "Your teeth betray your gluttony," while the wise stated, "The body finds rest in reduced food intake, the tongue finds ease in fewer words, and the heart finds tranquility in fewer sins." Imam Al-Shafi'i also remarked, "There are three things that lead to ruin and invite sickness: constant drinking, unceasing intimacy, and mixing foods together." Lastly, Imam Al-Khatabi Al-Busti advised that eating outside of genuine hunger and consuming more than necessary leads to debilitating sicknesses. One who knows is not like one who is ignorant, nor is one who has experienced comparable to the one who has merely speculated.
Moreover, excessive eating can also lead to spiritual ailments. If overeating solely caused physical illnesses, it would be wise for the discerning to reconsider and reflect on their food choices, seeking to strike a balance between nourishment and moderation. The time has come for us to reflect on our relationship with food, prioritize our spiritual needs, and strive for a balanced lifestyle that honors our faith and nurtures our bodies.
As reported by echoroukonline.com.
