The Urgent Call for Change in Our Dietary Habits
In these challenging times, when our sacred places are under threat and our identities are marginalized, it should have been our duty to shed the shackles that bind us to the ground, weaken our spirits, and erode our determination. We ought to respond to the call of "truth" and raise our voices in defense of our beliefs, standing firm at the frontlines according to our individual capacities and potentials. However, upon attempting to heed the inherent call within us, we find ourselves burdened by weights that crush our shoulders, collars that constrict our necks, and reins that silence our tongues. Tragically, much of this burden relates to our digestive systems, which now dictate our stances and roles. The cravings of our appetites have become one of the most profound sources of our humiliation, weakness, and dependency on others. We can no longer muster the strength to defend our sanctities or raise our voices in protection of our identity, for our bellies show no willingness to relinquish the desires they have grown accustomed to over decades.
The Economic Strain of Food Dependency
Reports indicate that among the top ten wheat-importing nations globally, six are Muslim countries. Furthermore, Arab nations collectively import nearly 50 million tons of wheat annually, despite possessing over 220 million hectares of arable land. Yet, less than a third of that land is actually utilized for agriculture. Statistics reveal that Arab countries spend approximately 110 billion dollars on food imports yearly, meaning that 80% of what their populations consume is sourced from abroad. Given this predicament, how can we expect our decisions to be in our hands? How can we hope to protect our religion, our sacred sites, our identity, our language, and our national security? The late Algerian thinker Malik Bennabi wisely stated, "As long as our wheat comes from our enemies, our decisions are not in our hands," echoing the sentiment of the late Egyptian thinker Mustafa Mahmoud: "If your food isn’t from your own labor, don’t expect freedom to come from your own head."
Thus, food has become a considerable concern in our lives. This state of affairs is disheartening, and its consequences are dire. But how did Arab and many Muslim communities arrive at this point? Undoubtedly, misguided policies are a primary cause. However, there is another factor that lies within us as Arab communities, tied to our behaviors and habits regarding food. We have strayed from our religious values and even our traditional practices, allowing food to become central to our existence. Eating has transformed into one of our most significant concerns, with an insatiable appetite prevailing among not just children, but also men and women alike.
Many of us do not eat solely when hungry or during meal times but indulge at any moment, often combining meals and snacking incessantly. Our refrigerators rarely go unopened, and the stove is seldom cold. The primary concern for many mothers has shifted to what to prepare for lunch and dinner. Social media pages dedicated to cooking have become some of the most-followed by women. We carry the burden of meal planning far more than we carry the weight of our religious duties and prayers. During travels, our primary focus often becomes where to grab coffee or where to dine, while the time and place for prayer are overlooked. In our joyous occasions and weddings, the main focus is on food choices, such as appetizers and main courses, rather than on the spiritual significance of the event.
Grocery stores are overflowing, and fast-food restaurants are ubiquitous, bustling with patrons from morning until late at night. Interestingly, women are now among the primary consumers of fast food, especially in major cities. Public restrooms, particularly in mosques, often face cleanliness crises due to the sheer volume of visitors. The amount of waste generated daily is staggering, with garbage trucks frequently circling the streets, and anyone visiting a landfill in any city would be astonished by the mountains of refuse.
Even during Ramadan, a month designated for fasting and reflection, food consumption increases significantly. We merely postpone lunch to dinner, with the time between Iftar and Suhoor becoming an open arena for feasting. The phrase "I haven’t had dinner yet" has become a significant event in our lives, while "I haven’t prayed yet" seems to pass by without notice. Many of us might miss appointments with our Creator or loved ones, but we never miss a meal!
This insatiable appetite for food has bred numerous ailments, weakening our intellects and spirits. If our diets consisted of healthy, nourishing foods, there would be no need for such concern. We were created for a higher purpose than to serve our appetites and desires. Allah, the Almighty, says, "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 the animals eat, and the Fire will be their abode." A true Muslim's concern should be to please their Creator to gain entry into Paradise and witness His glorious face, while those who live solely for pleasure are akin to livestock, focused only on grazing without regard for the greater purpose of life. A Muslim eats to live, not lives to eat. If our diets consisted primarily of healthy foods that strengthen us, we would not prioritize food above all else, especially when much of what we consume contributes to our illnesses and ailments, hindering our ability to fulfill our duties.
The most prevalent ailments that lead us to hospitals are gastrointestinal diseases caused by our eating habits. Even other common illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disorders, often stem from poor diet. Some neurological and psychological conditions, as well as bone diseases, are also linked to the stress placed on our digestive systems. The colon, being the second most crucial nerve center after the brain, affects the entire body when afflicted. Therefore, it has been noted by some scholars that "overeating leads to indigestion, and indigestion leads to illness, while illness can lead to death. If those in graves were asked why they died, the majority would likely say: 'Overeating.'" Medical experts and sages have asserted that the body suffers more from overeating than from hunger.
Our excessive focus on food, irregular eating patterns, and consumption of genetically modified and chemically treated foods have led to numerous diseases. Consequently, we spend a significant portion of our earnings on doctors and medications, filling our homes with pharmaceuticals largely due to our appetites dictating our lives rather than the other way around. It is a monumental loss to forsake our faith and the afterlife for material wealth, only to spend that hard-earned money on food that brings us illness, which then necessitates further expenses on medical care. Many of us now allocate two-thirds of our income to food and medical expenses while spending the remaining third on superficialities, leaving little for our faith and the afterlife.
Our digestive systems now operate far more than our minds and brains, with our teeth working harder than our hands and feet. Therefore, it is unsurprising that we are afflicted with all manner of modern diseases. The digestive system deserves at least a 12-hour rest every 24 hours to digest the food consumed, but we often cannot bear to give it even eight uninterrupted hours. Ideally, there should be at least a four-hour gap between meals, yet we lack the patience. When faced with idle time, many of us head to the fridge for snacks or munch on nuts, with merchants catering to this need by providing "roasted seeds" and other snacks to keep our mouths occupied. This excessive consumption, especially of unhealthy foods, is a primary reason our children exhibit decreased intelligence, reduced interest in memorizing the Quran, and a lack of motivation towards their responsibilities and prayers. The late Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali wisely noted: "Overeating leads to lethargy; when a child eats excessively, their ability to retain information wanes, and their cognitive abilities deteriorate." The Arabs of old rightly stated, "Your teeth wear out from gluttony," while wise men have remarked, "The body's comfort is found in eating less, the tongue's comfort in speaking less, and the heart's comfort in committing fewer sins." Finally, Imam al-Shafi'i remarked: "Three things destroy humanity and lead the healthy to sickness: constant drinking, persistent indulgence, and mixing foods." The sage al-Khattabi al-Busti advised that "whoever eats unwisely and beyond their needs will soon find themselves in a state of illness and distress."
As reported by echoroukonline.com.
