The Unseen Chains of Our Dietary Choices
In today's challenging times, when our sacred places are besieged, and our identities are threatened, it is essential for us to break free from the chains that bind us to the ground, diminishing our spirits and undermining our resolve. We must respond to the call of truth and stand on the frontlines according to our capabilities. However, when we attempt to heed this innate call, we find ourselves burdened by weights that crush our shoulders, shackles that constrict our voices, and reins that silence our tongues. Tragically, many of these burdens are intricately linked to our digestive systems, which have become the dominant force in dictating our stances and roles. Our appetites have turned into one of the most humiliating reasons for our subjugation and dependency on others. We can no longer withstand the test of time in defending our sacred values and raising our voices high to protect our identity, as our stomachs have become unwilling to relinquish the cravings they have become accustomed to over decades.
The Food Dependency Crisis
Recent reports indicate that among the top ten wheat-importing countries globally, six are Islamic nations. Arab countries collectively import nearly 50 million tons of wheat annually, despite possessing over 220 million hectares of arable land, of which less than a third is utilized. These statistics reveal that Arab nations spend approximately $110 billion yearly on food imports, amounting to 80% of what their populations consume coming from outside sources. Given this scenario, how can we expect our decisions to be genuinely in our hands? How can we hope to protect our faith, our sacred places, our identity, our language, and our national security? The late Algerian thinker Malek Bennabi stated, "As long as our wheat comes from our enemies, our decisions are not in our hands." Similarly, the late Egyptian thinker Mustafa Mahmoud remarked, "If your food does not come from your own effort, do not expect freedom of thought."
The current state of affairs is disheartening, and its implications are far from positive. But how did Arab nations and many Muslim communities arrive at this juncture? Certainly, poor policies are the primary cause. However, there is another reason that pertains to our behaviors and eating habits. We have distanced ourselves from our faith and even from our traditional practices, allowing food to become a central pillar of our lives. Eating has transformed into one of our greatest concerns, with an overwhelming obsession with various types, colors, and timings of food, transcending age and gender. Many of us do not eat solely when hungry or during designated meal times; rather, we eat at all hours, often combining meals and snacking continuously. The incessant opening and closing of refrigerator doors have become a norm, as mothers increasingly stress over meal selections for lunch and dinner, while the most followed social media pages among women are those dedicated to cooking.
Our preoccupation with meals often overshadows our obligations and prayers. When traveling, our primary concern is the coffee stop and dining locations, while the timing and place for prayers receive little attention. In celebrations and weddings, food choices dominate conversations, with considerations for appetizers and main courses taking precedence. Even in funerals, discussions revolve around food provisions for mourners, with criticism directed at the bereaved for insufficient hospitality. Grocery stores overflow with products, and restaurants, particularly fast-food outlets, are packed from morning until late at night, with women in urban areas emerging as the largest clientele.
Public restrooms are frequently crowded, and the cleanliness of mosque facilities often suffers. Daily household waste burdens our surroundings, with garbage trucks continually circling the streets, and those who visit landfills cannot help but be astonished at the towering piles of refuse. Even during Ramadan, a month traditionally dedicated to fasting and reflection, our food purchases double, as we merely shift our meal times from lunch to dinner, turning the hours between breaking fast and pre-dawn meals into a continuous cycle of eating.
Our obsession with food has resulted in health complications, diminished intellect, and weakened comprehension. If everything we consumed was healthy and nurturing, perhaps our fixation on food would be justified. Yet, we have become enslaved to our appetites, as emphasized in the Quran, where it is stated that those who live solely for pleasure resemble livestock without any higher purpose. We, as Muslims, are meant to aspire for more than being slaves to our cravings. Most of our ailments necessitating hospital visits stem from dietary choices, particularly digestive illnesses, which also contribute to conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and various mental and neurological disorders. The digestive system is a second brain, and its distress manifests in the body; hence, moderation in eating is crucial for our overall health.
This excessive focus on food leads to an overwhelming amount of resources spent on healthcare and medications, draining our finances and diverting our attention from spiritual and ethical commitments. Many find themselves expending two-thirds of their income on food and medical care, leaving little for religious obligations and the afterlife. Our digestive systems have overtaken our minds, and our teeth have become overactive compared to our hands and feet. It is imperative to allow our bodies to rest, as the digestive system requires at least 12 hours of respite within a 24-hour period. Yet, many struggle to abstain from eating for even eight continuous hours. The constant availability of food has resulted in a culture where even the youngest among us are conditioned to seek snacks as a distraction. Excessive consumption, especially of unhealthy foods, has detrimental effects on our children's cognitive abilities, impacting their education and spiritual commitments. Renowned scholars have long warned against the dangers of overeating, emphasizing that excessive food intake dulls the intellect and hampers learning. Thus, it is vital to cultivate a balanced relationship with food, one that prioritizes health over indulgence, allowing us to reclaim control over our lives and destinies.
As reported by echoroukonline.com.
