“No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.” (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’I, Ibn Majah – Hadith Sahih, Hadith No. 47)

As-salaamu ‘alaikum,

The milk you drink and the food you eat, is it really the real thing?  Do you know there are additives in your food that are not only harming you, but are also harming the planet. Anything that you put in your mouth that could harm you is prohibited in Islam.

Think about it seriously! If there are additives that make us fatter, lazier and put our organs at risk of break down, then is it alright to eat them and drink them without thought? Now I realize there are many things that are unavoidable (reference to the argument that “everything is bad for us!”), but there are so many things that we eat and drink that are completely unnecessary and thus completely avoidable. Food is for sustenance, not to gorge on. It is to display thankfulness to Allah, not cry out His name when we are too full while rubbing our bellies saying, “Alhamdulillah!” This is not the way it was supposed to be.

In the time of the Prophet (PBUH) they ate less as the human body does not need excess for sustenance, took joy in even a small shrivelled date and were more worried about what their family, friends and neighbours were eating than themselves. We eat too much, we put photos of these foods on Facebook and tweet them to our friends to show off what a luxurious and excessive life we live. Really look at this…This is really strange behaviour. Why are we attracting this kind of attention to ourselves. Would it be ok for us if someone were standing next to our dinner table salivating over your plate? I doubt that. While the person seeing this picture hopes we get indigestion or choke on it, because they cannot have it or that they cannot afford to eat it. This is a cruel thing to do and it only opens doors for Evil Eye and bad blood, all over a thoughtless photo. We need to use our intellect. What are we eating, how much are we eating, are we bragging about this food that is only going to end up in waste? It was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that once said that when you dispose of even your garbage, such as fruit peels, make sure that you do it discreetly as to not rouse bad feelings or jealously in your neighbour if you were unable to share with him. This can apply to things beyond bragging about food, such as vacation photos or photos of parties or your new outfit. Be nice. Ask yourself. Allah has given you the power to really think about this, Alhamdulillah.

And if the nafs is not easily convinced then know this, Allah said:

“Then, they were followed by generations who neglected the prayer and followed their appetites. They will encounter a pit of fire except for those who repent…” (Maryam 59-60).

May Allah help us to understand what is good for us and what is bad for us, may He help us to use our intellect and think about others and how our actions could affect them, may He wrap us in His Mercy and open our hearts to Him, Ameen.

Please check out the film below to find some more shocking information. At the time this blog was printed this documentary was not available on YouTube. It now is, Alhamdulillah. So, we are sharing it here in its entirety, Insha’Allah.

 “The best generation is my generation, followed by the one after them then the one after them. Then will come a people who bear witness but are not asked to bear witness, who swear oaths but do not fulfill them and fatness will appear among them.” (Muslim &Bukhari).

Imam Ash-Shafi’I (RA) said: “I have not filled myself in sixteen years because filling oneself makes the body heavy, removes clear understanding, induces sleep and makes one weak for worship.”