The Top Recommended Food in Islam (5)

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ShowImageHareera

It comes down from a reliable tradition that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) liked porridge (Hareera) made of currants. When currants are added after the preparation of Ash, it becomes currant porridge.

Many reliable traditions praise meat-broth in which the bread is put; and also kababs which is supposed to cure weakness and fever and redden the complexion.

Even there is praise of the cheekbones, brain and tongue of the goat and it’s head as they are away from the place of dirt.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), Hareera (meat porridge) should be taken as it gives the strength for forty days’ prayers. Hareera was a part of the food which descended on the Holy Prophet from God.

 

 

The Top Recommended Food in Islam(4)

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Sattu-powderSattu

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), sattu (a blend of cereal powder or flour) was made with reference to a revelation from God. It increases weight, strengthens bones and is the food of Prophets. Dry sattu cleans and diminishes white spots and when had with olive oil, increases weight, strengthens bones, and freshens complexion and increases sexual strength; and if three tablespoons of sattu are taken in the morning, then it cures phlegm and cholera (i.e. Balgham and Safra).

Another tradition states that sattu diminishes thirst and cures all troubles of stomach and nausea. Cleans it and cures seventy other diseases including high blood pressure.

It is stated from Imam Mohammed Taqi (a.s.) that if a woman takes sattu, it will stop the flow of blood which exceeds the specified period of menstruation. 

The Top Recommended Food in Islam (3)

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Cow-MilkMilk

It is stated that milk was the diet of the Prophets. A person came to Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and said that after drinking milk he did not feel well. The Imam (a.s.) replied that milk was not harmful and that he must have taken something else with milk.

A person complained to the Imam (a.s.) about body weakness, at which the Imam (a.s.) ordered him to drink milk as it increases flesh on the body and strengthens bones.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), cow’s milk is a medicine.

In many of the traditions ghee has been praised a lot, specially the ghee made from cow’s milk. But aged persons who are fifty and above are advised not to take ghee.

 

 

The Top Recommended Food in Islam (2)

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meetMeat

According to a reliable tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), meat increases the flesh of one’s body and if for forty days a man has not eaten meat, then he should take loan and eat meat and this loan will be returned by the Almighty.

A person visited Imam Reza (a.s.) and said that the people of his house do not eat lamb as it creates melancholy (sauda) and also creates headache and other pains. The Imam (a.s.) replied that God prefers only lamb meat better than other kinds of meat otherwise he would not have preferred a sacrifice of it instead of Hazrat Ismail (a.s.).

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), the Children of Israel complained to Moses The Prophet (a.s.) that the disease of dandruff had increased a lot among them. God revealed unto Moses The Prophet (a.s.) that the people should be ordered to have beef with beetroot.

It is stated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that the meat of birds and cows cures dandruff. Cow’s milk is it’s medicine, ghee or oil is it’s cure and meat is a disease itself.

A reliable tradition states that whosoever wants that he should cure his anger and decrease sadness and grief should take the meat of partridge.

Hazrat Moosa Kazim (a.s.) states that the person who takes chakor meat will get strength in his knees and it will also cure fever.

A reliable tradition from Hazrat Imam Mohammed Taqi (a.s.) states that the meat of asfardad is good. It was liked by his father who used to say that this meat should be baked or grilled and given to those suffering from jaundice.

A tradition states that when people questioned Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) about having raw meat he stated that it was the food of animals of lower grade.

Most of the traditions prohibit having meat dried in the shade as it causes many types of pains and weakens the stomach and very few traditions negate it.

According to Imam Sadiq (a.s.), three things destroy health and even lead one to one’s death:

  1. a)      To have meat dried in shade and smelling bad
  2. b)      To bathe after having a full meal
  3. c)      To intercourse with old woman.

According to another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.), there are three things which have nothing to do with eating but increase weight – wearing cotton cloth, smelling good scent and applying depilatory (Noorah); and there are three things which are concerned with eating but decrease weight – dried meat, cheese and buds of dates. And there are two things which are always advantageous – luke warm water and pomegranate; and there are two things which are always harmful – dried meat and cheese.

A reliable tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that meat cooked in milk was the special diet of Prophets

The Top Recommended Food in Islam (1)

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breadBread

According to a reliable tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), one should give due respect to the bread, for it is the result of the hard work of many angels in heaven and men on the earth.

It is stated from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) that bread should not be kept under the bowl of curry.

Another tradition states that the Imam (a.s.) asked people to respect bread. The people questioned Imam (a.s.) as to how they should show their respect for bread. The Imam (a.s.) replied that one way is when the bread is kept before them, they should start eating it without waiting for anything.

According to a tradition from Imam Reza (a.s.), the bread should be baked in small loaves so that it may be sufficient for all groups.

 

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (10)

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waterManners of drinking water

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), whosoever, while drinking water, remembers Imam Husain (a.s.) and his Ahle Bait and curses his murderers and tormenters, one lakh good deeds will be written in his record, one lakh sins will be forgiven, he will be elevated one lakh times and he will be rewarded to the extent as though he has freed one lakh slaves in the name of God and on the Day of Judgement God will look towards his welfare. If he recites the following while drinking water, it is better:

‘May Allah shower his blessings on Husain (a.s.) and his Ahle bait and his companions. May He increase His curses on the murderers of Husain (a.s.) and his enemies.’

Another reliable tradition from the same Imam (a.s.) asserts that if a person does not drink water when he is feeling thirsty and appeases his thirst late, then God makes him an inhabitant of Heaven. Actually, before appeasing his thirst, he should wait for a while praising Almighty and then drink and at that time God makes Heaven compulsory for him.

In another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.), it is stated that if a person, before drinking water at night recites three times: ‘Salutation to the water of Zam Zam and water of Furat.’ then the water will not harm him.

According to a tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), one should not have water while standing, one should not walk around a grave and should not urinate in standing water. If a person does these things, he will be affected by troubles and then he will have to cure himself alone from these.

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), one should say ‘Bismillah’ before drinking water and ‘Alhamdolillah’ after drinking. If the clay container has a handle, then one should take the water from the front and if it is broken from somewhere or has a hole, then one should have water from the other side as both the situations are related to the devil.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has prohibited blowing with mouth in the water.

It is stated that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to drink water in glass utensils which had come as a present from Syria and at times in wooden and leather containers and if none were available, in his hand.

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (9)

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10-Islamic-Manners-on-the-Dining-TableThe types and advantages of water

A reliable tradition states that in this world and the world-to-come, there is nothing better than water. Anyone who takes pleasure in drinking water will take pleasure when God gives him the wine of Heaven.

According to a tradition from Hazrat Ali (a.s.), Zamzam water is the best water among all the waters of the earth and Burhoot water(which is in Yemen) is the worst for it is haunted by the spirits of the nonbelievers (Kafirs), and day and night it is in a state of curse.

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), Zamzam water is a cure for all diseases.

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said that one should drink rain water as it purifies the body and cures all pains and diseases.

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), cold water lessens temperature, cures vomiting, digests food, and is an antidote for heat and also stated that boiled water is good for all types of pains and is not harmful in any way.

According to Imam Reza (a.s.), the water which is boiled seven times in seven different vessels cures fever and cough.

Ibne Abi Taifur, a doctor, states that when he visited Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.), he saw him drinking a lot of water. When he stopped, the Imam (a.s.) replied that drinking water even in excess is not harmful in any way as it digests food in the stomach, lessens excitement (anger), increases intellect and cures vomiting.

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (8)

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10-Islamic-Manners-on-the-Dining-TableThe manners and advantages of cleaning one’s teeth (Khilal)

A tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that Hazrat Jibrael (a.s.) brought for the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) Miswak Khilal (toothpick) and horn for vivisection and said that Khilal strengthens the roots of teeth, makes them healthy and increases daily income.

A tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has prohibited the use of pomegranate or any fruit-tree’s branch as Khilal as it causes dandruff.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), doing Khilal with the wood of Jhao causes poverty.

Another tradition states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has ordained that the host should provide his guest with Khilal for angels look with anger at the food particles trapped in any one’s teeth.

A tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that the food particles which cling to the roots of the teeth should be eaten and those which are trapped between the teeth should be taken out and thrown away.

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), whatever is removed with Khilal should not be eaten as it causes internal wounds.

 

 

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (7)

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10-Islamic-Manners-on-the-Dining-TableManners of welcoming a faithful to one’s home

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), whenever a fellow Momin (faithful) visits one’s house, one should make him have food and if he refuses to have food then one should offer him something to drink and if he does not even accept that, then one should wash his hands with any scented water or just plain water.

Another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.) asserts that a person will be considered not worthy of reward who thinks his friends unworthy and is hesitant in offering towards his guests.

Another reliable tradition from the same Imam (a.s.) states that if a Momin (faithful) comes by himself to your place, then offer him whatever you have; but if you have called him, then take all the trouble over his visit.

According to a reliable tradition coming from Husham, he visited Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) in the company of Ibne Abi Yafoor. When Hazrat ordered for breakfast (Chasht), Husham said that he would have only a little. The Imam (a.s.) said that perhaps Husham did not know that one could find out the depth of friendship between two Momins by the amount of food they take in each other’s company. The more friendly they are, the more they will eat in each other’s company. Many reliable traditions are always stressing this aspect.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), inviting relatives, friends and neighbours for a dinner (Valeema) is Sunnat on five occasions – Marriage, Aqiqa (first shaving of the child’s head), Khatna (circumcision), when one has bought a new house or made a new house and lastly, when a visitor returns from travel.

However, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has asked people not to accept an invitation for dinner where only the well off are invited and the poor excluded.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has also stated that one should not reside with host for such a long time that the host faces trouble in meeting with the expenses of the guest and is worried on account of it.

Ibne Yafoor states that once he saw a guest at Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.)’s place getting up for some work. The Imam (a.s.) stopped him and performed that job for him personally. He stated that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has prohibited any work to be taken from the guest.

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), laziness and lack of manners also cause one’s failure to return the obligation someone has done for him. To take any work from a guest is lack of good behaviour and morals. Whenever a guest arrives one should welcome him by helping him in unpacking in a befitting manner; but when the guest is packing to leave, one should not help, as it is a sign of one’s selfish motive. One should provide the guest with most delicious food to have on his way, as it is a sign of one’s generosity and manliness.

Another tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) states that the host should go at least as far as the door when the guest is leaving.

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), when a person visits a certain place, he should stay wherever the host thinks it suitable for him as the host knows the internal problems of his own home very well.

It is enumerated according to Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that eight types of persons are worthy of being cursed:

  1. a)      A person who joins the meal uninvited
  2. b)      The guest who orders his host
  3. c)      One who expects a good turn from one’s enemy
  4. d)      One who hoards, is mean and stingy and still expects to be obliged by others
  5. e)      One who interferes without permission when two people are having a talk or a secret
  6. f)       One who does not give due respect to the king or those in authority
  7. g)      One who sits in the company of those who are not worthy of it
  8. h)      One who talks with a person who does not give due attention to his words.

Another tradition orders one to ask only those people to have food with whom one is friendly, just on account of God.

According to Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.), a person who gives food to a single fellow Momin with whom he is friendly for God’s sake, has done something which is better than providing food to the needy.

It is stated that when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to have food with guests, he used to start first and end later than all so that no guest may remain hungry.

Another tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) states that if one offers drinking water to a group, one should drink last of all.

Another tradition states that if a man spends hundred Dirhams on food and if a Momin has the food with him, then he is not spending foolishly.

Most of the traditions assert that when a guest arrives, he brings his daily food requirements along with him by the grace of God, and when he has eaten his fill and gone back, it is a means of forgiveness for the host’s sins.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), a person who feels happy at hearing the voice of his guest, has all his sins forgiven; though he may have filled the heaven and earth with his sins.

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (6)

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10-Islamic-Manners-on-the-Dining-Table Etiquette to be observed after the meals

After the meal, the hands should be washed and rubbed on one’s face so that one’s daily bread may increase and the freckles on the face disappear.

Mufazzal ibne Umar states that he complained of pain in the eyes before Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) told him that when he washes his hands after the meal, he should keep the wet hands on his eyebrows and eyelids and recite three times:

‘All praise is due to Allah who ministers kindness, makes one beautiful, showers one with blessings and elevates one!’

Mufazzal states that he followed the instructions of the Imam (a.s.) and never again had eye pain.

When Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) was having a meal in the house of Fazal bin Yunus, Fazal brought a napkin so that the Imam (a.s.) may cover his lap but Imam (a.s.) refused, saying that it was the etiquette of non-Muslims and allies nations.

 According to a tradition from Abdullah bin Abbas, one should say ‘Alhamdolillah’ while having food. According to a tradition from Amir-ul-Momineen Hazrat Ali (a.s.), a man who takes the name of Allah before starting his food and praises Allah after he ends the meal, then he will not be questioned about his food on the Day of Judgement.

A tradition from Imam Reza (a.s.) advises to lie down flat after having food and to keep the right foot over the left.

A tradition from Yasar and Nadeer, slaves of Imam Reza (a.s.) states that the Imam (a.s.) ordered them not to stand up to show their respect even to him while taking food, even if the Imam (a.s.) is standing near them and not to work while having food. Yasar says that if they answered that they were having meals when the Imam (a.s.) called them, then the Imam (a.s.) used to order them to finish their meal before doing the work.