10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (4)

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10-Islamic-Manners-on-the-Dining-Table

Complete etiquette of having food
It is Sunnat to eat with the right hand and sit on the knees. No food should be taken while lying or relaxing but one can rest on the left hand while having food as there is no harm. It is wrong to squat while eating and worse to put one foot over the other. Eating alone is Makrooh (abominable). It is Sunnat to eat with servants and slaves – sitting on the ground. It is a popular belief among Ulema that one should not eat while walking and that it is Sunnat to wash the hands before and after the meal and not to dry them on a towel.

Certain Ulema are of the opinion that one should not eat with people who take Haram (non-permissible) food or perform Haram (non-permissible) act. Even to sit on a table set for them is Haram. It is also Haram to sit and eat with those people who lie about Muslims and blame them of performing non-permissible deeds. To taste salt before and after the meals is Sunnat.

Another reliable tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) states that a man who sits on the table with drunkards is cursed.

According to many of the reliable traditions, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has prohibited the use of left hand for having food except when a person is forced to or whose right hand is diseased.

Another tradition prohibits eating while lying on one’s stomach, relaxing or resting.

According to a tradition from Hasan, one day Ibad-e-Basari, a noted Sufi and Sunni scholar visited Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) while he was having food. Imam (a.s.)’s left hand rested on the ground. Ibad said to Imam (a.s.), “Aren’t you aware that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has stopped us from resting our hand on the ground?” The Imam (a.s.) lifted his hand a little and rested it back again. Ibad commented again. The third time the Imam (a.s.) replied that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has certainly not prohibited the resting of the left hand while having food.

A tradition states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to eat only from what was in front of him. He used to sit as one sits in the state of Tashahud while praying. The right foot used to be on the left and the back of the right foot used to meet with the front of left. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to say that he was a creature who was like others and sat among them.

According to Hazrat Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), when a person can use his right hand for eating, it is Makrooh to use the left hand.

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), one should not eat while walking, except when forced.

Many reliable traditions from Ahle bait and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) state that if a person wants his house to be blessed then he should wash his hands before every meal. Washing of one’s hands after taking the meal stops poverty and body pains.

Another tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) explains the etiquette of washing hands. Before the meal, the host should wash his hands first, followed by the guests and there may be no lapse of time between the washing of hands and having the meal. However, at the close of the meal, guest seated on the left of the host should wash his hands first followed accordingly by the other guests so that the turn of the host comes last. It is compulsory and obligatory for the host to wait with patience until all the guests have washed their hands.

Another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.) states that when one washes one’s hands before the meals one should not dry it but keep it wet for the food is blessed as long as the hands are wet.

It is narrated in a reliable tradition that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) asked Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to have salt before and after the meals; for, a man who takes salt before and after the meal is saved from seventy types of curses and a major of them is leprosy.

A tradition from Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) says that salt is the cure for seventy diseases and if people will come to know the advantages of salt, they will not use any other cure except salt. The Imam (a.s.) also said that God asked Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) to order his followers to have salt before and after the meals and if the order was not obeyed they will be encircled with troubles and at that time they will curse themselves.

Another tradition advises one to have vinegar before meals as it sharpens one’s brains. A tradition states that Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) had said that he took salt before and after the meals.

Yaser, the servant of Imam Reza (a.s.) states that the Imam (a.s.) used to call the young and old and even all the servants before sitting for the meals and make these people sit with him.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) commands us to take off socks and shoes before taking meals as; besides being the best of Sunnat, it is very comfortable for us.

A reliable tradition states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), while having food with congregation, used to order the guests to start the food early and to finish late or at leisure so that they may be able to eat more.

It is narrated in a reliable tradition that Sama bin Mahran asked Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) what he should do first when the time for food and prayers collide. The Imam (a.s.) asked him to have his meal first if the time for prayer was there, but if having food will cover the precious time for prayer, then he should pray first and take his meal later.

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (3)

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time-to-eatWays and timings of eating

It is Sunnat (recommended – optional) to eat early in the morning and be without food for the whole day and then have food for a second time after Isha prayers. The morsel should be small, the food should be chewed properly, while eating one should not stare at anyone and should not take very hot food. One should not cool the food by blowing with the mouth instead, let the food remain for some time till it cools. One should not cut the bread with knife and should not completely empty the bones. At least three fingers should be used to hold the morsel, and when quite a few people are eating in one plate, one should not put the hand in front of the other’s section. The plate and fingers should be completely cleaned. It is Makrooh (detestable) to eat in the state of Janabat. The rigidity of order is relaxed if one performs Wuzu or washes hands, gargles and puts water in the nose or simply washes hand and face and gargles. It is stated in a tradition that one may suffer from the disease of white spots if he neglects the above direction.

According to a reliable tradition, the nephew of Shahab went to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) complaining of stomach ache and heaviness of bowels. The Imam (a.s.) asked him to eat only two times – day and night – for God has said the same in the praise of food in Heaven.

‘(For those whose abode is Heaven), they will get their food already prepared both the times, morning and evening.’[3]

According to another tradition, a person who does not eat in the evening gets old, and old people should eat a little before going to sleep that they may be able to sleep. This will also cause good breath in the mouth and the person will grow more polite.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), any person who wants that the food should not harm him should not eat until his bowels are clear and he feels very hungry. When he begins his food, he should recite ‘Bismillah’. The food should be chewed and when there is a little bit of hunger left to be appeased, then one should stop eating.

According to Hazrat Imam Hasan (a.s.) twelve points should be kept in view about food by every Muslim. Four are compulsory, four are Sunnat (optional) and four are about manners.

The compulsory ones are:

  1. a)      Knowing one’s ‘Giver’
  2. b)      To know that all that we have is from God and be satisfied with the food He gives
  3. c)      Saying ‘Bismillah’
  4. d)      Thanking God.

The Sunnat are:

  1. a)      To wash hands before eating
  2. b)      To sit by keeping one’s weight to the left side
  3. c)      To eat with at least three fingers
  4. d)      To lick the fingers.

The manners of eating are:

  1. a)      To eat that food which is placed before one
  2. b)      To take small morsels
  3. c)      To chew the food
  4. d)      Not to look at others’ faces while eating.

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (2)

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eatThe right to have good tasty food and prohibition of greed

According to traditions coming from Ahle Bait (a.s.), it is Mustahab to eat and let others eat good and clean food and serve it with all formalities; and it is not right to make good food Haram upon oneself. It is however necessary that the food is sought by Halal means and one should not eat to the extent of forgetting prayers. One should not be like animals and only bother about eating and drinking; as eating and drinking is done for the sake of prayer and that one may gain strength. One should not spend to the extent of being known as spendthrift as God does not keep this type of man His friend.

According to a reliable tradition, Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) used to serve people with good bread, tasty Firni and delicious Halwa and used to say that when God is generous to us, we should be generous to people when serving them, and when we are in need we should be careful.

According to another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.), God will question every Momin on three topics on the day of judgement; firstly, what he had eaten, secondly, what he had worn and thirdly, how much he had fulfilled the desire of obedient wife and kept her away from Haram. Abu Khalid Kabuli visited Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) who served him with delicious food during breakfast. When the Imam (a.s.) asked how was the food, Abu Khalid praised the food and recited this Aayat:

‘And on that day will be definitely questioned about the manifold blessings of Allah.’[2]

According to a tradition from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), if you eat too much food, then white spots appear.

According to a tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), God keeps those people enemies who have these habits:

  1. a)      Who sleep during the day when they have not been awake during the night,
  2. b)      Who laugh meaninglessly,
  3. c)      Who eat after the stomach is full.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), once Hazrat Esa (Jesus) (a.s.) visited a city where a man and a woman were fighting with each other in loud tones. Hazrat Esa (a.s.) enquired about the cause. The man replied that the woman was his wife, very pious and had no vices but he did not like her and desired to be separated from her. When the Prophet Esa (a.s.) further asked the cause he said that the woman was getting old and had lost the freshness of the face. Hazrat Esa (a.s.) asked the woman whether she wanted the freshness of her face. She replied, “Why not.” Then Hazrat Esa (a.s.) asked her not to eat much for it spoils the freshness of the face. When the woman acted accordingly she looked young and was accepted by her husband.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), two things; leprosy and white spots are caused by five habits:

  1. a)      To use Noorah on Friday and Wednesday
  2. b)      To perform Wuzu and bathe with the water heated by sunlight
  3. c)      To eat during the state of Janabat
  4. d)      To cohabit with a woman when she is in period (monthly course)
  5. e)      To eat even when the stomach is full.

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), man needs to eat that much food which is needed for his strength. One part of the stomach should be for food, the second for water and third for breathing. One should not try to fatten oneself like the lamb meant for Zabeeha (slaughter). He also said that a full stomach causes revolt (disobedience) and quarrels.

Except fever, all sudden diseases and pains are caused by over-eating.

Another tradition from Hazrat Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that if the followers of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) follow the ways and manners of alien people especially those of dress and food, they will not be blessed and on the contrary, they will be degraded.

 

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (1)

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modern-dining-tables Utensils that are allowed in eating and drinking

Silver and golden plates are not permitted for eating and drinking and even their use for other types of work is doubtful. But it is better to avoid their use and display for decoration purpose. Any food which is kept in silver and gold is not permissible though this food can be taken out in other types of utensils. There is no reliability about this tradition. One group of Ulema does not perform Wuzu with utensils of silver and gold.

Many Ulema are of the view that the following things should not be made of either gold or silver. Surma bottle, scent case, agar case, chillum, lanterns (which are open on two sides and hung in holy tombs), case of the Quran, cases for the books of prayers and supplications, mirror cases and even walking sticks and pens; but according to Allama  Majlisi their non-permissibility is not proved. However, the end of Hukka pipe (Mohnal) should never be made of gold or silver. To eat or drink in all gilded utensils is Makrooh (detestable). If you eat in them, it is better not to let your mouth touch them.

If wine is kept in any utensil of glass or brass, then these utensils can be cleaned by washing them and even raw china which is not porous. But all clay utensils made by potter from ordinary clay need a lot of water to be cleaned once they have been soaked in dirt (wine). The water should be soaked in the clay pot to the extent that the impurity is removed. However, it is better not to use them.

According to a tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the person who uses utensils of silver and gold in this world will be kept away from them in heaven.

According to another tradition, Umro Bin Abilmukdam brought a cup of water for Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) which was joined with a silver piece which the Imam (a.s.) let loose with his teeth.

According to another tradition, Imam Reza (a.s.) has prohibited the use of clay pot coming from Egypt.

According to Buzi ibne Umar, he saw Imam Mohammed Taqi (a.s.) having food in a black bowl in the middle of which Sura ‘Qulho Wallah’ was written in yellow colour.

 

Is Vegetarianism Allowed in Islam (2)?

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VegetarianismA major argument put forth by vegetarians is that an animal has to be slaughtered and this fear within the animal will adulterate it’s flesh and lower the charge in the energy of the meat, thereby causing harm to whosoever eats the meat (as documented earlier). However,  the Islamic method of slaughtering creates honor and reverence in the slaughter, and this act carries no traumatic frequencies that could unbalance the electrical matrix of the meat.

Surprisingly, Heistand and Coleman (1999) quote an experiment in which the frequency of energy contained within the carrot had a bigger change when pulled from the ground than a cattle beast’s energy change when slaughtered. This means that the carrot actually screamed louder than the cow.
The criticism of the slaughter of animals by the opponents of Islam is unreasonable. Animals have been created by the creator to provide food for the human beings. There is life in everything man or animal eats or drinks. Therefore, saving or sparing life is not possible. This is the law of nature. The very existence of life depends upon the proper consuming of life. Life in the lower stages of creation has been purposely created to be sacrificed to serve the survival of the species in the higher realm.

Similarly, man has been created to sacrifice his self, which is dearest to him, to reach the higher realms of divinity or spiritual bliss. It is true that purposeless slaughter of animals is a waste of Allah’s bounty when it is carried out in contravention to the laws of the author of nature. Even for those who hold animals sacred, the surest way to show their concern is to slaughter them at the proper time, because one day they will be eliminated by death. Therefore, if an animal is to die anyway, it is better to use it for sustenance of human life, rather than letting it go waste. The merciful creator, therefore, has allowed slaughter of animals for the sustenance of human life.

In the days of ignorance, man sacrificed man to please his man-made gods. Islam stopped this practice. Instead, to keep alive the spirit of the intended sacrifice of Ismail by Ibrahim, to show his obedience to his Lord, sacrifice of animals has been prescribed. On the other hand, Islam prohibits purposeless killing of animals. As long as a haji is in ihram, he cannot kill even a mosquito. Hunting is not only forbidden during the hajj but also as a sport in ordinary life. Imam Ali, on his deathbed, asked his children to take care of the birds he had domesticated, or else to set them free. Once, a disciple of Imam Ja’far al- Sadiq killed some pigeons in exasperation. The Imam asked him to give one dinar in charity for every pigeon he had killed as expiation.

Once, the companions of Imam al-Hasan tried to make a dog run when the unclean animal came near them while they were having meals with the Imam. The Imam prevented them, began to eat one morsel himself, and gave another to the dog. He said:

I should feel ashamed if a creature of Allah looks at my food and I turn it away.

Allamah Taba Tabai (AR) writes:

Clearly, the system of creation, which has overall control on all the creatures, has ordained that man should get nourishment from meats, etc. Then it has guided the previous parts of existence towards it. It is the system, which has created in human beings the ability to get sustenance from both animals and vegetables. He has, in the front of his alimentary system, the teeth some of which are made to cut, the others to break, some to tear and others to grind. They are called canines, molars, premolars and incisors. Man is not like goat or cow, which cannot cut or tear apart, nor is he like the beasts of prey, which cannot grind or incise.

The faculty of taste with which his mouth is equipped finds the taste of meats pleasant. Then other organs of his digestive system likewise find the meats delicious and long for it. All this is a part of creative guidance, which proves that the Creator has given him permission to use and eat various meats. How can we separate this creative guidance from lawfulness of the work, which this guidance leads.

Islam is a natural religion. Its only aim is to revive the tracks of nature, which the human ignorance has obliterated. It is bound to declare lawful what the creation guides to and the nature decrees. Islamic Legislation revives this natural commandment. And in the same way, it restores other arrangements, which the Creator has ingrained in our nature. We have already mentioned that it confirms the decree of reason that one should abstain from such meats, which are harmful physically or spiritually. And, it strengthens the inner feelings by prohibiting what the normal human nature dislikes or feels aversion. These two principles ultimately are based on the Divine management of the creation. Islam has given credence to them. It has prohibited that which harms the growth of the body and has forbidden that which is injurious to the well-being of human society. For example, that which has been slaughtered in the name of other than Allah or that which has been obtained through gambling and dividing with arrows and so on, and it has prohibited those repulsive things which the nature abhors.

There is no doubt that mercy is a fine gift of Allah, which has been ingrained in the human nature and in many animals as well, as we have sometimes observed. However, the Creator has not given it the status that it should enjoy absolute power over all affairs, or should command unqualified obedience. The creation itself has not given the mercy free rein; otherwise, there would not have been in this world any trace of grief, disease, suffering and various types of tortures and oppressions.

Moreover, human mercy in itself is not like justice, inasmuch as it is not an absolute noble characteristic, which admits no restriction. Had it been so, then it would not have been proper to punish an oppressor for his oppression or to penalize a criminal for his crime; nor would we have been allowed to confront a transgression with similar action. If mercy means this, then the earth and all that is on it would perish. However, Islam has not neglected the demands of mercy altogether, because it is among the creation’s gifts. It has ordered us to deal with the animals with mercy. It has forbidden us to torture the animal at the time of slaughter. It does not allow dissecting the limbs of the slaughtered animal before it has died, nor is it allowed to skin it while it is alive.

Is Vegetarianism Allowed in Islam (1)?

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iStock_000017490436XSmallO, you who believe! Fulfill the obligations. The cattle quadrupeds are allowed to you, except that which is recited to you, not violating the prohibition against game when you are entering upon the performance of the pilgrimage. Surely, Allah orders what He desires. (al-Qur’an – Chapter 5, Verse 1)

In Qur’an Allah clearly states that He created the cattle for human benefit and consumption:

What! Do they not see that We have created the cattle for them, of what our hands have wrought, and of them, they are the masters? And, We subjected unto the cattle, and some of them they ride upon, and some of them they eat. And for them, in them are benefits and drinks. What! Will they not be grateful? (al-Qur’an – Chapter 36, Verses 71-73)

The Infallible (AS) have said: Of all the foods in the heaven and the earth, which can be taken with bread, meat is the best. Eating meat increases the growth of flesh and increases energy significantly.

In the Bible: For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. (Romans, 14:2)

Muhammad ibn Abdillah narrates from one of his companions that he said – I said to Abu Abdillah (AS) – May I be made your ransom! Why did Allah forbid the dead animal, blood and flesh of swine?

He said: Verily when Allah, the Blessed, the High, prohibited these to His servants and made the other things lawful to them, it was not because Allah liked these prohibited things for Himself; Blessed and High is He, nor did He dislike other things and so, allowed His servants to use it.

The fact is that He created the creatures and knew what would sustain their bodies and keep them in good health. Therefore, he made it lawful for them as a favor from Himself for their own well-being. Moreover, He knew what would be harmful to them, so He forbade it to them and made it unlawful. Yet He allowed it for those facing emergencies, and made it lawful to him when his body could not be sustained otherwise. Therefore, He ordered him partake from it to that amount which would avert the emergency, but not anymore.

Unless they choose a proper balance of foods, strict vegetarians are at risk for several deficiencies, especially vitamin B12. The other nutrients at risk are riboflavin, calcium, iron, and the essential amino acids lysine and methionine. Vegetarian children not exposed to sunlight are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Zinc deficiency can occur in vegans because the phytic acid in whole grains binds zinc, and there is little zinc in fruits and vegetables. Since B12 is present only in animal foods and a limited number of specially fortified foods, vegans should probably take B12 supplements prescribed by a physician. Further, the symptoms of vegetarianism may include protein deficiency, amino acid and mineral depletion coupled with chronic low levels of energy. Islam’s inclination to ingesting meat is an important dietary advice to Muslims and a prescription to healthy life. Animal products have been researched to have powerful vibratory frequencies, healthy and nutritious. We should know that in Islam:

  Animals have been created mostly for the benefit of humankind; men are the masters of them.

  God has created cattle for men, in which there is a sign of God.

  Cattle have been made for man to ride on and to serve as food and for various other advantages.

  Man can make use of the flesh, skin, feathers, and bones of animals.

  Qur’an approves dogs to be used for hunting.

  It points out that man, through the application of his skill and intelligence, has been able to make multiple uses of the skin and hair of animals for his comforts and conveniences.

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam(6)

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Islam Recommends One-Third of your Stomach to be Reserved for Water
This tradition comes to us from the Prophet (S) that:

One-third of your stomach should be filled with food, one-third with air, and one-third with water.

Islam therefore, recommends its followers and the whole of humankind to drink lots of water throughout the day and this has several electrical and chemical merits as well. According to Heistand and Coleman (1999):

The entire electrical function of every cellular process in our body depends on the electrical conductivity contained within every molecule. This conductivity increases and decreases depending on the hydration levels of our cellular structure.

Drinking water will greatly increase the hydration of every cell within minutes of taking the drink. And, this rapid interface can only be achieved with water (because of its highly balanced electrical matrix) and no other fluids.

Apparently, drinking lots of clean water is one Islamic way to cleanse oneself from toxins inside the body and introduce highly charged energy to the energy fields surrounding the stomach and intestines. Truly, water (mercy from Allah) has been termed the elixir of life. Brennan (1987) suggests (to healers, especially) to always drink a full glass of spring water between healing sessions. Drinking water before any kind of performance that involves mental effort has been well researched to have endless advantages.

 

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam (5)

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The-Top-Six-Healthy-Nutritional-Habits-in-IslamIslam Recommends Salt Before and After Each Meal
Salt is one of the best foods you can take before and after meals, and the recommendation by the Prophet (S) is very current and important. It is reported that the Prophet (S) always used to have salt before and after meals, and he said that a person who does this act is protected from 70 types of diseases (curses), among which leprosy is the minor one. Islam made this calling because of the benefits of salt (sodium chloride) to the physiology and the human energy system, in particular when taken before and after meals, when it has the most merit during the digestion process.

Without salt we cannot live. Salt ensures the transmission of electrical nerve impulses to and from the brain and the contractions of the heart and other muscles. Salt is necessary to the flow of nutrients around the body and is vital to the digestion of food. This help in digestion is what we need during meals. Salt stimulates the sensory nerve endings on the tongue to prepare your system for digestion, and increases the rate of absorption.

Sodium is also a principal component of a person’s internal environment, the extra-cellular fluid. Nutrients reach your body’s cells through these fluids. Sodium facilitates many bodily functions including fluid volume and acid base balance. Sodium enables the transmission of nerve impulses around the body. It is an electrolyte, and like potassium, calcium and magnesium it regulates electrical charges moving in and out of cells in the body.

Chloride, too, is essential to good health and is a fundamental element in the digestion process. It preserves acid-base balance in the body. It aids potassium absorption. It supplies the essence of hydrochloric acid used in the stomach to help us to breakdown and digest the food we eat and controls the level of bacteria present in the stomach.

A case in point, the main reason why we have medical doctors and health-care professionals restraining the general community from consuming salt is that it may cause or exacerbate high blood pressure. Unfortunately, the problem is not in the Prophet’s advice, but with the advancement in food processing and preserving technology, and we have too much salt content already in our processed and highly adulterated foods. Therefore, consuming extra salt would be harmful.

Second, the table salt lacks potassium and the companies concerned extract the important mineral and sell it as a supplement, so when people take too much table salt, it has the disadvantage to cause high blood pressure problems in a vulnerable person. The advice is to ingest pure sea salt that is balanced in sodium, potassium and other minerals, and to consume less preserved foods.

No matter what, the advice of the Prophet (S) remains an important matter to all of humankind to maintain that electrical and chemical balance during and after meals. Because salt has so many electrical properties within the body, its role in balancing the ambient energy fields cannot be ignored. Improper food digestion will affect the energy of the person concerned.

Scientists and observers have reported that a bowl of sea salt placed in space has the ability to purify the surrounding universal energy from all the shortages and blockages. The salt would attract any negativity to it (Poole, 1999). It is highly probable that ingested salt also has the same ability.

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam (4)

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The-Top-Six-Healthy-Nutritional-Habits-in-IslamEating in the Same Table where Alcohol is served is Forbidden

al-Kulayni has narrated through his chain from Abu Ja’far (AS) that he said:

Allah never raised any prophet but it was in Allah’s knowledge that when He would perfect his religion it would include prohibition of intoxicants. Intoxicants were always unlawful, even though they are carried away from (one) trait to (another) trait. And if it were imposed on them all together, it would have cut them off short of religion.

As Allah (SWT), Most Sublime, Most High commands us in Qur’an: They ask you concerning alcohol and gambling? Say! In them are great sin and some profit for men, but the sin is greater than their profit . (al-Qur’an – Chapter 2, Verse 219)

O you who believe! Intoxicants and games of chance, idols and divination by arrows are only an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So stay away from them so that you may be successful.

The Shaytan only desires to cause enmity and hatred in your midst through intoxicants and gambling, and keep you away from remembering Allah and from prayer. Will you then abstain from them? (al-Qur’an – Chapter 5, Verses 90-91)

The adulterated info-energy and the negative effects on the human energy and the universal energy field from intoxicants can be further explained by narrating the following tradition from al-Ridha (AS) who has said:

Allah (SWT) forbade the drinking of wine, since it causes corruption, disturbance and intoxication of the mind . and becomes the cause of all the sins including murdering, and accusing falsely chaste woman of adultery and committing adultery, lessening abstinence, and refraining from forbidden deeds. (Wasail-Shia – Volume 17, Page 22)
Drug experts describe alcohol as the most dangerous drug on earth. Water loss, vitamin deficiency and electrolyte depletion are few of the health hazards of alcohol, besides liver damage, pancreas disorders, and major psychiatric illnesses. Because of the adverse side effects of this drug and a few others, Islam has prohibited its use even in small quantities, as the drug is also addictive. The faults within the fields of energy created from ingesting such a drug is disturbing and the reason why we have a list of illnesses that are alcohol-related:

Nausea, vomiting, flushing, mental excitement or depression, drowsiness, impaired perception, stupor, coma, even death may occur. (Gosselin, R. E. et. al., 1984)

Muhammad ibn Abdillah narrates from one of his companions that he said – I said to Abu Abdillah (AS) – May I be made your ransom! Why did Allah forbid the dead animal, blood and flesh of swine? He said: As for intoxicants, Allah has made it unlawful because of its effect and disorder. Verily! The one addicted to liquor is like the idol worshipper. It creates in him tremor and takes away his radiance. It destroys his sense of honor, and incites him to indulge in unlawful activities like bloodshed and fornication. When he is intoxicated, there is no guarantee that he would not assault sexually the women who are within the prohibited degree (like mother, daughter or sister) without being aware of it. The liquor does not lead the drinker except to every type of evil. (Man La Yahdhuruhul-Faqih)
Apparently, Muslims have also been recommended to avoid eating where people eat and drink forbidden drinks, behave shamelessly and perform forbidden acts. The reason for this advice is clear, and is because that person would be sharing his or her info-energy with alcoholics who have disharmonious energy patterns and contaminated info-energy from the alcohol, which will contain memories of abuse and intoxication. This sharing of energy (with alcohol or alcoholics) would not only adulterate one’s energy system, according to Dye (2000) but also make him weak and prone to evil, lustful desires. The mind works less convincing if its energy fields are low charged and blocked.

The same applies to all other addictive elements such as cocaine, marijuana, etc. No wonder alcohol, like music leads to other major sinful acts. Drinking alcohol is considered the mother of all vices. Using similar explanations, we shall explain how music also leads to adultery, a saying of the Prophet (S), and how truthful he was. This is another reason why the Aimmah have linked alcohol to other sinful acts.

The negative effects of alcohol at the physical and energy level in the surrounding universal energy have been well explained by Ali when he said:

If a drop of liquor falls into a well and a minaret is built on its nearby land I will not recite Adhan (proclamation to prayer) from it; and if it falls into a river and in its dry bed grows grass, I will not let my horse graze on it.

It is reported that in one instance the enemy of al-Naqi (AS), the Shiite Tenth Infallible (AS) was unable to pick up a glass that contained alcohol in it and wanted to give it to the Imam (AS). In other words, alcohol itself refused to be picked up and go near one of the cleanest individuals on this earth. We all have had similar experiences wherein we relate to the object in question – like a glass of water spilling on us just because it is dirty and the water does not want the person drinking it, a trip that was suddenly changed or cancelled, and so forth.

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam(3)

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The-Top-Six-Healthy-Nutritional-Habits-in-IslamRemembrance of Allah (SWT) is Prescribed Before, During, and After Eating
In the Invocation of Kumayl, Ali (AS) remarks:

O’ He! Whose name is a remedy. Remembering Allah (SWT) and reciting several small invocations before eating have been greatly endorsed in Islam and other religions, and Muslims are supposed to perform this small act of worship before meals. Scientists have only now proven the benefits of deep breathing and relaxation (a state produced when invoking Allah (SWT) in prayer) before, during, and after meals. This practice has been well researched to increase nutrient absorption and allows the body to introduce the correct and healthy enzymes to break down the foods. True, blessings, prayer or silent contemplation before eating will improve digestion, assimilation and well being on all levels. The free flowing fields of energy and favorable info-energy released during these small episodes of prayer will undoubtedly affect the rate of absorption and elimination.

It is reported that besides washing hands, Muqaddas Ardabeli (one of the great Islamic Jurist) always performed ablution before eating. The powerful and positive effects of ablution on one’s energy fields has been noted, increasing the assimilation and productivity of the food at the physical and energy level.