HEALTH , NUTRITION IN ISLAM

BY
Dr. Mostafa A. Arafa
Associate Professor of Epidemiology
High Institute of Public Health
Alexandria University, Egypt
marafa@dataxprs.com.eg E-mail

Blok Nutrisi dan Sistem Digesti, 29 April 2010 [27]

Suggested Readings
Islamic Holistic Medicine site for Muslims

Health promotion through Islamic lifesty

les the Amman declaration

Learning objectives
To learn the concept of health and- 1
nutrition in Islam
To describe the fundamentals of- 2
healthy Islamic life styles and how
much they are in accordance with
modern life
3

God has bestowed on humans his

blessings, both hidden and
apparent. Of these blessings the
greatest is that of health, which
the Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him,
regarded as one of the two graces
the importance of which was not
.appreciated by many people
4

Concept of health in Islam

In Islam the concept of health as
demonstrated in Quran and
Sunnah (Prophets hadith and
practices) is that Mankind should
sound mentally, physically and
socially
5

Definition of health
The conventional definition of health
being the absence of any manifestation of
disease and believing that health is a
state of complete physical , mental and
social well-being, Islam deems this to be
a necessary component of faith and of
islamic law, which Moslems implemented
during their golden age and in so doing
provided evidence supporting its
. applicability
6

Food and Nutrition

The important principal in Islam
is that the food we consume will
have a direct effect on not only
our physical bodies but also our
.souls
7

To keep optimum health we have to

.ensure proper diet and nutrition
:The holy Prophet Muhammad says
Stomach is the home of disease. Diet
.is the main medicine
Sahih Muslim
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Nutritional basic Islamic concepts

on health
Nutrition doesnt mean just physical
nutrition. Nutritional needs are of
the SOUL, of the MIND and lastly of
the BODY

In Islam, all that in this universe is

governed by a set of Divine laws or
laws of nature. Thus nutrition, food
and health are linked to basic Divine
. principals

10

Health , Islamic perspectives

Islam has laid down the foundation in
Quran and Sunnah for the best
approach of of balanced health. This
approach is mainly through selection
of the best, preventive methods, and
.staying away from harmful things
Summary of the main ideas of Islam
relating to nutrition and health is
:presented in the following slides
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Allah asked every one to eat what is -1

lawful. Allah says in surah Al-Baqarah
:(The Cow)
Ye people eat of what is on earth lawful
and wholesome (Quran 2:168)
Muslims are to eat the best food after -2
selecting. Allah says in Quran in surah
Al-Araf (The heights)
Eat and drink , but waste not excess, for
Allah loves not the prodigals (Quran
7:31)
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Muslims are to select the best quality of food. -3

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al Kahf (the
: Cave)
Now send ye then one of you with the money of
yours to the town : let him find out which is
the best food (to be had)
)Quran 18:29(
Regarding the idea of moderation through -4
diet, it is mentioned in Surah Taha
Eat of the good things we have provided for
your sustenance, but commit no excess therein
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In another approach,MIslam demands - 5

from its followers the idea of total
Abstinence of food and drinks for one
whole month from dawn to sunset.
Fasting increases productivity and curbs
inflation. Allah says in the Quran in
:Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed
for you as it was prescribed for those
before you, that ye may learn self
restraint. i.e. to have Taqwa
14

M
With regards to fasting, the prophet
:Muhammed (PBUH) said
fast (the month of ramadan) so as
to heal your bodies from diseases

15

The Islamic way of life is a system of

Divine principals and code of ethics to be
applied in the daily life of every person.
Islamic life styles embrace numerous
positive patterns promoting health and
rejecting any behaviour which is
contradictory to health. As such Islam
have many constructive ideas to offer in
the field of health care and medical
.practice
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