Ihsaan Magazine August 2016 | Page 22

Health & Lifestyle IMPORTANCE OF FITNESS & EXERCISING IN ISLAM WRITTEN by. Hanna Ali - GFMTT A llah (AWJ) gave us Islam not only as a religion but as a way of life. He told us how to live our lives to attain Jannah (Paradise) and how to live a good life in this World. Allah (AWJ) being perfect and great, gave us guidelines (the Quran & Hadith) so we`can do both. There are guidelines on how to choose a spouse, how to raise your kids and even how to sleep. So living a Prophet Muhammad (s) said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.” [Sahih Muslim 2664] In the above hadith the Prophet Muhammad (s) was speaking about our Imaan (faith) and Akhlaq (character) but also indicating that physical strength is as important as the above mentioned. Always remember that everything that we do is for the sake of Allah (AWJ). Keeping your body healthy and strong is for the sake of Allah. There are so many stories in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and our other Prophets that we can go back to and read where physical strength was a necessity and not a luxury or a hobby. Being physically fit was a requirement in order to protect their women, their children and the elderly. It was also important in protecting their property and homes. Physical fitness does not only come from exercising but also from your eating habits. The Prophet Muhammad (s) said “Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: Onethird for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah] 20 | Ihsaan | Issue 1