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uestion &
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Question: "What does Imam Ahmed
al Hassan (a.s) and the Ahlul Bayt
(a.s) say about diet and the body?
What are the Commands for us?"
Answer: Many of the narrations from
the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and
the AhlulBayt (a.s) teach us that
through refining our inner self we
actually refine our outer self as well,
and through acts of worship we gain
health.
Imam Ali (a.s) said, ‘Adhere to silence
for the very least of its benefits is
health.’ [Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2314]
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: ‘Fast and
you will be healthy.’ [al-Da`aawat, p.
76, no. 179]
(a.s) teaches 400 Golden Rules for the
World and the Hereafter]
Imam Ali (a.s) said: 'The zakat of
health is exerting oneself in Allah's
obedience.’ [Ghurar al-Hikam, no.
5454]
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w
and the AhlulBayt a.s) also speak in
great detail about the consumption of
food until the stomach is full and the
harm it causes, and the duty that
Allah (swt) has made incumbent
upon the stomach, and how the
stomach that is not full, verily it is the
healthy stomach.
Imam Ali (a.s) said: ‘A man who eats
excessively, his health declines and
his burden becomes heavier than he
can endure.’ [Ghurar al-Hikam, no.
8903]
Imam Ali (a.s) said: ‘Hunger and
disease cannot coexist.’ [Mustadrak
al-Wasail, v. 16, p. 222, no. 19652]
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: ‘Applaud a
man who abstains from food, sleeps
hungry, and has patience. These are
the ones who will be satiated on the
Day of Judgment.’ [Bihar al-Anwar, v.
75, p. 462, no. 17]
In the Hadith of Miraj’ (The
Imam Ali Zain ul Abideen (a.s) said:
Ascension of the Prophet s.a.w to the
‘The right of your stomach is that you heavens), the Prophet (s.a.w) said: ‘O
do not make it into a container for
Allah! What is the outcome of
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: ‘Give
that which is unlawful to you and
hunger?’ He said, ‘Wisdom,
charity, and cure your sick ones
you eat no more than your fill.’ [alprotection of the heart, drawing
through the giving of charity, for
Faqih, V. 2, P. 376, no. 1626]
closer to Me, lasting sorrow, less
verily charity repels accidents and
burden on the people, telling the
illnesses, and is a source of increase
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: ‘A man
truth, and lack of concern whether
in your life spans and your good
whose [consumption of] food is little
one lives in wealth or poverty.’ [Ibid.
deeds.’ [Kanz al-`Ummal, 16113]
has a healthy stomach and a pure
v. 77, p. 22, no. 6]
heart, and a man whose food is
Imam Zain ul Abideen (a.s) said:
plenty has a sickly stomach and a
Imam Reza (a.s) said: ‘A man who
‘Perform the Hajj [obligatory
hard heart.’ [Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 1, wants to be healthy and have a light
pilgrimage] and the `umra [voluntary
p. 46]
body must decrease his dinner.’ [Ibid.
pilgrimage] so that your bodies
p. 324]
become healthy, your sustenance
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: ‘Man cannot
expanded, and your faith improves;
fill a container worse than his
And Imam Ali (a.s) said: ‘Eating
and suffice yourselves with the
stomach.’ [Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 1, p. apples refreshes the digestive system.
expenses of people and the expenses of 100]
Eating quince strengthens the weak
your families.’ [Thawab al-A`amal, p.
hearts, cures the digestive system,
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: ‘Be warned
70, no. 3]
kindles the hearts, gives courage to
against excessive food, for it poisons
the cowards, and gives parents
Imam Ali (a.s) said: ‘Standing at night the heart with hardness, slows the
adorable children. Eating 21 red
(for prayer) is healthy for the body
limbs in performing acts of obedience,
raisins every day on an empty
and pleases the Lord and brings
and blocks the souls from hearing
stomach keeps diseases away except
about the Mercy and is adherence to
counsel.’ [Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p.
from the illness causing death. Eat
the ethics of the Prophets.’ [Imam Ali 182, no. 10]
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