Food and Eating Habits According to the Sunnah

 بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

By Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah رحمه الله

Comprehensive notes covering the most important qualities of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in regards to food and diet. [Zaadul-Ma’aad (p. 2/397-406)]

FOOD:

Follow the Sunnah & Allaah will facilitate you towards it

 بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الْمُغِيرَةِ، حَدَّثَنَا الْأَوْزَاعِيُّ، عَنْ حَسَّانَ، قَالَ: " مَا ابْتَدَعَ قَوْمٌ بِدْعَةً فِي دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا نَزَعَ اللَّهُ مِنْ سُنَّتِهِمْ مِثْلَهَا ثُمَّ لَا يُعِيدُهَا إِلَيْهِمْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ "

Imaam al-Daarimee reports in his Sunan that Abu al-Mugheerah informed us, that al-Awza`ee narrated to us, on the authority of Hassaan (bin `Attiyah) said: “People do not introduce a bid`ah (innovation) in their religion except that Allaah takes away from them (by causing them to forget or be negligent about) the Sunnah equivalent to it, and then it will not be returned back to them till the Day of Judgment.”

Removing The Doubts: Hadeeth on "Completion of 100 Years"

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

The Hadeeth:

Narrated `Abdullaah bin `Umar: Once the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم led us in the `Ishaa’ prayer during the last days of his life and after finishing it (the prayer) (with Taslim) he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Do you realize (the importance of) this night? Nobody present on the surface of the earth tonight will be living after the completion of one hundred years from this night.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (116, 564, 601) & Saheeh Muslim (4611)]

Importance of Greeting and the state of the Muslim Ummah

 بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Question: Should we still greet those who do not reply back to us?

Answer: The greeting of Salaam and the reply to it is a right of one Muslim upon another. There are many Aayaat in the Qur’aan where we have been commanded to greet each other, for e.g.:

{When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allaah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things.} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 86]

The Bold Statement

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿ادْعُ إِلِى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَـدِلْهُم بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ ﴾

{Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them with that which is best. Truly, your Lord best knows who has strayed from His path, and He best knows those who are guided} [Surah al-Nahl (16): 125]

Leave off that which does not concern you

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

On the authority of Abu Hurairah: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Part of someone's being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.” [Tirmidhee (2317) and Ibn Majah (3976) and Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

A question was asked to Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen:

Islaam between abandonment and extremism

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Apart from misunderstanding or misinterpreting the Texts (the Qur’aan and the Ahaadeeth), the causes for deviation in the Deen can be summed up to two Major reasons:

1. Extremism

2. Abandonment (negligence/leniency)

And both of these habits lead one to go against the teachings of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Both of these habits only cause harm to Islaam and Muslims.

1. The Extremists:

Being an extremist or overzealous makes a person to exceed the limits and then eventually it leads to disobedience and not properly follow the Sunnah. The biggest example is that of the Khawaarij. In order to have a “perfect society” they went into extremes and overburdened themselves and others with undue hardship to the point where one of them didn’t even believe in the justice of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم (as mentioned in the Hadeeth reported in the Saheehain), nor in the justice of the Companions and they killed `Uthmaan, `Alee and the other Companions رضي الله عنهم; and in the present era they are still upon their evil methodology of revolting against the rulers and causing destruction amongst the Muslims and to the Muslims. And as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “and they would pass clean through their religion just as the arrow passes through the prey, and they would never come back to it.”

2. The Negligent:

Then there are those who are at the other end of the spectrum. People who are so lenient that the obligations of Islaam carry no weight with them and the prohibitions in Islaam are manipulated to suit their desires. An example is of those who make the unlawful such as music, adultery, intoxicants etc. as lawful, and those who abandon the prayers and give little importance to learning the religion. An example of such a group is the Soofees, who are lenient about the rules set by the Muhadditheen, and accept any narration, even if it is weak or fabricated, as long as it supports their beliefs. And they’ll reject a narration, even if it is authentic, if it goes against their beliefs. They give little importance to the matters of `Aqeedah. They care less if their actions are according to the Sunnah or if they are Bid`ah.

Allaah protect us all from falling into these two extremes; and that He guide us towards the Wasatiyyah (the middle path) and make us among the righteous.

What follows is a series of Ahaadeeth which warn against extremism and abandonment in Religion.

Tafseer: The Aayah which contains relief

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجاً - وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَـلِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدْراً ﴾

{And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him.}

[Surah Al-Talaq 65:2-3]

Difference between al-Kursi and al-`Arsh

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

In the saying of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى:

﴿وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَـوَاتِ وَالاٌّرْضَ﴾

{His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth}

Removing The Doubts: The Existence Of al-Dajjaal

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Introduction:

Alhamdulillaah! With the advent of technology, the access to any Aayah of the Qur’aan or a Hadeeth is only a click away. And so many Islaamic literatures have been translated and are available over the internet free of charge.

But like everything in this world, it has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the bigger issues seen nowadays is that the young ones* among us are taking everything available over the internet, neither confirming the sources nor checking the authenticity.

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #16

The Chapter on Sutrah (Screen)

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Book of Prayer: Chapter: The Sutrah of the Imaam is also the Sutrah for those behind him ^[1]

The 2 essential prerequisites of eating food:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

The 2 essential prerequisites of eating food are:

1. It should be Halaal (lawful).

2. It should be Tayyib (good).

Allaah تعالى says:

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #15

The 5 things which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم boasted about

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Book of Prayer: Chapter: “The earth has been made a place for praying”

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #14

Traveling to places which are cursed?

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Book of Prayer: Chapter: Praying at places where the earth had sunken

And it is mentioned that `Alee رضي الله عنه disliked praying in Babylonia where it was sunk (as a punishment).

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #13

To repeat the prayer if it was offered in a cemetery

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said: 

Removing the Doubts: Hoor: Their Correct Gender

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، وبعد

This treatise has been divided into five categories in order to expound on the subject:

A. The importance of following the texts (the Book of Allaah and the Ahaadeeth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the matters of the unseen.

Refuting, innovations and innovators, is from the Religion of Islaam

Refuting, innovations and innovators, is from the Religion of Islaam

Translated by Rasheed Barbee

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Refutations are from the Religion of Islaam. By the Noble Scholars:

* The Mufti Shaikh `Abdul `Azeez Aal-Shaikh

* Shaikh Zaid Al-Madhkhali

* Shaikh Saaleh Fawzaan

* Shaikh Rabee` Al-Madhkhali

Syed Qutub: Lost in translation

“Wahdatul Wujood” in “In the Shade of the Qur’aan”

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

The following is a small example to inform our English speaking brothers and sisters on how the book “In the Shade of the Qur’aan” by Syed Qutub is being “mistranslated”, to hide some of Syed Qutub’s deviancy and errors especially in the matters of `Aqeedah (Creed).

The purpose here is not to talk about Syed Qutub, but rather to do justice to the scholars who have warned against him, and have informed the Ummah not to read his books, especially his book “In the Shade of the Qur’aan”. But when one reads the English translation, he will not find some of these mistakes.

Removing the Doubts: The Impermissibility of calling Allaah by the names of other “gods”

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Referring to Allaah by the names of pagan and other “gods” like the Hindu “gods”: “Brahma” (Creator), “Vishnu” (Sustainer) or the Christian “god”: “Abb” (the loving Father) or as the pagan “god”:  “Thor” (the “god” of thunder) is not correct; and accordingly naming people as `Abdul-Brahma, `Abdul-Vishnu or `Abdul-Abb is not correct.

The names Brahma, Vishnu etc. are proper nouns, which have already been assigned to the pagan "gods".

Allowing the people to refer Allaah as “Brahma” only because “Brahma” means al-Khaaliq (the Creator) or “Vishnu” because it means al-Rabb (the Sustainer) is not a justified reasoning. Rather this type of reasoning is a gateway to other evils as it does not stop here. According to this “reasoning”, it becomes justifiable to refer Allaah as “Lakshmi” (the Hindu “goddess” of wealth and prosperity) because from the Names and Attributes of Allaah is “Al-Ghaniyy” (the All-Sufficient) and “Al-Mughni” (the One who enriches). And Allaah’s help is sought from this evil. And free is Allaah of what they attribute to Him.

It is a grave injustice when a person speaks about Allaah without knowledge, and attributes to Him سبحانه وتعال without any textual authority.

Reliance on Allaah and the Du`aa are the most trustworthy weapons in the battlefield

Narrated `Abdullaah ibn `Umar: The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم went out on the day of Badr along with three hundred and fifteen (men). The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #12

Begin every good thing with the right-hand side

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Book of Prayer: Chapter: Starting from the right for entering the Masjid

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #11

Imaam’s Responsibility To Correct The Prayer Of The Followers

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Book of Prayer: Chapter: Imaam preaching the people to correct their prayer

Know the Companions – Introduction

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Everyone loves to know about the lives of the people who accompanied the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم – who saw, spoke and learned from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم – who ate, drank, travelled, and fought with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم – who sacrificed their wealth, lives and families for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and Islaam. They were the best of people, after the Messengers and Prophets عليهم الصلاة والسلام, to walk on the face of the earth. As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

In defense of the Companions

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

All the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم were `Adool (just) and Sudooq (truthful). We do not revile anyone of them, nor do we mention them except in goodness.

Whatever took place between `Alee, Mu`aawiyah and some of the other Companions, رضي الله عنهم اجمعين, then we remain silent about this. They will get twice the reward for their correct judgments and decisions, and they will still be rewarded for their incorrect decisions. As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “If a judge gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is correct (i.e. agrees with Allaah and His Apostle's verdict) he will receive a double reward, and if he gives a verdict according to the best of his knowledge and his verdict is wrong, (i.e. against that of Allaah and His Apostle) even then he will get a reward.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

Dirty the cup, but don’t dirty the Sunnah.

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

In recent times it has become much apparent that many of those who follow the Sunnah of eating using the fingers of the right hand abandon the Sunnah of drinking with the right hand. When questioned about this practice they excuse themselves by stating that if they do so, their cup will get dirty. They are willing to dirty (abandon) the Sunnah, but they are not willing to dirty the cup! Subhaan-Allaah!

No Obedience to the creation in Disobedience to the Creator

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

 

`Imraan bin Husain narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “There is no obedience to anyone while in disobedience to Allaah.” [Musnad Ahmad (5/66) and Shaikh al-Albaanee said in al-Saheehah (179): It is Saheeh as per the condition of Muslim.]

Know the Companions #10 - `Abdullaah bin `Amr bin al-`Aas رضي الله عنهما

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

HIS NAME

`Abdullaah bin `Amr bin al-`Aaṣ رضي الله عنه, Ibn Waail bin Hishaam bin Sa`eed bin Sa`d bin Sahm bim `Amr bin Huṣaiṣ bin Ka`b bin Lu’ai bin Ghaalib. 

Weakness of the Hadeeth: The Lesser Jihaad

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth al-Dha`eefah of Shaikh al-Albaanee:

2460 - “We are returning from a minor Jihaad (and heading) to a major Jihaad.” [It was asked: What is major Jihaad? He replied: “Jihaad against the heart (i.e. base self).”]

Removing the Doubts: Doubting the Kufr of a Kaafir?

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Introduction:

In the wake of recent events, the need was felt to clarify in brief some of the errors that some people have fallen into in regard to the correct `Aqeedah (Creed). It is being witnessed that whenever a famous personality from the Kuffaar dies, a large number of the Muslims are seen updating the status on their social networks to “RIP” (rest in peace) so-and-so. Others would be seen praising the kuffaar over and above the Muslims. Furthermore, some would be seen arguing that they were “righteous” and upon the “truth” and thus deserve good treatment or Paradise in the Hereafter.

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #10

Removing the Doubts: Who are the Muslims?

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Book of Prayer: Chapter: Facing the Qiblah in prayer

The disapproval of reciting the Qur'aan in less than 3 days

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Narrated Mujaahid from `Abdullaah bin `Amr: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said (to `Abdullaah): “Fast three days a month.” `Abdullaah said, (to the Prophet) “I am able to fast more than that.” They kept on arguing on this matter till the Prophet said, “Fast on alternate days, and recite the whole Qur’aan once a month.” 'Abdullaah said, “I can recite more (in a month),” and the argument went on till the Prophet said, “Recite the Qur’aan once each three days.” (i.e. you must not recite the whole Qur’aan in less than three days). [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1851) and Muslim (1970)]