Prof. Dr. Yunahar Ilyas, Lc., M.Ag.
Professor of Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University, Deputy Chairperson of Indonesia Council of Ulama (MUI)
Consuming the halal, for those of us who believe, is clearly very important. So the halal preaching would also be very urgent, namely to remind and invite people to consume only the halal only and follow the guidance of religion. Especially when we consider the living conditions of the people, many of them do not seem to care about this very vital halal aspect. No less too lightly, or underestimate it. In fact, if you consume something that is not halal, no matter how small or a little size and its size, it will undoubtedly have a very significant impact. It even poses a huge danger.
As an example of a simple comparison, it is usual for drugs to be consumed in small sizes or in very small doses. Not to the size of a mouthful of rice. But the effect is huge. A human body weighing tens of kilograms, experiencing fever-heat, with medicine tablets of the milligram size, can turn cold. High blood pressure, resulting in whole body shivering, can be reduced, decreased, etc.
Ibroh, Lessons from a Mosquito
More specifically, let us examine the meaning of the word of God contained in the Surah Al-Baqoroh, with the following meaning: “Verily, Allah does not hesitate to make a parable in the form of a mosquito or lower than that. As for those who believe, then they believe that the parable is true of their Lord, but those who disbelieve say: “What does Allah mean to make this for parables?” With that parable, many people were led astray by God, and with that parable he gave many instructions. And there is none that deceives God except those who are wicked.” (Qur’an 2:26).
We know only how small the body size of a mosquito. It flew around us, with its distinctive ringing sound, and the bite or pricking of the tentacles made the skin ache and itch. According to research experts, in the tentacles of a very small mosquito, which is much smaller than a human hair, it turns out there are many germs that live and reproduce. Subhanallah, the body of a mosquito is so small. Especially the tentacles, almost invisible to the naked eye. And what’s more the size of the germs that live and breed in the mosquito’s tent! Certainly much smaller, micron-sized, one thousandth of a millimeter, and can only be seen with an electron microscope!
When a mosquito sticks a tentacle into a person’s body to suck blood, the germ of the disease contained in the tentacle can move, into the body and the bloodstream of the person whose blood is sucked by the mosquito. Many cases show how later the person becomes ill, which if left without proper treatment, can inevitably be fatal. The disease gets worse, or even lives are lost, without being prevented at all. Indeed, it turns out that many dangerous diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, causing immeasurable material losses, even to the point of falling victims. Such as: malaria, dengue fever (DHF), elephantiasis or filariasis, etc.
Notice how even though the mosquito is very small and fine, and much smaller and smoother disease germs found in the tentacles. But if the germs enter and invade the body, it can undoubtedly have a very dangerous effect. Especially if the size is large, of course the effect will be far more dangerous. Unpredictable!
Don’t Underestimate Sin, You Must “Zero Tolerance”
From the case of mosquitoes which is clearly explained in the verses of the Koran, we should be able to take lessons and lessons by making an analogy: how dangerous food is not halal, if it enters our bodies, no matter how small! Bacteria or germs from just micron-sized mosquitoes can pose such a danger. Moreover, food that is not halal, or illicit food, which is the size of a handful, enters our bodies.
In the Indonesian language, there is a popular proverb that states, “Because tilapia is a speck, broken milk sebelanga”. Note, how a drop / drop of tilapia or poison whose volume is less than 1 cc, when mixed with milk, undoubtedly can damage milk sebelanga whose volume can reach tens of liters. In another example, someone who is pecked by a poisonous snake can suffer extreme pain. It can even be fatal. Though it can or snake venom that enters the body of the snake pecked, it weighs less than one gram in size. But the impact, can make the whole body of people who weigh tens of kilograms so sick, and even died. Therefore, for those of us who believe, we must apply the principle of “Zero Tolerance” to unlawful food with all its derivatives. There can’t be the slightest tolerance!
The Prophet of Allah has reminded us with his meaningful hadith, “Fear you from underestimating sin.” (HR. Imam Ahmad).
In another hadith narrated from Anas, he said, “Verily, you are committing some deeds (sin) / thinking that it is thinner than hair. But we consider it in the time of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as something that destroys.” (Narrated by Bukhari no. 6492).
If it is stated that he thinks a sin is thinner than a hair, it is a sign of disparaging sin. Though something that is considered trivial like this, in the sight of God is so big. About this, also explained by Bilal bin Sa’ad a prominent ulama tabi’in: “Do not look at the small immorality, but look at how great (Allah) that you oppose” (see: Az-Zuhd, Ahmad p. 460; Hilyatul-Auliya ‘, Abu Nu’aim 5/223).
“A small sin can be great,” the fatwa of Imam Auza’i also, “if a servant considers him small and belittles him.” Something small, if it continues to be stacked and collected, then it will enlarge. A saying goes, “little by little it turns into a hill”. Likewise with sin, even though it is considered small, but if it continues to be repeated, then it also becomes a big sin. “It is not a small sin if done continuously,” said Ibn Abbas, “and is not a big sin if accompanied by repentance.”
Generally, repetition or habituation of sin begins with the attitude of disparaging sin. Because accustomed to working sins that are considered small, then satisfaction and pleasure arise in his soul. Obviously this is very dangerous. Imam Al-Ghazali in his famous book, Al-Ihya ‘states, “Including big sins is, feeling happy, happy and proud of sin.” Like people who are addicted to doing or enjoying something, including doing wrong. Like nicotine addiction, or even drugs, etc.
Every time a servant considers the sweetness of a sin, his immense immenseity and influence in blackening the heart become great. Because every time a person sins, there will be a black spot in his heart. This is stated in the verses of the Quran, “Not once (actually), actually what they are always trying to do (immoral acts or sins) will cover their hearts (become black dots).” (Surah Al-Muthoffifin, 84: 14)
In another verse, Allah has also reminded us with His glorious verse: “And whoever commits evil (sin) even as much as dzarrah, surely he will see (in return) as well.” (Qur’an, 99: 8)
From this verse, it can be understood, how a very small sin, as big as dzarrah, though, so that it might be underestimated, will surely be rewarded with incomparable punishment. Contemporary scholars explain, “dzarrah” is a very small object / material size. Some explained again, such as the size of an atom, or even smaller.
The examples of cases cited above are only physical material impacts or hazards. As for the impact from the mental-spiritual side caused by non-halal food, or from forbidden food, it is clearly far more dangerous. The danger certainly cannot be measured with material content. Especially when considering the threat from Allah for those who violate the rules of sharia, the impact includes the loss of the world until the end of time, and the eternal adversity of the eternal forever.
In the history explained, people who consume food that is not halal, or strictly eat illicit food, then the deeds of worship are not accepted by God, prayers are also not permitted, his life will never be calm. Always overwhelmed by anxiety and uncertainty. “Anyone whose body grows from (food) that is unclean, then the fire of hell is more worthy of burning it.” (Narrated by Ath-Thabrani).
Certainly far more dangerous if not halal food that enters the body is not just one or two bribes, but one plate, or even many plates. And for days we consume them continuously. Time after time. Especially if illicit food is also consumed not only by oneself, but also by children and families. So that our flesh and blood, children and families all grow, develop and contain substances that come from non-halal sources. Na’udzubillahi mindzalik! Though God has ordered us to consume halal food, and thus means we must avoid products or food that is not halal.
Believers who obey the guidance of Allah & His Prophet, including by consuming halal food, God willing, will save the world-hereafter: “Verily, Allah puts the believers and righteous deeds into jannah which flows underneath the rivers.” (Qur’an, 47: 12)
This needs to be emphasized again, because the impact of consuming non-halal food not only causes physical-material illness, but also mental-spiritual. And furthermore, the danger is not only felt in the mortal world, in the meantime, but also in the eternal afterlife, forever, later! Na’udzubillahi mindzalik. “And those who disbelieve have fun (in the world) and they eat like animals. And hell is where they live.” (Qur’an, 47:12).
Note the meaning of the verse, how the disbelievers who eat are called animals, partly because they do not care about the halal aspects of the food they consume. Haram continues to be hit. So because of consuming non-halal food, the further impact is getting tortured in hell! So clearly, we must consume only halal food, and must avoid all that is not halal, or that is forbidden by religion, in order to avoid the dangers of the world and the hereafter. (USM)
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