By: Dra. Hj. Mursyidah Thahir, M.A.
Member of the MUI Fatwa Commission,
Lecturer at the Institute of Al-Qur’an Sciences, Jakarta
In Islam, performing the obligatory acts of worship, the first foundation must be consuming halal food. Good harvest comes from the good seeds.
The food consumed will produce energy for body movement, as well as grow and replace damaged limb cells. The islamic scholars explain halal food will produce body energy for halal activities as well, or the activities that have the value of worship, following the guidance of Allah, and as the guidance from Prophet Muhammad. Likewise, body cells that grow and are replaced from damaged ones will be easily moved to lawful charity activities, as worship that is blessed by Allah. Conversely, if the food consumed comes from the haram, then the activities are haram, such as comitting immoral acts and sins that are prohibited in Islam, and unwill to perform in activities that have worship value.
The Prophet Muhammad said, “Every body that grows from (food)haraam, then the fire of hell is superior to him (more worthy of burning it).” (HR. At-Thabrani). The hadith explains that people who consume what is haram, their actions tend to be haram as well, immorality which is prohibited by religion, as explained.
Halal food can beviewed from two sides. First, from the food substances contained in it. For that, it is necessary to examine the halal certification process. All of the materials used, equipment and processing, must be halal and free from haram materials, and in accordance with sharia. Second, lawful from how to get or obtain it. That is how to find sustenance, it must be lawful too. Not allowed in a way that is prohibited such as stealing, manipulation, and corruption.
Allah has commanded in the Qur’an,“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. He only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know.” (QS. Al-Baqarah, 2: 168-169).
In another verse it is explained that consuming what is not halal has a direct effect. Once a person consumes what is haram, for example, khamar, it is very likely that his actions are like following in the footsteps, the actions of the devil. “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between your animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So, will you not desist?” (QS. Al-Maidah, 5: 90-91).
In fact, a lot of evidence show people who are drunk, have a damaged mind, even lose their mind. As a result, because of khamar and drugs, it often happens, the doers do not hesitate to commit crimes; stealing, robbing, raping, and even killing people sadistically. Obviously, that was a cursed act of Satan. Na’udzubillahi min dzalik.
Fasting during Ramadan is an obligatory worship for Allah. It is a self-training to refrain from consuming food and drink and sexual relations between husband and wife, which are actually lawful, from dawn to dusk. Thus, against what is forbidden by religion must be avoided even more. It is an effort and a process to achieve the Taqwa as mentioned by Allah in the Qur’an, by fasting which is practiced: La’allakum tattaquun. Performing fasting in order to be safe and get the pleasure and blessings of Allah, in the world to hereafter.
Allah has given His words through the Holy Qur’an,“But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination,t hen indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge.” (QS. An-Naazi’aat, 79: 40-41).
Thus, household management, educating children, and grandchildren who are the smallest units in community life, must refer to Taqwa, as referred to in the verse: “And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.” (QS. Al-Furqaan, 25:74).
The value ??of Taqwa that have been inculcated and trained during the month of Ramadan must be maintained consistently, fully committed, or called istiqomah. (USM)
