In this modern era, the appearance and ideal body shape has become one of the assets to note, because it can not be denied that the appearance and body shape to support one’s self-confidence.
Sometimes the ideal body and proportional appearance are also taken into consideration in getting a job. Many companies already set the standards of body shape and appearance in the recruitment of their employees. (Read How to Dress up for Men According to Islam)
Therefore, not a few people who want to shrink or lose their weight or so-called diet, to be looked ideal and have a good appearance and most who do that is the women. However, not infrequently also the men also do dietary activities. (Read Eating Habits in Islam)
Then how the law of diet according to Islam?
Diet According to Islam
In the Islamic diet is not only done to beautify the body shape to look attractive and beautiful, but also to maintain one’s health and to make it easier in finding clothes. (Read Rules for Women’s Dress) People who have excessive weight tend to experience several diseases, such as heart disease, shortness of breath, cholesterol, obesity and others.
Therefore in Islam is allowed to do diet, but the right way according to the way of diet in Islam, healthy way of life of Rasulullah, and follow the healthy tips of Rasulullah.
Here are some ways that a diet is safe for health and allowed in Islam :
- Always Consuming Halal, Healthy and Nutritious Foods
As a Muslim it is a must for us to consume halal food according to Islam and also halal beverages in Islam. And Allah SWT. has also ordered his servant to eat food that is allowed in Islam, as Allah says in (al-Baqarah Surah: 168) :
“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.” (al-Baqarah Surah: 168)
Allah commands his people to consume halal food because every food that comes into our body will be processed and digested by the body, then provide certain functions through the content of nutrients and vitamin of those foods, which then will affect our bodies. So food is not just to eliminate hunger, but also to contribute to survival. (Read The Law of Throwing Left-over food in Islam)
2. Eat enough and not excessive
Excessive eating will undoubtedly make us lose control in controlling appetite and we can certainly increase the weight. Therefore in Islam it is recommended that we eat before we are hungry and stop before we are full. [AdSense-B]
In a hadith Rasulullah SAW. said :
“It is not that the children and the grandchildren of Adam fill the worse containers of their stomachs. Actually, some bribes were enough to raise his ribs. If he has to fill it, then fill it 1/3 for food, 1/3 to breathe, and 1/3 to breathe. “(Narrated At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Muslim)
In the hadith it is said that the human stomach is the worst container. And the maximum limit in filling the stomach is 1/3 of the food, 1/3 of the beverages and the another 1/3 of oxygen to breathe.(Read Rules of Drinking Water in Islam). And in (QS Al-A’raaf verse 31) Allah SWT. said:
“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink,but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those commit excess.”
3. Not Sleep After Eating
Sleeping after eating will only make calories and fat getting buried in the body. To burn or reduce excessive calories and fats in the body is required active activity. Rasulullah SAW. during his life always do many activities after eating, such as dhikr, prayer, and others. [AdSense-C]
4. Do Many Fasting Sunnah and Performing Compulsory Fasting
As a Muslim we are required to perform the obligatory fasting service during Ramadan, and it is recommended to do sunnah fasting besides Ramadan.
Fasting will not only train the passions and patience, but also to cleanse and rest our stomach from the process of food processing and digestion. Doing a sunnah or obligatory fasting can be one alternative way to diet in Islam.
And one thing to keep in mind, we should not emphasize the intention of fasting because want to diet in order to have a good body, but we must intend to do fasting because that is to get the pleasure of Allah SWT. (Read How to do Ramadhan fasting for the first time)
Thus, diet according to Islam is permissible, but it must be according to the sources of Islamic law and not to violate the rules and violate Islamic law.
As a good and obedient Muslim we must know what are permissible in Islam and which are prohibited, so that we avoid the wrath of Allah SWT. That’s all. Hope this article is useful.
You may also read : Rules for Eating in Islam