Allah The Almighty says (what means): “And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers” [Quran 51:55]
Acting upon this verse, we would like to remind our honorable Muslim brothers and sisters that one of the many bounties from Allah that necessitate showing (practical) gratitude and appreciation, is that of food which we desire and find readily available. How many a person desired food but could not find it, and how many a time people found food but could not eat it.
We should be thankful to Allah Who granted us various types of foods and drinks to the point that we can be creative and innovative in the manner we prepare and serve them.
However, this should not make us forget that these are bounties which many people take for granted and are heedless of the fact that they are actually bounties. It should also not make us forget our Muslim brothers and sisters who were tested with the hardship of hunger and thirst, both in our era and in the early generations.
Let us always remember our beloved Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) who had to tie two rocks around his stomach due to extreme hunger during the period of the oppressive siege that was imposed on him sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) and his followers, may Allah be pleased with them, by the Makkan people.
Let us not forget that the houses of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) would not have cooking fire lit in them for two consecutive months, and all they (he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) and his family members, may Allah be pleased with them) had to eat was dates and water.
One of the ways to perfectly reflect gratitude for the bestowed bounties is to stay within the Islamic boundaries and adhere to the Islamic measures and criteria set forth by Allah.
We should be very careful not to be extravagant in the issue of cooking, especially during this blessed month. Allah says (what means):
“And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.” [Quran 6:141]
“And eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” [Quran 7:31]
Let our role model always be our Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) who guided us not to be excessive with respect to food and not to overeat and to only consume what our bodies need.
Let us be mindful of the fact that eating is not an objective in itself, but rather a means to strengthen our bodies in order to better worship Allah and serve His religion.
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