RE for Schools

Keystage 2 - Food & Drink in the Qur'an

Eating and drinking are the basic necessities for sustaining life. Islamic law does not prohibit the partaking of 'good' food. In the Qur'an,

The general criterion for food and drink being permissible is their being 'good'.

What is 'good' food and drink?
1.  The food must be obtained by lawful means. It is forbidden to eat any food which is obtained by stealing, and deceit.

2.  It must be halal which means permitted and not haram which means forbidden. Most fish   and all  vegetables are permitted, alcohol is forbidden and there are restrictions on meat. The following are some of the meats that are forbidden.
* All products from the pig
* Animals that eat other animals or excrement for food
* Animals and birds that died of themselves (not slaughtered)
* Animals which are strangled or stunned to death
* Animals which are killed for food without being slaughtered in the Islamic way.

3.  Alcoholic drinks, wine , beer, and all drugs which affect the brain are forbidden as well.

We will look at Honey, dates, figs and olives which are some of the foods mentioned in the Qur'an and are highly recommended  by the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) for healthy living.

HONEY

"And your Lord taught the bee to build it's hives in the hills, on trees and in what men build. Then to eat of all the fruits, and walk in the path of it's Lord submissively. From within their bodies issues a drink of varying colours, in which there is healing for men. Most surely there is a sign in this for those who reflect." Qur'an 16:68,69

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) recommended honey for the following:

i)  Curing depression.
ii)  Sharpening the memory.
iii)  As an eye salve for brightening one's vision.
iv)  As a preventative measure for a number of diseases.
v)  To cure acute indigestion (taken with hot water).

DATES

"And shake towards you the trunk of the palm tree, it will drop on you dates - fresh and ripe; So eat and drink and refresh the eye..."  Qur'an 19:25,26

When Mary felt the birth of Jesus approaching, she rested upon the trunk of a dead palm tree. As she leaned against the trunk, lonely and in pain, it suddenly became green spreading new leaves and bearing ripe fruit.
A voice told her to shake the palm tree and eat of the dates which would refresh her....

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) has recommended dates for:

i)  Instant energy (especially recommended for those suffering from low blood pressure).
ii) As an antidote against stomach bugs.

FIGS & OLIVES

"By the Fig and the Olive, and the Mount of Sinai, and this city of security (Makka); We have indeed created human beings in the best of moulds."                                                     Qur'an 95:1-4
Figs & Olives are mentioned in the Qur'an to identify their distinctive health benefits over other fruits.

Figs Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) recommended  them for several ailments including: i) Curing bad breath. ii) Strengthening bones. iii) Improving the growth of hair. iv) A cure for piles. v) A cure for general aches and pains.

Olives Olive oil had been recommended in several traditions of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) for: i) A cure for food poisoning. ii) Massaging the body. The leaves of the olive tree have been recommended for eczema, and other skin ailments.

RECIPE FOR DATE COOKIES

A recipe for instant energy:
1/2 lb  dry dates (pitted & chopped)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Chopped almonds  & pistachio nuts (optional)
A cupful of crushed corn flakes

Method
In a heavy based saucepan, melt the butter and add the chopped dates.
Stir until the dates are sufficiently softened and transfer to a bowl.
Add the chopped nuts and combine thoroughly.
Line a baking sheet with grease proof paper.
Place the date mixture on to it, patting it with the back of a spoon to even out.
Sprinkle the crushed corn flakes over the top.
Wait to cool, cut into squares for your instant energy cookies.