What Islam says about Health and Fitness?

Islam has put a great emphasis over healthy life because Islam believes that a person should be fit in terms of health in order to be at peace. Thus, by healthy lifestyle, people would be able to spend their lives in a proper and thoughtful manner. Islam has also paid a great focus on use of thinking in every aspect of life and so how is it possible that an unhealthy brain think properly? No! Therefore, a person should be fit emotionally and physically to live a better life.

Allah says in Surah Al-Araf, verse 31:

“O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful” [7: 31].

Importance of Fitness in Islam

Our beloved Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:

“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both” [Muslim].

The above hadith is indeed centrally talking on the strength of faith and character in a person; however, health and fitness are also equally recommended. This means that Muslims are obliged to take a good care of their spiritual, physical as well as emotional health.

Why we should Take Care of Our Health?

The reason of taking care of our body and health is that we all belong to Allah to whom we should return, and this body is given to us by Allah and we should submit this body one day to Allah. Hence, it is our duty to take care of these bodies which are given to us and we should submit these bodies in better conditions to Allah. Our bodies should not be neglected or abused in any way because bodies do not deserve such a bad treatment.

Halal Foods in Islam

Muslims are asked to eat only halal foods and there is also a scientific logic behind this. All kind of foods which are considered as halal foods are the healthiest meal. For example, chicken and meat is halal (permitted) which is highly rich in protein and on the other hand wine or whiskey or any kind of alcohol is haram (prohibited) because consumption of alcohol leads to major liver and heart diseases. Moreover, fruits and vegetables are halal which provides vitamins and carbohydrates to bodies and meat of dead animals are haram (prohibited) in Islam. The reason of making dead animals’ meat haram is that the meat could become a poison and lead to worsening humans’ health.

Allah says in Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 173:

“He has only prohibited for you carrion, blood, the flesh of swine and that upon which a name of someone other than ‘Allah’ has been invoked. Then, whoever is compelled by necessity, neither seeking pleasure nor transgressing, there is no sin on him. Verily, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful” [2: 173].

The above verse mentions some of the prohibited food in Islam upon Muslims. These foods are prohibited because of major reasons behind health and fitness concerns. However, since Islam is the easiest and forgiving religion, this is why Islam has allowed eating the prohibited food in conditions of emergencies or when a person dies of hunger and he or she has nothing to eat.

Allah has blessed people with so many Healthy Foods so that people may eat and stay healthy.