Food and Human temperament
By the grace of Allah I
continue to answer the questions on ‘pork’ that I received last week and I
answered a lot of those questions, and today
Insha-Allah, I will continue on the same subject to see a little on the
immoral side which is sprouted by the consumption of this type of animal.
First, let us get the
truth straight out that man is composed of body, mind and soul. The brain, the
seat of the mind (with all its functions of thought, feelings and other
psychological aspects) is a part of the body and takes its food as one of those
parties. At any time, thousands of cells in our body get depleted and are used
to operate the complex machinery of the body; food is used to replace these
dead cells. Food particles become part of the body, part of which goes to the
brain.
It is commonly known
that food has an effect on the health of the body. But few people realize that
it has an effect on the brain (hence the mind) as well. Healthy food obtained
through legitimate means and consumed with a peaceful conscience, has good
effects on both health of body and mind. But unhealthy food, or food taken at
the time of emotional distress, harm to the body and spirit.
The 'cultures' of Pork
The pig is an animal
such that even in countries where its flesh is a highly regarded consumer good,
its name means a dirty person, a thug, a sensual, and a glutton. The word ‘pig’
is synonymous with evil and degenerate. This is because the pig
is sensual and impudent. People who eat pork are gradually influenced by its
inherent sensuality; and when this trend influences minds, impudence becomes
common rule; modesty and honesty become outmoded ideas that are deviated from
the cult of sensuality and perversion.
A question may arise,
how can you prove that pork creates impudence? Well! Look at any
country in Europe, America, etc. where pork is a common food; then look at
their morals; Take a look at any newspaper and you will find scary headlines.
The
exchange of wives and concubines, commonly called “Swinging” or “The Lifestyle”
is the modern sexual phenomenon. The Western world is sex drunk. “Swingers” is
the term used by both married and unmarried couples who participate in groups (with
married couples also) to some moments of pleasure (orgies) where husbands or
partners share their women (wives or otherwise) – undressed – on a bed. The
list of these headlines is long, disgusting and it’s not good to pronounce all
this in a Friday Sermon.
Those headlines are
truly shocking and we must vigorously condemn this permissive society. But what
has it to do with pork? Let us divide the
regions of the world into two groups: pork consumers and non-consumers of pork;
then look at what regions such shameful conduct is dominant. In areas of pork
consumers, you will find Europe and the United States and it is in Europe and
the United States you will find such licentiousness, not in the non-pork
consumers regions.
There is a big
difference between the two regions. When a woman in an Islamic country indulges
in infidelity, she is ashamed and does not want that her parents, neighbours
and friends know about it. When a woman in a pork-consuming country, becomes
unfaithful, she feels no guilt or shame, because society glorifies her actions
as an art.
Some women take off
their clothes to the last string and wander naked on stage, and they are called
‘artists’. This is, in fact, the
difficulty of the problem. In swine consuming countries, impudence, infidelity
and public displays of sex is glorified as art: sociologists, doctors and
psychologists in these countries as professionals deem adultery, promiscuity
and sexual perversions respectable, justifying such things on biological
grounds. For them, man is just like any other animal. It was at this ‘impudence’
that I was referring: it exists only in pork consuming societies. What more evidence do
you want? These societies degrade man to the level of wild beasts. Pork
transforms man into pig. (Inset: Spencer Tunick is an
American photographer best known for organizing large-scale nude shoots. Since
1994 he has photographed over 75 "human installations" around the world, including at Mexico City featured above).
Muhammad (sa), the Great Role Model
To distinguish and
classify the personalities of the world, not only their contribution to their
country is to be considered, but especially at the level of the individual, the
importance they attach to human values and their contribution to the advancement of humanity.
In this competition which could be open to all men and all women in power in
the world, the candidate must meet the following criteria: a repository of
moral and religious values and to present himself as a model of excellence. Be
endowed with great intelligence and have ambition for the human race without
exception. Have a beautiful face and a popular figure to be accepted as leader
by everyone.
(He must) Have patience, be
articulate and attentive to the words of others. Have as much courage to face
the enemy alone, if necessary. Be both protective of his disciples and
understanding vis-à-vis their weaknesses. Be a visionary and adopt a principle
of fairness for his own people and for foreigners. Be tolerant, kind and take
the burden of others. Be wise and humane like a father and mother. Be a real
man with physical strength to ensure the provisions of his family and lead with
firmness and courage. Have compassion for the weak, children and thus act with
moderation and justice vis-à-vis animals. And above all, not vainly hurt men by
usurping their land and their property. Be generous with smile and goodness.
Forgive the murderers of his family and those who try to poison him. Overcome
and suppress a revolt or attempted revolt without bloodshed. Not unnecessarily
use force and not to lie, even in extreme cases. Be honest, be hospitable and fulfil
his responsibilities. Also, be chosen by God and be proclaimed master of men.
Among the men and women
who have existed in the history of mankind no one could get to reunite in him
or her all these values except the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh). Consider the value of his pure and noble ancestry. He did not
choose his parents. It was predestined. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah has chosen Kinana from children of
Isma’il, and then chose Quraish and finally chose me from Banu Hashim.” (Muslim)
His genealogy according
to researchers is this: Muhammad the Messenger of God, son of Abdullah, son of
Abdul Muttalib, son of Hashim, son of Qusayy, son of Kilab, son of Murrah, son
of Ka’b, son of Luayy of the lineage of the Prophet Ismail, son of Prophet
Ibrahim. His ancestry is free from any relationship of adultery or incest.
Abdullah the father of the Prophet (pbuh) was famous for his purity and
morality. He died during a business trip in Medina leaving behind a pregnant
wife. And this is the Qureish who will remain the most noble to the end of the
world. The Prophet (pbuh) said about this: “The
guidance of religion will remain among the Qureish even if it remains only two
of them.” (Bukhari).
It is narrated on the
authority of Muslim that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “I would be the chief of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgement;
I would be the first out of his grave, the first to intercede and the first
intercessor to have his intercession accepted”.
Hazrat Jabir describes
the physical features of the Prophet (pbuh): “The Prophet was of medium height, broad shoulders with long hair till
the earlobes ... I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful.” (Shamail).
The tolerance showed of
the Prophet was such that he had forgiven the man who had killed his daughter.
He had forgiven Wahsi, the same man who killed his uncle Hamza. After the
Meccans rejected him and wanted to kill him, the day of the conquest of Mecca,
he announced: “You are free, there is no
reproach against you today.” The character of the Prophet was to perfection
that even the Quran says: “And you’re
certainly of eminent morality.” (68: 5). During the war of Uhud,
the Prophet (pbuh) fell into the trap set by his enemies and was wounded. But
he replied with: “Oh Allah, forgive my
people, because they do not know that I am a prophet.” (Tabrani).
His honesty was such
that even the people of Makkah knew they could count on his integrity. On the
eve of emigration, the prophet put Ali in his place to return the things he had
in his custody (Ruhul Ma’ani). In short, all the qualities were found in the
prophet (pbuh).
I quote the statement
of Lamartine, “If greatness of purpose,
smallness of means, and astounding results are the three criteria of human
genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with
Muhammad? ... This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples,
dynasties, millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; , he moved
over the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and souls...”
(History of Turkey, Vol. II)
Allah Ta’ala sent him as
a blessing for all mankind and as a beacon of guidance for his followers.
“Certainly there is
for you an excellent example (to follow) in the life of the Messenger of Allah
(Muhammad (pbuh)).” (33:
22).
God sent us a perfect
model who taught us how to act in all circumstances. And He sent us a holy book
that contains the original teachings of all the world’s religions and prophets
to guide man to the preservation of a healthy body, mind and soul. It is for us
humans of all religions to keep the commandments that God sent so that we build
a moral and spiritual society able to maintain despite the passage of time and
customs. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
-Extracts from the Friday Sermon of April 17, 2015 delivered by the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.