IMA Ladies Wing conducted “Sunnah Food preparation competition” on 22nd and 23rd Sep.2023.
With the purpose to revive the concept of consuming balanced and healthy diet as per Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, The Indian Muslim Association (IMA) Ladies Wing conducted ‘Sunnah Food preparation Competition’ across Kuwait. The benefits of developing eating habits, in accordance with the teachings (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), were discussed in this event. The event acted as a platform for nearly 47 ladies who participated in this cooking competition and presented their talent in preparing Islamic dietary meals. The event took place at various locations across Kuwait like Salmiya, Khaitan, Abbasiya and Mangaf.
Some of the cuisines prepared were Thareed, Talbina, Pumpkin halwa, date energy balls with Sesame Seeds, Dates and fig rolls, Nabees drinks etc. All cuisines were inspired from Sunnah foods.
The key speakers for this event were Dr. Riffat Bokhari, Dr. Saleha Mohsin, and Sister Farheen Asadullah.
They emphasized on how going back to the Sunnah way of consuming nutritious and antioxidant rich food is beneficial to the human body.
ثُمَّ كُلِي مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسۡلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلٗاۚ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٞ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ
أَلۡوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٞ لِّلنَّاسِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Then suck the juice of every kind of fruit and keep treading the ways of your Lord which have been made easy.” There comes forth their bellies a drink varied in colours, wherein there is healing for men. Verily there is a sign in this for those who reflect.
In a hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Quran is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you both remedies, the Quran and honey.
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death.”
Foods such as Pumpkins, Pomegranate, Beet root etc. are recommended by the Prophet (ﷺ) which provide good levels of antioxidants.
The two aspects for a healthy lifestyle were also discussed: one, that a person eats in accordance with the proportion their body requires. To this, she added a hadith that the Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized: ‘A human being fills no vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one third for food, one third for drink and one third for air.’” (Tirmidhī)
Humanity is addicted to poor quality food. People are becoming more and more unhealthy, dragged down by diseases such as diabetes or cancers because of the increased consumption of processed foods. Hence, by reviving this part of Islam and eating fresh, wholesome, pure, clean, and nutritious food one can hope to achieve a healthier, active lifestyle.
“So, eat from the halal (lawful) and tayyib (good) food which Allah has provided for you, and be grateful for Allah’s favours, if you truly worship Him alone.” (Surah An-Nahl, verse 114)
By merely following modern dietary plans which may deprive a person from necessary nutrients (like vegan style of living), people will not be able to achieve a balance in their diet. It is only by following the ‘Sunnah way’ of consuming food that one can strike a balance in their diet and save themselves from various diseases.
It is commonly known, that the Prophet’s diet consisted of dates, figs, grapes, milk, honey, olive oil, vinegar, watermelon, barley, squash, and many other vegetables.
The prophet’s wife Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to like sweet edible things and honey. (Bukhari)
Munching on biscuits, cakes and other processed food is also an unhealthy trend. Snack items are adored by everyone. But do they have any nutritional value? No. So, why not munch on ‘Sunnah foods’ instead. Why not have fruits, milk, and dry fruits when a person feels eager for a quick snack.
The speakers also emphasized on the benefits of water and how it does not receive the value it deserves in a diet plan.
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to eat melon with fresh dates, and he used to say: The heat of the one is broken by the coolness of the other, and the coolness of the one by the heat of the other.” (Abu Dawood)
In another hadith, Abdullah bin Ja’far said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to eat Qith’tha (wild cucumbers) with ripe dates.” (Tirmidhi)
Being health conscious and taking care of the body is an act of faith. Sunnah foods help to keep the body healthy internally and externally.
“Eat the olive oil and massage it on your hair and skin, for it comes from a blessed tree.” (Tirmidhi)
Towards the end of the program, ‘Pearls of Islam’ girls group presented a ‘Naat’ and speech emphasizing the importance of providing Islamic education to children.
Nearly 250-270 Ladies and Children were benefited from the lecture given by our Ladies Wing BUMS Doctors /Nutritionist and enjoyed the food distributed by Participants.
The program was concluded with the message that reviving the sunnah is not just about gaining health benefits in this world but also a part of achieving blessings in the hereafter. Prizes and certificates were distributed to all participants.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Know that whoever revives a tradition from my Sunnah if it has died out after me, he will have a reward like those who act upon it.” (Tirmidhi).
