Headlines about famine in certain parts of the world are distressingly frequent. At the same time, accounts of the rising occurrence of diabetes and obesity – due to overconsumption – in other (developed) parts of the world are also alarming.
The system of Allah ﷻ is such that there is enough food produced in the world to feed everyone. Still, one in nine people do not have enough to eat; that is 793 million undernourished people. (UNICEF). If one-quarter of the food currently lost or wasted could be saved, it would be enough to feed 870 million hungry people.
According to a recent report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), globally, nearly one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, equalling a total of 1.3 billion tonnes of food per year.
Why are we bombarding you with all these facts?
BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT!
There are many ways to tackle this abhorrent wastage of food, but in many ways it all starts with gratitude. Food is undoubtedly one of Allah`s greatest favours upon us. Allah ﷻ reminded the people of Quraish of His blessings in two basic matters of life; food and safety. Allah ﷻ said:
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَءَامَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍۭ
Who has fed them against hunger and made them secure against fear. [Quraish 106: 4]
In another verse, chapter number 80, Allah ﷻ asked us to reflect on how food was brought to us by Him as a means for our sustenance and enjoyment.
فَلْيَنظُرِ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِۦٓ
أَنَّا صَبَبْنَا ٱلْمَآءَ صَبًّا
Let man reflect on the food he eats, how We pour down rain in abundance…. [Abasa 80: 24, 25 …]
Allah ﷻ also speaks about the seas and how matters were made in it to also serve the need of people, including fish for consumption.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ ٱلْبَحْرَ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا
And He is the One Who has subjected the sea, so from it you may eat tender seafood… [Nahl 16: 14]
Because of all that which Allah has granted us of His blessings of food, we need to remember two basic things as we owe it to Him. ﷻ
One, we should always relate the provisions and blessings to Him alone and be Grateful to Allah, while remembering at the same time that we will be questioned regarding these bounties on the day of Qiyamah.
Abu Huraira RA reported: The Prophet ﷺ said,
قَالَ الطَّاعِمُ الشَّاكِرُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الصَّائِمِ الصَّابِرِ
“The one who eats gratefully has the status of one who fasts patiently.” [Tirmidhi 2486]
“إن الله ليرضى عن العبد أن يأكل الأكلة، فيحمده عليها، أو يشرب الشربة، فيحمده عليها”
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah is pleased with His slave who eats a meal and praises Him for it; and takes a drink and praises Him for it”. [Muslim]
Two, we should eat only what we need and not be wasteful. This is a demonstration of the appreciation of the blessing of food availability while others around the world might not enjoy the same blessing. Allah ﷻ said:
يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ خُذُوا۟ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
O Children of Adam! Put on your adornment (decent proper dress) when you attend your Masjid at the time of every prayer. Eat and drink, but do not be extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant. [A`raf 7:31]
Among other manners that are related to the blessing of food availability that Muslims should consider and remember, is remembering the less fortunate or your neighbours when you cook food. The prophet ﷺ told Abu Zar Al-Ghifari RA when he saw him cooking food, “Add more water to it so you can offer some extra food to your neighbours.” And in another Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said: “One who is blessed with food let him offer some to those who do not have any.”
Let us be grateful to Allah ﷻ that He made food available for us, and let us demonstrate that in simple words of thanks, for Allah ﷻ will be pleased with us. The Prophet ﷺ said: “One who eats something and says Al-Hamdulillah, Allah will be pleased with him.”
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