IT never ceases to amaze me every time I hear about so-called “modern medical discoveries” that have already been practiced by Muslims for centuries. Countless times I hear health tips on Oprah Winfrey's show that are exactly what Islam has taught its followers to do. We are constantly reminded that Islam, as a way of life, can prevent disease, promote better health, and improve your emotional well-being. Islamic tradition has a lot to offer the world of health and nutrition. The number one rule of nutritionists today is not to eat unless you are truly hungry. Over 1,400 years ago the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his companions, “We (Muslims) are a people who do not eat unless we are hungry, and if we eat we do not become fully satiated.” This piece of advice can help anyone battling weight gain. When you feel the urge to grab a cookie, stop and ask yourself if you are physically hungry. Eating out of boredom or as an outlet for bottled up emotions and overeating lead to weight gain. Islam encourages moderation in all matters, even in worship. You are not required to stand in prayers all night long because your body needs rest and your family has the right to spend time with you. Likewise, Islam preaches moderation in eating. Overeating put the digestive system under stress resulting in indigestion, flatulence, heartburn, and weight gain. A diet too low in calories can cause nutrient deficiencies, fatigue, hair loss, anemia, and skin problems. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) frowned upon sleeping after meals. Now we know that this can impair digestion, cause heartburn, and leave you feeling sluggish. Islam also educates us on the ideal form of infant nutrition. The Holy Qur'an instructs women to breastfeed their infants for around two years. Recently, many women have started to rely heavily on artificial infant milk powder. As a result, the World Health Organization has urged women to exclusively breastfeed their babies for at least one year. Pediatricians report that breast-fed babies experience fewer ear infections, decreased rate of sudden infant death syndrome, higher IQ, and are less likely to become obese later in life. In addition, studies show that women who have breast-fed have a 20 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who did not. The prohibition of alcohol in Islam is definitely a health advantage. Heavy drinking of alcoholic beverages damages the liver and increases the risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver, and breast. Alcohol interferes with the absorption of B vitamins needed by the brain. Therefore, heavy alcohol consumption slows the brain's function. Indeed, each of Islam's commands is actually a mercy for mankind and preserves our health. The benefits are not limited to your physical health, but Islam also boosts your emotional health and lifts your soul. Meditation is an excellent relaxation technique recommended by Western psychologists to alleviate stress and illness. Muslims are instructed to meditate in prayer five times a day. If we really concentrated our mental and spiritual powers and communicated with God in our five daily prayers, what burden would be too heavy to carry? Train yourself to change your way of thinking and always see the silver lining on the cloud. Look at these real life examples: u You fail an exam in a college course. Negative reaction: You tell yourself, “I am a failure. I will fail at everything in my life and never find a job.” Positive reaction: “I failed only one test. I will study harder and get a higher grade next test.” u You get stuck in a traffic jam. Negative reaction: You honk your horn, curse the driver ahead of you and yell, “It's going to be a terrible bad day! Bad things always happen to me!” Positive reaction: You play a tape of the Holy Qur'an or an audio novel or lecture on a topic that interests you. u Your five-month-old baby keeps you up for the fourth night in a row and thinks that one o'clock after midnight is playtime. Negative reaction: You grumble, ignore your baby's coos and regret having kids in the first place. Positive reaction: You remind yourself that Allah greatly rewards a mother for her sleepless nights and that this is only a temporary phase in your baby's life that will soon pass. Muslim scholars traditionally used to say that talking too much, sleeping too much, and eating too much weaken the body. And four things that bring serenity to the heart are looking at greenery, listening to flowing water, seeing a loved one and gazing at fruits hanging upon trees.
