Around the world, people choose to eat or avoid certain foods depending on their religious belief. Some beliefs have been followed for centuries and are.

Around the world, people choose to eat or avoid certain foods depending on their religious belief.

Some beliefs have been followed for centuries and are well established as part of life.

A healthy and varied diet is important for good health.

These include:

to communicate with God (e.g. saying thanks and blessing);

to demonstrate faith through following religious rites concerning diets;

to develop discipline through fasting.

Islam is a code of life.  Muslims do not practice only during the weekends or festive seasons; rather religion is an ongoing part of daily life.  Islam is organized in a spiritual and moral way, taking into account humankind’s innate needs and desires. 

The tenets of Islam are derived from the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, known as the Sunnah,  These two sources of revelation are a guide, or a manual for life.

God has bestowed on humans his blessings, both hidden and apparent. Of these blessings the greatest is that of health.

Islamic life styles embrace numerous positive patterns promoting health and rejecting any behaviour which is contradictory to health. As such Islam have many constructive ideas to offer in the field of health care and medical practice.

In Islam the concept of health as demonstrated in Quran and Sunnah (Prophet’s hadith and practices) is that Mankind should be sound mentally, physically and socially

The conventional definition of health being the absence of any manifestation of disease and believing that health is a state of complete physical , mental and social well-being

Islam deems this to be a necessary component of faith and of islamic law.

Muslim narrated from Abu Huraira: The Prophet peace be upon him said: "The strong believer is better and dearer to God than the weak believer

Islam has laid down the foundation in Quran and Sunnah for the best

approach of balanced health .This approach is mainly through selection of the best, preventive methods, and staying away from harmful things.

The main ideas of Islam relating to nutrition and health will be presented

through this course God willing .

The important principal in Islam is that the food we consume will have a direct effect on not only our physical bodies but also our souls.

Allah asked every one to eat what is lawful. Allah says in surah Al-

Baqarah: ا ” 4 8 ط6ي 6ـ ل ض> ح6

6 أ D م>مAا ف>ى Gوا Gل AاسG ك لن Mه6ا ي6 O8أ 6ـ ��ي ب ل ر� رل ٱ ٱ

” That is means “Ye people eat of what is on earth lawful and wholesome” (Quran 2:168)

Muslims are to eat the best food after selecting. Allah says in Quran in surah Al-A’raf

ر>ف>ين6” Gم Mح>بG AهG  ال6 ي >ن ر>فGوO إ G D و6ال6 ت Gوا ب ر6 D و6 Gوا Gل ر� و6ڪ رل ٱ ۥ ا�‌ ر� ر� “ٱ That is means“Eat and drink , but waste

not excess, for Allah loves not the prodigals” (Quran 7:31)

Muslims are selecting the best quality of food .Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al Kahf:

ا M 6ي 6نظG أ ي 6ة> ف6 م6د>ين >ل6ى 8ذ>ه> إ G ه6ـ >و6ر>ق>ك Gم ب 6ح6د6ڪ D أ GوOا ع6ث ہ�ف6 ر� رل رل ٱ ۦ ر� ر� ٱGه >ر> م4 Gم ب >ڪ ت 6 ي ا ف6 6ى8 ط6ع6ا ك 6 ر�أ �� ب ر� �� ر رل �� ب ر�

“ Now send ye then one of you with the money of yours to the town : let him find out which is the best food (to be

had)”…)Quran 18:19

Islam demands from its followers the idea of total Abstinence of food and drinks for one whole month from dawn

to sunset .

Dates andDates and pregnancy Dates may be considered as an almost

ideal food, providing a wide range of essential nutrients and potential health benefits.

The sugar content of ripe dates is about 80%; the remainder consists of protein, fat and mineral products including copper, sulphur, iron, magnesium and fluoric acid.

Dates are high in fiber and an excellent source of potassium.

It is also believed to be of benefit to pregnant women. In Surah Maryam, Allah provided Maryam (peace be upon her), the mother of Prophet ‘Eesa (peace be upon him), with dates when she was experiencing discomfort and pain during the final stages of her pregnancy.

that means “And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm- tree It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you. (Surah Maryam: 25)

��ا � ب �ن �ہ ��ا ب ہ ر� ن" ر� ہ# ہ$ ر% ن& ـ' ہ( ر* ن+ ہ# ر, �� ہ ٱل ن. ر/ ن0 ن1 ن" ر� ہل ن2� ى3 ز5 ر7 ��ا ہ8 � ب �ن �ہ ��ا ب ہ ر� ن" ر� ہ# ہ$ ر% ن& ـ' ہ( ر* ن+ ہ# ر, �� ہ ٱل ن. ر/ ن0 ن1 ن" ر� ہل ن2� ى3 ز5 ر7 ہ8

Dates is good for women during pregnancy and delivery as well as for breast feeding mothers because it is rich in iron and calcium which provide a good replacement for he depleted nutrients during pregnancy, delivery or lactating.

Dates are also high in energy source as it has 70-80% of its content as simple carbohydrates.

studies have shown “dates contain certain stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last few months of pregnancy.” This would then assist in the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery.