Fatwa ID: 07758
Answered by: Maulana Nuski Cassim
Question:
Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu.
I hope you are well inshallah, and thank you for your efforts.
I am trying to only eat tayyib and wholesome food but sometimes I find it difficult to resist my nafs, which wants to eat junk food.
In the past, reading secular books and scientific books has given me useful knowledge with which to resist unhealthy foods. Is it a weakness of faith if these books are giving me more motivation than Quranic verses?
My underlying motivation for wanting to eat healthier is the Quranic guidance. But I am trying to use secular books to strengthen my resolve. Is this a weakness of faith or is it simply a good usage of the tools available to me?
Jazakumullah khair, may Allah reward you all handsomely in this life and the next. Inshallah.
Ma assalamah!
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Wa ‘alaykum al-salam rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
The Qur’an has come as guidance and instruction for mankind; explained and lived by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Though the Qur’an came with instructions for man, it did not however, come with comprehensive instructions and details on every single aspect of life—such as how to lead a specific dietary lifestyle.
Nonetheless, we find in the hadith traditions that the Prophet ﷺ was someone who was mindful of what he ate and the extent to which he ate. In addition to this, he was also very fond of sweets. As the saying goes, everything is in moderation.
With that said, it would not be from a weakness of faith that you find more motivation in secular books to eat healthier rather than [in] the Qur’an. It is from the strength of your faith that the Qur’anic guidance [on this matter] serves as the underlying motivation and catalyst for wanting to eat tayyib (pure) and wholesome food.
Furthermore, you’ve correctly stated that this is only a correct usage of the tools/information available to you.
الْكَلِمَةُ الْحِكْمَةُ ضَالَّةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَحَيْثُ وَجَدَهَا فَهُوَ أَحَقُّ بِهَا
Abu Hurairah (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The wise word is the lost property of the believer. Wherever he finds it, [then] he is more worthy of it.” – [سنن الترمذي، كتاب العلم، رقم الحديث ٢٦٨٧]
الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْجَزْ
Abu Hurairah (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both. Be eager regarding that which benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not become hopeless[…].’’ – [صحيح مسلم، كتاب القدر، رقم الحديث ٢٦٦٤]
Thus, in summary, there is nothing wrong with finding motivation in secular books pertaining to healthy and wholesome eating. And it is not a reflection of weak or misplaced faith.
May Allah ﷻ bless you for wanting to be more health conscious and may He ﷻ increase your firmness and ability in doing so. Ameen.
بارك الله فيك
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Nuski Cassim
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
