5 Unexpected Muslim Health Tips

Islam and health aren’t two things that seem to go hand-in-hand from the outside. Religion and physical wellness appear to be topics of two different worlds. 

For those who aren’t aware, Islam isn’t solely about focusing on the afterlife. The religion encourages healthy living with mindfulness. It’s a humble way of life that encourages gratitude in every action. Here are some examples.

Mindful eating

In this magical 21st century where big plates of takeout food can arrive at your doorstep within a single phone tap, it’s still best to not overeat. According to islamweb.net, 

“… the Prophet said: “No man fills a vessel worse than his stomach… If he has to [increase], he should keep a third [of his stomach] for food, one third for drink and one third for breathing.” [At-Tirmithi, Saheeh]

This quote means that we should never be so greedy with consummation. Keeping a third of your stomach for food, a third for water and a third for air is a metaphor to say that you should only eat until you’re no longer hungry, never stuffed. Despite the large servings with Ubereats and family gatherings, make eating a mindful activity. The Prophet Muhammed also said it’s best to eat together and share meals. Studies have shown that there is a direct linkage to lower obesity rates when eating together as opposed to eating alone. 

According to OECD.org, Canadians and Americans take approximately 1 hour for mealtimes, while the French and Italians take a little more than 2 hours. France and Italy also cook more and make eating and gathering an enjoyable experience as opposed to North Americans who chow down the nearest grab-n-go fast food. As a result, North Americans have a higher blood pressure and obesity rate compared to the Europeans. The Prophet Muhammed was right. Eat in sizable portions, eat together and enjoy food.

The holy month of Ramadan is a good example of fasting in order to control ourselves: and studies have proven that intermittent fasting is good for you. So families during Ramadan should take caution when feasting on lavish buffets after fasting. 

Foreplay is an essential part of sex

Yes, you read that right.

Sex with a loving partner is healing. Raw intimacy and trust is an important aspect of spirituality. Just as Hinduism coined the Kama Sutra: a sacred lifestyle book that has sections depicting types of sexual positions: Islam has its own sex-positive ideas too. 

Ali ibn Abu Talib, cousin of the prophet Muhammed said: “When any of you wants to sleep with his wife, he must not rush her for indeed women have needs too.”

Contrarily, in today’s pornified world, sex is often finished when the man ejaculates. In pop culture and in movies, the man rolls over and falls asleep while the woman is left feeling used like a ragdoll. This unhealthy sexual dynamic is good for nobody. Girls are taught that first-times are supposed to hurt. Where did that myth come from? 

The Prophet Muhammed equates sex without foreplay to animal behaviour: “When anyone of you has sex with his wife, then he should not go to her like birds; instead he should be slow and delaying.” 

This is a very tongue-in-cheek metaphor to not have intercourse like raging horny birds do. (If you have seen any scrambling chickens having sex: it’s not a very romantic sight!) Men must first and foremost pleasure women in the bedroom. 

The Prophet goes on to say, “Three people are cruel: …a person who has sex with his wife before foreplay”.

Sex should be lighthearted and fun. There is even a book called “The Muslimah Sex Manual: A Halal Guide to Mind Blowing Sex” that you can read.

Race your friends, be active and playful

That’s right: when Prophet Muhammed wasn’t busy with changing the world, he used to race his wife in the desert just for fun. He also encouraged sports like archery and horseback riding. There are also hadiths that say that he enjoyed speed walking. Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy spirit. It’s all about the mind-body-spirit alignment!

Lower your gaze

This doesn’t seem like much of a health tip but this is a tremendously underrated habit that can improve our mental health. In Islam, eyes are conisdered to be windows to the soul and whatever we feast our eyes upon, it has an impact to our heart. When men or women witness something sexually or materially appealing, it is best to lower the gaze and look away. In the obvious sense: it’s to avoid temptation and jealousy. 

“Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is acquainted with what they do.” (Surat An-Nur [verse 30])

So the next time you scroll past an ex or an Instagram model’s post, it is best to look away before feelings of temptation, inadequacy, resentment or self-pity slowly eat you away. It takes a lot of self-discipline, but your mental health will thank you later. You don’t need to look at things that are harmful to your psyche.

Hygiene

To be clean is vital. Long before bacteria and cavities were understood, Prophet Muhammed brushed his teeth and encouraged cleanliness, stating: “Cleanliness is half of faith”. Muslims must make wudhu (rinse hands, mouth, nose, face, ears, arms and feet) each time before they pray, and must maintain cleanliness at all times. 

To make it a little more interesting for you: there is something called the “Lota” which looks like a water can that many south asian Muslims use after urinating or defecating. To be honest, toilet paper doesn’t completely wipe everything away, but the lota does a really good job at rinsing off residue… If you know what I mean. Make sure you wash your hands after. 
 

• culture
• Muslim
• race