10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (5)

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10-Islamic-Manners-on-the-Dining-Table Prayers to be recited at the time of eating

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), when food is laid on the floor-cloth or the food tray is brought, thousands of angels descend from heaven and surround the food. When those who start their food say ‘Bismillah’, the angels pray to God to send His blessings on the eaters and to increase their daily bread and order Satan to leave them alone as he is the one who broke the law of God and therefore he cannot join them.

And when after having eaten, the eaters say ‘Alhamdolillah’, then the angels say that these people are among the thanks-givers as they have thanked God for the good food He has given them. If they do not say Bismillah while eating, then they invite Satan to have food with them and if they do not say ‘Alhamdolillah’ when they have eaten their food, then the angels remark that these people are those who are not satisfied with what good food God has given them for they have forgotten to thank God for the blessing; as such they are the cursed.

According to a reliable tradition a person complained to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) that he is always harmed when he takes a certain type of food. The Imam (a.s.) said that perhaps the man did not say Bismillah. But the man said that he did. At that the Imam (a.s.) replied that perhaps he talked while taking food and did not recite Bismillah when he restarted taking his food and that was the cause of his suffering from pain, and advised him to say Bismillah again when he restarted his food after talking.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), one should remember God while eating and should not talk too much as the food is a blessing of God and when one consumes that blessing, then it is time to praise and thank God.

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (4)

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10-Islamic-Manners-on-the-Dining-Table

Complete etiquette of having food
It is Sunnat to eat with the right hand and sit on the knees. No food should be taken while lying or relaxing but one can rest on the left hand while having food as there is no harm. It is wrong to squat while eating and worse to put one foot over the other. Eating alone is Makrooh (abominable). It is Sunnat to eat with servants and slaves – sitting on the ground. It is a popular belief among Ulema that one should not eat while walking and that it is Sunnat to wash the hands before and after the meal and not to dry them on a towel.

Certain Ulema are of the opinion that one should not eat with people who take Haram (non-permissible) food or perform Haram (non-permissible) act. Even to sit on a table set for them is Haram. It is also Haram to sit and eat with those people who lie about Muslims and blame them of performing non-permissible deeds. To taste salt before and after the meals is Sunnat.

Another reliable tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) states that a man who sits on the table with drunkards is cursed.

According to many of the reliable traditions, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has prohibited the use of left hand for having food except when a person is forced to or whose right hand is diseased.

Another tradition prohibits eating while lying on one’s stomach, relaxing or resting.

According to a tradition from Hasan, one day Ibad-e-Basari, a noted Sufi and Sunni scholar visited Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) while he was having food. Imam (a.s.)’s left hand rested on the ground. Ibad said to Imam (a.s.), “Aren’t you aware that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has stopped us from resting our hand on the ground?” The Imam (a.s.) lifted his hand a little and rested it back again. Ibad commented again. The third time the Imam (a.s.) replied that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has certainly not prohibited the resting of the left hand while having food.

A tradition states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to eat only from what was in front of him. He used to sit as one sits in the state of Tashahud while praying. The right foot used to be on the left and the back of the right foot used to meet with the front of left. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) used to say that he was a creature who was like others and sat among them.

According to Hazrat Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), when a person can use his right hand for eating, it is Makrooh to use the left hand.

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), one should not eat while walking, except when forced.

Many reliable traditions from Ahle bait and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) state that if a person wants his house to be blessed then he should wash his hands before every meal. Washing of one’s hands after taking the meal stops poverty and body pains.

Another tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) explains the etiquette of washing hands. Before the meal, the host should wash his hands first, followed by the guests and there may be no lapse of time between the washing of hands and having the meal. However, at the close of the meal, guest seated on the left of the host should wash his hands first followed accordingly by the other guests so that the turn of the host comes last. It is compulsory and obligatory for the host to wait with patience until all the guests have washed their hands.

Another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.) states that when one washes one’s hands before the meals one should not dry it but keep it wet for the food is blessed as long as the hands are wet.

It is narrated in a reliable tradition that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) asked Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to have salt before and after the meals; for, a man who takes salt before and after the meal is saved from seventy types of curses and a major of them is leprosy.

A tradition from Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) says that salt is the cure for seventy diseases and if people will come to know the advantages of salt, they will not use any other cure except salt. The Imam (a.s.) also said that God asked Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) to order his followers to have salt before and after the meals and if the order was not obeyed they will be encircled with troubles and at that time they will curse themselves.

Another tradition advises one to have vinegar before meals as it sharpens one’s brains. A tradition states that Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) had said that he took salt before and after the meals.

Yaser, the servant of Imam Reza (a.s.) states that the Imam (a.s.) used to call the young and old and even all the servants before sitting for the meals and make these people sit with him.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) commands us to take off socks and shoes before taking meals as; besides being the best of Sunnat, it is very comfortable for us.

A reliable tradition states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), while having food with congregation, used to order the guests to start the food early and to finish late or at leisure so that they may be able to eat more.

It is narrated in a reliable tradition that Sama bin Mahran asked Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) what he should do first when the time for food and prayers collide. The Imam (a.s.) asked him to have his meal first if the time for prayer was there, but if having food will cover the precious time for prayer, then he should pray first and take his meal later.

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (3)

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time-to-eatWays and timings of eating

It is Sunnat (recommended – optional) to eat early in the morning and be without food for the whole day and then have food for a second time after Isha prayers. The morsel should be small, the food should be chewed properly, while eating one should not stare at anyone and should not take very hot food. One should not cool the food by blowing with the mouth instead, let the food remain for some time till it cools. One should not cut the bread with knife and should not completely empty the bones. At least three fingers should be used to hold the morsel, and when quite a few people are eating in one plate, one should not put the hand in front of the other’s section. The plate and fingers should be completely cleaned. It is Makrooh (detestable) to eat in the state of Janabat. The rigidity of order is relaxed if one performs Wuzu or washes hands, gargles and puts water in the nose or simply washes hand and face and gargles. It is stated in a tradition that one may suffer from the disease of white spots if he neglects the above direction.

According to a reliable tradition, the nephew of Shahab went to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) complaining of stomach ache and heaviness of bowels. The Imam (a.s.) asked him to eat only two times – day and night – for God has said the same in the praise of food in Heaven.

‘(For those whose abode is Heaven), they will get their food already prepared both the times, morning and evening.’[3]

According to another tradition, a person who does not eat in the evening gets old, and old people should eat a little before going to sleep that they may be able to sleep. This will also cause good breath in the mouth and the person will grow more polite.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), any person who wants that the food should not harm him should not eat until his bowels are clear and he feels very hungry. When he begins his food, he should recite ‘Bismillah’. The food should be chewed and when there is a little bit of hunger left to be appeased, then one should stop eating.

According to Hazrat Imam Hasan (a.s.) twelve points should be kept in view about food by every Muslim. Four are compulsory, four are Sunnat (optional) and four are about manners.

The compulsory ones are:

  1. a)      Knowing one’s ‘Giver’
  2. b)      To know that all that we have is from God and be satisfied with the food He gives
  3. c)      Saying ‘Bismillah’
  4. d)      Thanking God.

The Sunnat are:

  1. a)      To wash hands before eating
  2. b)      To sit by keeping one’s weight to the left side
  3. c)      To eat with at least three fingers
  4. d)      To lick the fingers.

The manners of eating are:

  1. a)      To eat that food which is placed before one
  2. b)      To take small morsels
  3. c)      To chew the food
  4. d)      Not to look at others’ faces while eating.

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (2)

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eatThe right to have good tasty food and prohibition of greed

According to traditions coming from Ahle Bait (a.s.), it is Mustahab to eat and let others eat good and clean food and serve it with all formalities; and it is not right to make good food Haram upon oneself. It is however necessary that the food is sought by Halal means and one should not eat to the extent of forgetting prayers. One should not be like animals and only bother about eating and drinking; as eating and drinking is done for the sake of prayer and that one may gain strength. One should not spend to the extent of being known as spendthrift as God does not keep this type of man His friend.

According to a reliable tradition, Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) used to serve people with good bread, tasty Firni and delicious Halwa and used to say that when God is generous to us, we should be generous to people when serving them, and when we are in need we should be careful.

According to another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.), God will question every Momin on three topics on the day of judgement; firstly, what he had eaten, secondly, what he had worn and thirdly, how much he had fulfilled the desire of obedient wife and kept her away from Haram. Abu Khalid Kabuli visited Imam Mohammed Baqir (a.s.) who served him with delicious food during breakfast. When the Imam (a.s.) asked how was the food, Abu Khalid praised the food and recited this Aayat:

‘And on that day will be definitely questioned about the manifold blessings of Allah.’[2]

According to a tradition from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), if you eat too much food, then white spots appear.

According to a tradition from Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), God keeps those people enemies who have these habits:

  1. a)      Who sleep during the day when they have not been awake during the night,
  2. b)      Who laugh meaninglessly,
  3. c)      Who eat after the stomach is full.

According to Hazrat Ali (a.s.), once Hazrat Esa (Jesus) (a.s.) visited a city where a man and a woman were fighting with each other in loud tones. Hazrat Esa (a.s.) enquired about the cause. The man replied that the woman was his wife, very pious and had no vices but he did not like her and desired to be separated from her. When the Prophet Esa (a.s.) further asked the cause he said that the woman was getting old and had lost the freshness of the face. Hazrat Esa (a.s.) asked the woman whether she wanted the freshness of her face. She replied, “Why not.” Then Hazrat Esa (a.s.) asked her not to eat much for it spoils the freshness of the face. When the woman acted accordingly she looked young and was accepted by her husband.

According to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), two things; leprosy and white spots are caused by five habits:

  1. a)      To use Noorah on Friday and Wednesday
  2. b)      To perform Wuzu and bathe with the water heated by sunlight
  3. c)      To eat during the state of Janabat
  4. d)      To cohabit with a woman when she is in period (monthly course)
  5. e)      To eat even when the stomach is full.

According to Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.), man needs to eat that much food which is needed for his strength. One part of the stomach should be for food, the second for water and third for breathing. One should not try to fatten oneself like the lamb meant for Zabeeha (slaughter). He also said that a full stomach causes revolt (disobedience) and quarrels.

Except fever, all sudden diseases and pains are caused by over-eating.

Another tradition from Hazrat Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) states that if the followers of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) follow the ways and manners of alien people especially those of dress and food, they will not be blessed and on the contrary, they will be degraded.

 

10 Islamic Manners on the Dining Table (1)

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modern-dining-tables Utensils that are allowed in eating and drinking

Silver and golden plates are not permitted for eating and drinking and even their use for other types of work is doubtful. But it is better to avoid their use and display for decoration purpose. Any food which is kept in silver and gold is not permissible though this food can be taken out in other types of utensils. There is no reliability about this tradition. One group of Ulema does not perform Wuzu with utensils of silver and gold.

Many Ulema are of the view that the following things should not be made of either gold or silver. Surma bottle, scent case, agar case, chillum, lanterns (which are open on two sides and hung in holy tombs), case of the Quran, cases for the books of prayers and supplications, mirror cases and even walking sticks and pens; but according to Allama  Majlisi their non-permissibility is not proved. However, the end of Hukka pipe (Mohnal) should never be made of gold or silver. To eat or drink in all gilded utensils is Makrooh (detestable). If you eat in them, it is better not to let your mouth touch them.

If wine is kept in any utensil of glass or brass, then these utensils can be cleaned by washing them and even raw china which is not porous. But all clay utensils made by potter from ordinary clay need a lot of water to be cleaned once they have been soaked in dirt (wine). The water should be soaked in the clay pot to the extent that the impurity is removed. However, it is better not to use them.

According to a tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), the person who uses utensils of silver and gold in this world will be kept away from them in heaven.

According to another tradition, Umro Bin Abilmukdam brought a cup of water for Imam Ja’far-e-Sadiq (a.s.) which was joined with a silver piece which the Imam (a.s.) let loose with his teeth.

According to another tradition, Imam Reza (a.s.) has prohibited the use of clay pot coming from Egypt.

According to Buzi ibne Umar, he saw Imam Mohammed Taqi (a.s.) having food in a black bowl in the middle of which Sura ‘Qulho Wallah’ was written in yellow colour.

 

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam(6)

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Islam Recommends One-Third of your Stomach to be Reserved for Water
This tradition comes to us from the Prophet (S) that:

One-third of your stomach should be filled with food, one-third with air, and one-third with water.

Islam therefore, recommends its followers and the whole of humankind to drink lots of water throughout the day and this has several electrical and chemical merits as well. According to Heistand and Coleman (1999):

The entire electrical function of every cellular process in our body depends on the electrical conductivity contained within every molecule. This conductivity increases and decreases depending on the hydration levels of our cellular structure.

Drinking water will greatly increase the hydration of every cell within minutes of taking the drink. And, this rapid interface can only be achieved with water (because of its highly balanced electrical matrix) and no other fluids.

Apparently, drinking lots of clean water is one Islamic way to cleanse oneself from toxins inside the body and introduce highly charged energy to the energy fields surrounding the stomach and intestines. Truly, water (mercy from Allah) has been termed the elixir of life. Brennan (1987) suggests (to healers, especially) to always drink a full glass of spring water between healing sessions. Drinking water before any kind of performance that involves mental effort has been well researched to have endless advantages.

 

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam (5)

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The-Top-Six-Healthy-Nutritional-Habits-in-IslamIslam Recommends Salt Before and After Each Meal
Salt is one of the best foods you can take before and after meals, and the recommendation by the Prophet (S) is very current and important. It is reported that the Prophet (S) always used to have salt before and after meals, and he said that a person who does this act is protected from 70 types of diseases (curses), among which leprosy is the minor one. Islam made this calling because of the benefits of salt (sodium chloride) to the physiology and the human energy system, in particular when taken before and after meals, when it has the most merit during the digestion process.

Without salt we cannot live. Salt ensures the transmission of electrical nerve impulses to and from the brain and the contractions of the heart and other muscles. Salt is necessary to the flow of nutrients around the body and is vital to the digestion of food. This help in digestion is what we need during meals. Salt stimulates the sensory nerve endings on the tongue to prepare your system for digestion, and increases the rate of absorption.

Sodium is also a principal component of a person’s internal environment, the extra-cellular fluid. Nutrients reach your body’s cells through these fluids. Sodium facilitates many bodily functions including fluid volume and acid base balance. Sodium enables the transmission of nerve impulses around the body. It is an electrolyte, and like potassium, calcium and magnesium it regulates electrical charges moving in and out of cells in the body.

Chloride, too, is essential to good health and is a fundamental element in the digestion process. It preserves acid-base balance in the body. It aids potassium absorption. It supplies the essence of hydrochloric acid used in the stomach to help us to breakdown and digest the food we eat and controls the level of bacteria present in the stomach.

A case in point, the main reason why we have medical doctors and health-care professionals restraining the general community from consuming salt is that it may cause or exacerbate high blood pressure. Unfortunately, the problem is not in the Prophet’s advice, but with the advancement in food processing and preserving technology, and we have too much salt content already in our processed and highly adulterated foods. Therefore, consuming extra salt would be harmful.

Second, the table salt lacks potassium and the companies concerned extract the important mineral and sell it as a supplement, so when people take too much table salt, it has the disadvantage to cause high blood pressure problems in a vulnerable person. The advice is to ingest pure sea salt that is balanced in sodium, potassium and other minerals, and to consume less preserved foods.

No matter what, the advice of the Prophet (S) remains an important matter to all of humankind to maintain that electrical and chemical balance during and after meals. Because salt has so many electrical properties within the body, its role in balancing the ambient energy fields cannot be ignored. Improper food digestion will affect the energy of the person concerned.

Scientists and observers have reported that a bowl of sea salt placed in space has the ability to purify the surrounding universal energy from all the shortages and blockages. The salt would attract any negativity to it (Poole, 1999). It is highly probable that ingested salt also has the same ability.

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam (4)

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The-Top-Six-Healthy-Nutritional-Habits-in-IslamEating in the Same Table where Alcohol is served is Forbidden

al-Kulayni has narrated through his chain from Abu Ja’far (AS) that he said:

Allah never raised any prophet but it was in Allah’s knowledge that when He would perfect his religion it would include prohibition of intoxicants. Intoxicants were always unlawful, even though they are carried away from (one) trait to (another) trait. And if it were imposed on them all together, it would have cut them off short of religion.

As Allah (SWT), Most Sublime, Most High commands us in Qur’an: They ask you concerning alcohol and gambling? Say! In them are great sin and some profit for men, but the sin is greater than their profit . (al-Qur’an – Chapter 2, Verse 219)

O you who believe! Intoxicants and games of chance, idols and divination by arrows are only an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So stay away from them so that you may be successful.

The Shaytan only desires to cause enmity and hatred in your midst through intoxicants and gambling, and keep you away from remembering Allah and from prayer. Will you then abstain from them? (al-Qur’an – Chapter 5, Verses 90-91)

The adulterated info-energy and the negative effects on the human energy and the universal energy field from intoxicants can be further explained by narrating the following tradition from al-Ridha (AS) who has said:

Allah (SWT) forbade the drinking of wine, since it causes corruption, disturbance and intoxication of the mind . and becomes the cause of all the sins including murdering, and accusing falsely chaste woman of adultery and committing adultery, lessening abstinence, and refraining from forbidden deeds. (Wasail-Shia – Volume 17, Page 22)
Drug experts describe alcohol as the most dangerous drug on earth. Water loss, vitamin deficiency and electrolyte depletion are few of the health hazards of alcohol, besides liver damage, pancreas disorders, and major psychiatric illnesses. Because of the adverse side effects of this drug and a few others, Islam has prohibited its use even in small quantities, as the drug is also addictive. The faults within the fields of energy created from ingesting such a drug is disturbing and the reason why we have a list of illnesses that are alcohol-related:

Nausea, vomiting, flushing, mental excitement or depression, drowsiness, impaired perception, stupor, coma, even death may occur. (Gosselin, R. E. et. al., 1984)

Muhammad ibn Abdillah narrates from one of his companions that he said – I said to Abu Abdillah (AS) – May I be made your ransom! Why did Allah forbid the dead animal, blood and flesh of swine? He said: As for intoxicants, Allah has made it unlawful because of its effect and disorder. Verily! The one addicted to liquor is like the idol worshipper. It creates in him tremor and takes away his radiance. It destroys his sense of honor, and incites him to indulge in unlawful activities like bloodshed and fornication. When he is intoxicated, there is no guarantee that he would not assault sexually the women who are within the prohibited degree (like mother, daughter or sister) without being aware of it. The liquor does not lead the drinker except to every type of evil. (Man La Yahdhuruhul-Faqih)
Apparently, Muslims have also been recommended to avoid eating where people eat and drink forbidden drinks, behave shamelessly and perform forbidden acts. The reason for this advice is clear, and is because that person would be sharing his or her info-energy with alcoholics who have disharmonious energy patterns and contaminated info-energy from the alcohol, which will contain memories of abuse and intoxication. This sharing of energy (with alcohol or alcoholics) would not only adulterate one’s energy system, according to Dye (2000) but also make him weak and prone to evil, lustful desires. The mind works less convincing if its energy fields are low charged and blocked.

The same applies to all other addictive elements such as cocaine, marijuana, etc. No wonder alcohol, like music leads to other major sinful acts. Drinking alcohol is considered the mother of all vices. Using similar explanations, we shall explain how music also leads to adultery, a saying of the Prophet (S), and how truthful he was. This is another reason why the Aimmah have linked alcohol to other sinful acts.

The negative effects of alcohol at the physical and energy level in the surrounding universal energy have been well explained by Ali when he said:

If a drop of liquor falls into a well and a minaret is built on its nearby land I will not recite Adhan (proclamation to prayer) from it; and if it falls into a river and in its dry bed grows grass, I will not let my horse graze on it.

It is reported that in one instance the enemy of al-Naqi (AS), the Shiite Tenth Infallible (AS) was unable to pick up a glass that contained alcohol in it and wanted to give it to the Imam (AS). In other words, alcohol itself refused to be picked up and go near one of the cleanest individuals on this earth. We all have had similar experiences wherein we relate to the object in question – like a glass of water spilling on us just because it is dirty and the water does not want the person drinking it, a trip that was suddenly changed or cancelled, and so forth.

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam(3)

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The-Top-Six-Healthy-Nutritional-Habits-in-IslamRemembrance of Allah (SWT) is Prescribed Before, During, and After Eating
In the Invocation of Kumayl, Ali (AS) remarks:

O’ He! Whose name is a remedy. Remembering Allah (SWT) and reciting several small invocations before eating have been greatly endorsed in Islam and other religions, and Muslims are supposed to perform this small act of worship before meals. Scientists have only now proven the benefits of deep breathing and relaxation (a state produced when invoking Allah (SWT) in prayer) before, during, and after meals. This practice has been well researched to increase nutrient absorption and allows the body to introduce the correct and healthy enzymes to break down the foods. True, blessings, prayer or silent contemplation before eating will improve digestion, assimilation and well being on all levels. The free flowing fields of energy and favorable info-energy released during these small episodes of prayer will undoubtedly affect the rate of absorption and elimination.

It is reported that besides washing hands, Muqaddas Ardabeli (one of the great Islamic Jurist) always performed ablution before eating. The powerful and positive effects of ablution on one’s energy fields has been noted, increasing the assimilation and productivity of the food at the physical and energy level.

The Top Six Healthy Nutritional Habits in Islam(2)

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The-Top-Six-Healthy-Nutritional-Habits-in-IslamEating with Washed, Wet Hands

Washing hands before meals is yet another concept in Islam and many other religions. Further admonition is not to dry our hands and proceed to eat with wet hands. This concept is now clear because if we were to wash our hands and then dry them with a tissue/towel, we are likely to introduce low charge energy into the energy fields of our hand. This towel is normally used for many other purposes and by different people, or even tissue/towel that is clean but filled with faults from the surrounding air, or the universal energy. The unadulterated and pure info-energy of water would also be contaminated or at least altered with the info-energy in the towel. Therefore, to eat with those hands may be unhealthy.

The Prophet (S) was also observed to draw his wet hands over his face whenever he washed his hands after eating (al-Majlisi, 1627). To maintain the higher kind of energy purity, one needs to avoid contact with towels or tissues after washing hands before eating. Physical contact with the bacteria and viruses in towels and tissues is also something to consider and the reason why many organizations including many religions advise the washing of hands before eating, but Muslims have been further recommended to refrain from drying their hands until contact with food is made.
A case in point, Muslims have also been recommended not to dry themselves after performing ablution for prayer. The higher rate of vibrations in the energy fields of the person having performed ablution should remain until the start of prayer. Water has the ability to do just that.

In modern bathrooms, there are blow-driers located (instead of tissue) and this is a much better way to dry ones hands.

 From a nutritional point of view:
Everything we do to our food changes its subtle electrical reality, its electrical matrix and how it interfaces with our body. (Heistand and Coleman, 1999)

If we eat junk food, food that has been sprayed and preserved, food that has been flavored or frozen, these foods will have confusing energy that has been adulterated, and by eating these foods we will be developing faults in our network of energy. The results of such insults to over-eating and eating preserved foods are chronic fatigue, intestinal disorders, stomach ulcers, and so forth – all because of an electrically and chemically unstable stomach brought about by our improper ingestion of food or over-eating. Islam, therefore, has advised its followers to abstain from junk food (though the religion has not made these foods forbidden), sprayed and preserved foods, etc. – foods that are un-natural.
In Elixir of Love, one of the Shaykh Rajab Ali’s devotees related about him that the Shaykh was once holding a session in one of his friends’ house. Before starting his talk, he felt somehow weak due to hunger and asked for some bread. The householder brought him half a loaf of bread for him to eat, and then he started the meeting. The following night he said:

Last night I made salutations to the holy Imams (AS) but I did not see them. I pleaded to find the reason. I was told intuitively, You had half of that food and the hunger alleviated. Why then did you eat the other half! Having some food enough for body’s need is all right, but extra to that would cause veil and darkness.