Question
Recently an Imam of a Masjid gave a talk on Dua. He cautioned the listeners that Duas will not be accepted if Haraam is consumed. He further stated that it is the onus of every individual to investigate and make sure that Haraam does not enter his tummy. Reliance upon organisations and their certification of products does not absolve one of this responsibility, no matter how pious the people of the organisation may be. He gave an example of a patient being wrongly treated with wrong medication. He said that as much as we will hold the doctor responsible for his mistreatment, the effect of the wrong treatment will still be felt by the patient and he will suffer accordingly. In the same way, if an organisation misleads one to haraam, we will still have the effects of the haraam in our bodies. He said that, even there was no organisation involved, if a person mistakenly consumes Haraam, then too, he will be affected. When I questioned him regarding this, he explained, that if a person made a genuine mistake, then he should make Tawbah for that mistake but the effects of the Haraam will still be in the body. He narrated an incident of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (r.a) who, on finding out that food he had consumed was from a doubtful source, he immediately, forcefully vomited it out. I also asked him what these effects are and he said, that a person will not have the inclination to do good deeds and worship. and if he does do good deeds or worship, then there will be a lack of sincerity, devotion and spirituality. Please comment and explain whether the above is true in all circumstances. I keep thinking about reverts to Islam, whose food before Islam was Haraam. Upon Accepting Islam, does he still have the effects of Haraam in his body?
Answer
The Maulana had correctly explained the issue of consuming haraam food. If haraam/ doubtful food is consumed by mistake, then while it will not be sinful, nevertheless, the effects of the impure food will become manifest on the physical body as well as on the Rooh (soul). The degree of harmful consequences depends on the type, quantity and period of the consumption of haraam consumed, and the attitude accompanying it.
Haraam food creates physical disease as well as bestiality, forgetfulness, spiritual lethargy and disinclines a person from ibaadat even though he may desire to be pious intellectually. But he is just unable to muster the determination for steadfast ibaadat due to the spiritual weakness created by the haraam food.
As far as the haraam food which non-Muslims had consumed prior to Imaan, Allah Ta'ala has promised that Imaan obliterates the sins, etc. of the pre-Islam period. Allah Ta'ala has power over all things. It is His mercy that he restores the sincere convert to spiritual health by eliminating the effects of the haraam food he had consumed before Imaan. However, the Muslim is expected to be diligent and not be careless regarding his food intake. Most Muslims consuming haraam do so out of carelessness and the bestial desire to eat just whatever their nafs desires, hence they will eat even meat foods prepared and sold by kuffaar on the basis of a scrap of paper called 'halaal certificate'. Thus, their consumption of haraam is not accidental or by mistake. It is by design and bestial desire.
On the other hand, the sincere and abstemious Muslim who exercises considerable care regarding his food will also receive the mercy of Allah Ta'ala. If such a Muslim accidentally consumes haraam, then while the impure food will adversely affect him, Allah Ta'ala will restore his spiritual health after some time. This has happened to even great Auliya who are extremely meticulous about what they consume. Even a doubtful date produces severe spiritual constipation and lethargy in them. After fervant dua, spiritual exercises and spiritual suffering for some time, Allah Ta'ala enshrouds them with His Rahmat and the evil effects are obliterated.
It is just as poison. Accidental ingestion of poison while not sinful, does adversely affect a person. One may even die.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 20 No 09
- PDF page
- 8
Appears under HARAAM FOOD.