Human Body and Eating Disorders in Islam

'Remember, it's your own body, your own brain. You're not a victim of the universe, you are the universe.” Dr Richard Bandler

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "No blessing other than faith is better than well-being".

Dieting, especially weight loss is a current phenomenon in modern world. Weight loss industry is huge and no country is safe from its globalized clutches. According to ABC news report "the annual revenue of the U.S. weight-loss industry, including diet books, diet drugs and weight-loss surgeries is $20 billion". Furthermore there are 108 million Americans on diet.

Another epidemic that has come with extreme dieting and fad dieting is various forms of eating disorders.  Medical journals are full of how so and so yoyo dieting has reportedly led a dieter to developing binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia or any other form of eating disorder ( not to forget the detrimental  impacts on one's physiological and psychological health).

 



Eating Disorders have a higher death rate then any other psychiatric disorder (including depression and schizophrenia) and affects one's health and well-being. These deaths tend to be due to organ failure or suicide. In Islam, eating disordered behavior is contrary to Allah's ways.  According to Amira Ayad, author of Healing Body and Soul, the first rule of physical body is 'no harm'.  This falls into lines with sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):

"There shall be no inflicting of harm on oneself."

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) further said:

"No believer may humiliate himself'." When he was asked how any person would humiliate himself, he said: "By exposing himself to risks with which he cannot cope."

Allah says in Qur'an:

".... He allows for them as lawful, tayyibat (all good things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.), and prohibits for them as unlawful khabaith (all evil and unlawful things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.)."        Qur'an 7: 157

It is clear that one of the causes of eating disorders, anorexia bulimia is dieting and restriction of calories. All form of eating disorders has some link to innocent act of going on one of the famed diets to shed few kilos.  I guess that’s where above statement makes sense that we should not expose ourselves to diets, fad diets that can cause risk to our physical and mental health. In this age, due to unlimited access to information, doctors, dieticians and nutritionists, we need to refrain from diets that are devoid of aesthetic and health benefits. We all know that such diets sabotage our health in long run and have unpleasant affects on our health.

“Prophet’s statements: “Be keen to do what is beneficial to you”; Store up enough health to draw on during your illness; “Whatever you feed yourself counts as a benefaction”. Similarly, “Your soul has a [human] right against you; your body has a [human] right  against you; your eyes have a [human] right against you”.

"Prophet's statements: "Be keen to do what is beneficial to you"; Store up enough health to draw on during your illness; "Whatever you feed yourself counts as a benefaction". Similarly, "Your soul has a [human] right against you; your body has a [human] right  against you; your eyes have a [human] right against you".

It is all about being mindful and responsible for decisions we make regarding our health. Therefore, it is pivotal to consult your physician before you start any weight loss program.  If a member of family or friend has become a victim of eating disorder, then it is the duty of family members to seek  as much medical, psychological, and spiritual help as necessary to treat the problem. This is a dangerous illness, if left untreated, some of the effects are irreversible and life-threatening.  Every sickness has a cure, Allah has not Sent down a disease except that He Has also Sent down its cure. 

Do not discriminate, stigmatize people suffering from eating disorders.  Eating disorder related shame, fear, prejudice, discrimination and guilt exists in our society and  it affects the health and well-being of both the sufferer and its family. Fight the stigma-

One of the greatest of deeds before Allah, may He be exalted, one of the dearest to the Most Merciful, one of the highest in honour and greatest in chivalry, is showing kindness to the weak and the sick, taking care of them and looking after them.

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The Muslim is the brother of his fellow Muslim; he does not wrong him or let him down. The one who meets the needs of his brother, Allah will meet his needs. Whoever relieves a Muslim of distress, Allah will relieve him of distress on the Day of Resurrection.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2442) and Muslim (2580).

For more information on Eating Disorders or help and support, please refer to following websites:

UK

http://www.eatingdisordersupport.co.uk/

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk

http://www.seedeatingdisorders.org.uk/

http://www.rethink.org (for young people)

www.getconnected.org.uk (Confidential helpline for young people)

Beat (Beating eating disorders): http://www.b-eat.co.uk

National Centre For Eating Disorders: http://www.eating-disorders.org.uk

Mind – Mental Health Charity: http://www.mind.org.uk

Students Against Depression: http://www.studentdepression.org

Muslim Youth Helpline: http://www.myh.org.uk

Student Counselling in UK Universities: http://www.student.counselling.co.uk

Samaritans: http://www.samaritans.org