PILLARS OF FAITH
How much of what we do is genuinely, really life?
Foregoing the trivialities that draw us away from life’s marrow is essential for connecting our souls to the heavens.
Routine is fundamental for simplifying and focusing life on the consequential, and the Arkānul Islāmi Khamsah—Five Pillars of Faith (the testification of faith, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, and pilgrimage) successfully does this.
The recurring nature of the pillars is its success because it is only in its periodic repetition that the behaviour is reinforced and becomes part of our identity.
Furthermore, every building block, rule, and ritual within this magnificent system connects us to God and His Prophet (s), directs our affairs, and makes us wise to trade this life for the one to come.
THE FOUR HORSEMEN
We live in an age of chronic disease, and Muslims are not immune to the prevailing poor health trends.
The Prophet (s) warned us of deceptions that rob us of two priceless gifts: time and health. [Bukhari 6412].
Most Muslim households are homes to what Dr Peter Attia, author of Outlive – The Science & Art of Longevity, calls the “Four Horsemen”: heart disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, or type 2 diabetes and related metabolic dysfunction.
Lifestyle, dietary habits, modern medicine’s almost exclusive pharmacological approach, socioeconomic reasons, and lack of exercise are some of the most common drivers of these omnipresent diseases.
No silver bullet exists to combat the “Four Horsemen”. While a nuanced approach is required, activating a robust physical lifestyle can mitigate poor health.
Exercise is perhaps the most potent longevity and healthspan drug and holds tremendous promise. When physical activity enters a flow state, it opens a gateway to combat the other drivers of ill health, particularly diet.
Health is a preoccupation for most, and most want to be healthy. However, modern living combined with the dominant food culture sets a significant barrier to becoming a conscious consumer and adopting a consistent, active lifestyle.
But this is where the spiritual community centres must step in. Mosques could do a better job of addressing the rampant mental and physical diseases prevalent in our communities. Sadly, most paragons guiding their congregations are battling ill health, too, and are hardly the specimens to inspire good health. Furthermore, most mosque food fundraisers contribute to the crisis by selling food that is bad for health.
Considering that many deceptions lure us to bad health, the Prophet (s), in a sobering statement, warned us of one of the primary illusions and how to combat it: ‘The human does not fill any container worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat what will support his back. If this is not possible, then a third for food, a third for drink, and a third for his breath’ [Tirmidhi 2380].
Many people misquote this hadith (prophetic statement) and interpret the latter advice as the default position. This interpretation is incorrect. The Prophet (s) guides us to eat just enough to keep our backs straight, which is very little. Should we fail, the Prophet (s) extends his mercy by granting us some latitude: a third each for food, drink, and breath. Beyond this, we exit the sunnah and enter self-will. A sound practice to keep us within the prophetic boundaries is to stop eating while still having an appetite.
As Muslims, we must strive for excellence, hence, our work is never done, but how excellent can we do it when most of us are sick and in bad shape?
We require a health revolution, and while I believe mosques have a significant role to play, health is primarily the individual’s responsibility.
The Prophet (s) was a genius when he linked time and health and warned to safeguard them from loss. Time loses its value without having the health to utilise it effectively. The reverse also proves true.
Time will prove vital in the fight for health, ergo, reserving sufficient thereof is fundamental for improving our cognitive, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.
Inaction now will only delay the inevitable, which is forced action later.
So, where to begin?
By subtracting or downsizing one harmful habit and adding one that’s beneficial, ad infinitum, beginning with prophetic identity crafting, diet and exercise.
Tip: Begin small, then scale.
Many live dishonest lives by unwittingly going incognito.
The intention is not to obfuscate, but the fear that the world would reject me if I presented my true face may be overwhelming. Thus, masks, though harmful, make me feel safer in the big, wide world.
Regarding this, Jami’, a poet from the distant past, the equivalent of Rumi, wrote:
“I said to my rose-cheeked lovely, “O you with bud-like mouth, Why keep hiding your face, like flirting girls?” She laughed and said, “Unlike the beauties of your world, In the veil, I’m seen, but without it, I’m hidden.”
Until next week, InshaAllah
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
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