AN ORGANIC IFTAR - WE ARE WHAT WE EAT with Sh Abdal Hakim Mu

Published by IFEES on 25 September, 2006 - 17:17

Islamic Foundation for Ecology &
Environmental Sciences (IFEES) Presents:

AN ORGANIC IFTAR - WE ARE WHAT WE EAT

with
Shaykh Abdal-Hakim Murad (Cambridge University)*
Sister Harfiyah Haleem (IFEES)*
Zac Goldsmith (Editor of the The Ecologist)*

Date: Wednesday 27th September 2006
Time: 5.45pm - 7.30pm (Iftar at 18.51)
Venue: Room B35 Lecture Theatre, Basement Birkbeck College,
University of London, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HX

In this world of instant gratification and over indulgence we lose
sight of the fact that we are what we eat. Eat the wrong foods and
our bodies will become polluted because food is our fuel and we must
help the engine that drives our bodies. However, partaking of the
wrong things is not limited to food. We often talk about following
the Sunnah, understanding Tawhid and being spiritual, but how much
of these have we really implemented this Ramadan?

Allah (swt) has commanded us in the Quran, "O you who believe! Eat
of the good things with which We have provided you, and give thanks
to Allah, if you truly worship Him alone."

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel
worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to
eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill
his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third
with drink and one third with air." (At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mâjah)

Yes, Muslims are directed in the Quran to eat food that is Halal
and Tayyib. Halal is defined as food that is permissible according
to Islamic law. Tayyib means wholesome, pure, nutritious and safe.
Yet how many iftars can you name that have avoided extravagance,
gluttony and consumerism, which have obvious environmental and
ecological effects, and then we complain and struggle to perform
our tarawih prayers?

In light of recent findings about the authenticity of halal meat
and chicken, what kind of spiritual 'food' are you eating? What
kind of lifestyle are you living? Is it really according to the
Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet (saw)? Ramadan is truly the month
of purification, so is it not time that we actually took this
understanding holistically?

*Sidi Abdal-Hakim Murad, born 1960, London. Educated Cambridge
University (MA Arabic), and al-Azhar. Translator of al-Bayhaqi's
77 Branches of Faith. Editor of M. Z. Siddiqi's Hadith Literature
(Islamic Texts Society, 1993). Trustee and Secretary of The Muslim
Academic Trust. Director, The Anglo-Muslim Fellowship
for Eastern Europe.

*Sr Harfiyah Haleem has been a Trustee of IFEES for several years.
She has given numerous talks and presentations about Islam’s teachings
on the environment and Climate Change. Harfiyah worked for 14 years at IQRA
Trust, London, for whom she continues to do occasional freelance work. She has
been writing for the Muslim World Book Review magazine (Islamic Foundation)
since 1981 and has also edited a number of books including 'Islam and the
Environment', a collection of essays by Muslim writers published by Ta Ha 1998.

Join us for a unique event - an Organic Iftar - and let's revive
a forgotten Sunnah and tradition by leading the way for a change
in the lifestlyles of our community.

* All welcome - try to invite non-Muslim friends and family
* Salah (Prayers) will be observed
* Entrance Requirement: No booking required but you MUST bring
an organic dish or fair trade produce to share with others. If
you aren't sure where you can purchase organic items locally
the following website may help:

Also download the latest version of our
Eco Islam, the world first and only
Islamic Magazine on the Environment
at:

For more information contact:
Tel: 07956 983 609 / 07092 032 136
E-mail:
Website: