MUSLIM Magazine
Jul 25, 2017 · 4 min read

Natural Living : A Glimpse

A life of consuming only organically produced food or employing only natural everyday products do not fully capture the concept behind Natural Living, as there is more to it than food and skincare. Natural living is more encompassing. It covers all areas of life from nutrition, health, environment, energy sources to general lifestyle.

To better understand this concept, both terminologies are defined separately.

“Natural” means without artificiality or imitation, in accordance with nature, being unprocessed or manufactured using minimal or simple processes.

“Living”, on the other hand means leading a certain kind of life. A journey of human events and their activities.

So in its clearest form, “Natural Living” is the art of conducting one’s life in harmony with nature. It is taking into consideration things we buy, use, and how they affect others, the environment, the world, the future, and ourselves. It is seeking healthy and cleaner alternatives to the harmful and toxic way of life that is prevalent.

NATURAL LIVING IN ISLAAM

Al-Islaam is such a perfect religion. It is a code of life. It teaches us to value good health in all forms.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning);

"Oh Mankind! eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth…” Qur’aan 2:168

Also,

"O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allaah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship" Qur’aan 2:172

Emphasis is placed on eating good and well. This can only be achieved by consuming food that are produced without any manipulations to its nature. The same goes for whatever is applied topically on the body, as the body is a trust upon us, according to the hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon Him).

Most of the food we consume however, do more harm than good. This is because they are conventional or inorganic foods. Though cheaper, and more times than not, of more quantity as compared to the organic produce, they are harmful in many ways.

In inorganic food, chemical fertilizers are applied to plants to promote growth, insecticides are sprayed on the foods to reduce pests and diseases, chemical herbicides are also used to manage weed. The animals and birds are not left out, as they are given antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to improve growth and prevent diseases.

When it comes to cosmetic and skin care products, toxic substances are almost always included in them. They are as harmful as intentionally cutting lives short. They contain ingredients that have been linked to many illnesses ranging from eye damage, impaired muscle functions, increased allergies to different types of cancer.

As Muslims, it is essential to note that our bodies are given to us by Allaah, and as such, are a trust upon us.

The great scholar Ibn al-Qayyim also stated;

"…by taking in food which is of little nutritional value, slow to digest; and by indulging in different foods which are complex in their composition. When a human being fills his belly with these foods and it becomes a habit, they will cause him various diseases, some of which come to an end slowly, some swiftly. When he is moderate in his eating and takes only so much of it as he needs, keeping a balance of quantity and quality, the body benefits more from this than it does from a large amount of food." (Zaad al-Ma'aad 4/16)

Islaam, being a perfect code of conduct, places emphasis on nutrition and health, as well as some other components of natural living such as,

ECO CONSCIOUSNESS

"If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him." - Imam Bukhari.

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“If the Hour (the day of Resurrection) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it.” (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said,

"A man felt very thirsty while he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst and came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, "This dog is suffering from thirst as I did." So, he went down the well again, filled his shoe with water, held it with his mouth and watered the dog. Allah appreciated him for that deed and forgave him." The Companions said, "O Allah's Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He replied: "There is a reward for serving any living being." (Bukhari)

RECYCLING & REDUCTION OF WASTE

Islam frowns at wastage. This is evident as Allaah says in Q6:141;

"…and do not waste. Indeed He does not like those who commit wastage"

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-`Aas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet passed one day by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqas (May Allah be pleased with him) while he was performing wudu'(ritual cleaning of body parts in preparation for prayer). The prophet asked Sa`d, "Why is this wastage?" Sa`d replied "Is there wastage in wudu also?" The Prophet said, "Yes, even if you are at a flowing river." (Ahmad and authenticated Ahmad Shakir)

Muslims should therefore strive to live as natural a life as possible and not because it's the current trend, but because it is part of the religion of Islaam and thus, a means of earning rewards from Allaah, as actions shall be judged according to intentions.

By Zainab Sanusi

28th Shawwal, 1438 AH.

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