The Islamic teachings do not guide just the spiritual development of its followers, but also provide a guideline for their daily routines including health. Many of the Islamic teachings related to health have been scientifically proven and highly beneficial for us. So, every moment we spend in this world should have something more than just enjoying the moment. Everything we do must be done to strengthen our relationship with Allah. That's the main purpose of our life. It is by improving our worship, our ibadah, we will find things getting easy for us, making our life better. We can improve our worship not only by salah, hajj, fasting, loving and taking care of our loved ones etc, but also by following the sunnah of Prophet SAW and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Hence, following a healthy lifestyle does improve our worship and brings us closer to Allah SWT

HEALTHY EATING

Eating a healthy balanced diet, doing regular exercise and providing proper rest to our body can affect our Ibadah and in turn affect our Akhirah.

Allah SWT says in Qur'an,
"O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth and follow not the footsteps of shaitaan. Verily he is to you an open enemy" (2:168)

In this Ayah, Allah SWT not only tells us to eat what is halal, but also what is healthy. Here Allah mentions how the shaitaan uses food to trick us, making us eat unhealthily which has adverse effects on our Ibadah.

The Prophet SAW said "Fill the stomach one- third with food, one- third with water and leave one- third empty” [1.] The Qur'an in fact forbids overeating." Eat and Drink, but do not over eat"(7:31).

The Prophet SAW constantly preached the message of health, he knew that healthy bodies carry healthy souls. He taught how we need to be careful with the food we eat. He said " Always keep covered the food " So its protected from airborne germs. [2]
Therefore, according to religious teachings, human beings can take any kind of food that is clean and avoid forbidden foods that may be harmful to the body. Prophet encouraged the use of healthy foods such as bran, olive oil, and dates

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Prophet SAW used to exercise. He encouraged others to be a part of sports such as wrestling, running, horse racing, camel racing, [3] swimming, and archery. He always had a flat stomach. When he saw someone with a bulging stomach he would say," that excessive weight which you are carrying will look better on someone else" [4], meaning on someone skinny.

Over eating, eating unhealthy and lack of exercise make our body weak and lazy. A weak and lazy body prevents us from performing our Ibadah effectively and prevent us from coming closer to Allah. Prophet SAW said "The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both"[5].

Fulfilling the obligations of three of the five pillars of Islam require that Muslims be of sound health and fitness. Exercise increases muscle tone, improves flexibility, enhance endurance, strengthens the heart and fights depression.

SLEEPING HABITS

Maintaining healthy sleeping habits is as important as eating healthy and exercising, to improve our worship. Prophet SAW used to go to bed right after Esha, and used to wake up before Fajr. We must follow this Sunnah of going to sleep early, so we can wake up fresh for Fajr prayer. If we sleep late, either we miss Fajr or cannot concentrate at all, being half sleepy. [6] Always ensure you get adequate sleep and ensure your stress levels are low.
Islam encourages midday napping after “Zuhr” or “Jumaat” (Friday) prayer. This is consistent with neuroscience, which suggests early midday napping than late in the afternoon, to avoid disturbing the night sleep.

FASTING

The primary purpose of fasting is to develop Taqwa but it carries health benefits as well. Fasting brings about a complete physiological change, giving rest to digestive tract and central nervous system. But we should not consume more during Iftar. Also include vegetables, fruits and lots of water. Avoid fried snacks, lower meat consumption and sugary.
Allah SWT said: “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become righteous.” (2:183)
During the fasting process, the blood in the human body is filled with more endorphins, which in turn, gives you a feeling of well being and great mental health. The overall effects of fasting has a similar impact on brain as physical exercise would.

HYGIENE

Islam is a way of healthy, safe and hygienic lifestyle.

● The Practice of cutting nails, trimming moustache, plucking the armpits, shaving pubic hair and cleaning private parts with water [7]
● Cleaning teeth, washing hands, face, and feet five times before praying. Prophet SAW said “Brushing the teeth cleanses the mouth and pleases the lord”. [8]
● Cleansing one’s body, dress or place from an impurity or filth.
● Purification from impurity (i.e. to attain purity or cleanliness, by taking a bath or performing ablution wudu)

Allah says in Qur'an:" …Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers etc." (2:222).
Islam emphasizes keeping the hand clean and washing private parts and hands after going to the toilet. In another Hadith, “Clean yourself from urine, for the general punishment in the grave is from it” [9]

So, in order to strengthen our relationship with Allah we must follow the Sunnah of our Prophet SAW to eat, sleep, and exercise right. It also enables us to perform our daily duties such as taking care of our family and helping others and improve our overall performance as a true believer. The Prophet, however, assigns top priority to good health. The Prophet says “Wealth is appropriate to a God-fearing person, but good health is better for the God fearing than wealth” [10]. Islam encourages Muslims to teach their children different sports in an attempt to make them strong and physically active.
May Allah bless us all with success, health, happiness, patience and strength. May all your dreams come true and May you live the life that you have always dreamed of. May Allah bless you with victory in this life and eternal life too…Ameen.

- Written by RAIZA NASIH

Further Reading:
The Importance of Health And Hygiene in Islam by Dr.Muhammad Bin Ibrahim Al-Hamad
Health as a human right in Islam by Dr.M.H. Al.Khayat

Reference:
1. Reported by Imam Ahmad (4/132) & Al Hakim (4/121), At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al Albhani
2. Reported by Al Bukhari on the authority of Jabir
3. Farraj I.Islam and prevention from diseases
4. Reported by Al-Haythami
5. Al Khayat M.H. The Right path to health: Health Education through religion
6. Reported by Daarimi, Tabaraani, others
7. See: ‘Sahih Muslim’ with the explanation of An -Nawawi (3/149)
8. See: ‘Lisan Al -Arab (10/446)’ & ‘Sahih Muslim’
9. Reported by Ad -Daruqutni (no.7)
And graded as authentic by Al -Albani in ‘Irwa al-Ghalil’
10. Reported by Sahih (authentic) according to Al -Albani