Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

6 Aug 2021 / 27 Zulhijjah 1442H

The Concept of Halalan Toyyiban in our Food Consumption

الحَمدُ للهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ فَسَوَّى، وَصَبَّ الْمَاءَ وَشَقَّ اْلأَرْضَ وَأَطْعَمَ وَسَقَى، وَرَزَقَ العِبَادَ مِمَّا يَطْعَمُوْنَ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا، وَأَشهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا وَنَبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّم عَلَى الرَّحْمَةِ الْمُهْدَاةِ، مُحَمَّدٍ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ وَمَنْ دَعَا بِدَعْوَتِهِ وَاهتَدَى بِهُدَاهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ.

أَمَّا بَعدُ، فَيَا عِبَادَ اللهِ، اِتَّقُوا اللهَ جَلَّ وَعَلاَ وَاشْكُرُوْهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ الوَافِرَةِ.

Blessed brothers and sisters in Islam,

Let us increase our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by carrying out all His commands and avoiding all His prohibitions. May Allah (s.w.t.) bless our lives with good provision and halal sustenance. With the arrival of the New Hijri Year (Awal Muharram) in a few days, let us instill within ourselves the determination to continue to draw closer to Allah by increasing our acts of worship. Amin.

Brothers and sisters,

There is a hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w.) which acts a guide for every believer regarding the food that we consume. The Prophet said which means: “Whatever is made lawful by Allah (s.w.t.) in His book, then it is lawful and whatever He forbids, then it is unlawful. And whatever else He did not mention, then it is forgiven. And accept the forgiveness from Allah (s.w.t.), for indeed Allah (s.w.t.) does not forget in the least bit. Then the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) recited a verse from the words of Allah (s.w.t.): ‘And your Lord will not forget.’ “(Surah Maryam: 64). [Hadith narrated by al-Hakim].

This hadith explains that the lawful and unlawful are clearly outlined in our religion. As for those that are not mentioned, they are considered as lawful unless they are explicitly prohibited. This is a sign of Allah’s grace and mercy, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, for our convenience and benefit. Allah says in the Quran:

Which means: “It is He who created for you all that is on the earth, then He ascended by His will to the heavens, then made seven heavens perfect; and He is Aware of all things.” (Surah al-Baqarah: 29).

Imam al-Qurtubi mentioned that this verse proves that everything on this earth is Allah’s creation for the benefit of humankind. This means that most things are halal. Whereas what is prohibited by Allah is very few, when compared with everything that has been made lawful by Him.

Brothers and sisters in Islam,

As a Muslim, we are obliged to consume what is made permissible, and refrain from what is prohibited. It is a part of our religion. Consuming halal food is of great importance as highlighted by  the Prophet (s.a.w.) when he mentioned the link between the acceptance of our prayers and our efforts in ensuring that all aspects of our lives are lawful – our food and drink, our clothing as well as our means of sustenance. (Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim).

In addition to consuming food, which is lawful, if we look at the Quran, we will find that it often emphasizes the importance of choosing what is "toyyib" which means good or beneficial. It is an aspect that may sometimes be overlooked by some of us. While we often emphasize on the lawful aspect, we sometimes forget to check whether or not the food is healthy and beneficial for our physical and spiritual health.

There are several interpretations that can be understood from the term, “toyyib”. Amongst them are:

Firstly: Healthy food.

Not all lawful food and drinks can be assumed as good. It depends on each individual’s condition and needs. While some are lawful and good for those who are in good health, it may not be the case for others. In fact, there are foods which may be good for you, but may not be nutritious, hence, it does not bring much benefit.

The assertion of the Quran which uses the phrase halalan toyyiban, indicates that both qualities should be observed. If the lawful aspect (halal) is an obligation that needs to be observed, then the good aspect (toyyib) must also be observed as much as possible.

Therefore, we need to be more mindful of our choices so that we eat food which is lawful and good. This is because a good and healthy body and mind will help us to be physically fit in performing acts of worship, thus making us closer to Allah (s.w.t.).

Secondly: Avoid any wastage.

According to studies, food waste is a problem that is so acute in this day and age. In Singapore alone, the amount of food wastage has increased over the past few years.

This can be avoided  when every one of us work hard to reduce the amount of food waste individually and collectively. This can be done either by buying only the necessary amount of food which is sufficient for you and your family, or by controlling our expenditure, and not spending in excess.

This is another aspect of "toyyib" that we need to pay attention to. This goes in line with our responsibility as His steward on this earth - to be kind towards ourselves, the animals, and also the environment. These are small steps to support the efforts in ensuring a safe environment, while appreciating Allah’s favor upon us.

May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us His guidance and shower us with His mercy. Amin. Ya Rabbal ’Alamin.

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم

 

 

Second Sermon

الْحَمْدُ للهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا كَمَا أَمَرَ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَن لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَيَا عِبَادَ الله، اِتَّقُوا اللهَ تَعَالَى فِيمَا أَمَرَ، وَانتَهُوا عَمَّا نَهَاكُم عَنْهُ وَزَجَرَ.

أَلَا صَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الْمُصْطَفَى، فَقَدْ أَمَرَنَا اللهُ بِذَلِكَ حَيْثُ قَال فِي كِتَابِهِ الْعَزِيزِ: إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَـا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ.

وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ المَهْدِيِّينَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَعَلِيِّ، وَعَن بَقِيَّةِ الصَّحَابَةِ وَالقَرَابَةِ وَالتَّابِعِينَ، وَتَابِعِي التَّابِعِينَ، وَعَنَّا مَعَهُم وَفِيهِم بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وَالمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ، الْأَحْيَاءِ مِنهُم وَالْأَمْوَاتِ. اللَّهُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنَّا الْبَلَاءَ وَالوَبَاءَ وَالزَّلَازِلَ وَالْمِحنَ، مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، عَن بَلَدِنَا خَاصَّةً، وَسَائِرِ الْبُلْدَانِ عَامَّةً، يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ. رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.

عِبَادَ اللهِ، إِنَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ، وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ، فَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ يُعْطِكُمْ، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ، وَاللهُ  يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ.