Welcome to Janathi Message

Ramadan 2010 (Pearls of Light)

 

Repent from Wasting Food

Everyone today is complaining on the failure to make ends meet and the deprivation of blessings. Who knows, perhaps the reason for the limitation of our resources is our disrespect for food. You would hardly find a Muslim today who does not waste food.

Everywhere, whether it is in ceremonies, weddings or the commemorative congregation [urs] of some Saint, you will find people disrespecting food. It is quiet tragic, how much food is dropped on the dinning-mat (dastarkhuwan) without any concern or regard for it.

After eating, remnants of food and meat still remain on bones and on other big pieces of spices, which are then thoughtlessly thrown away. Most people do not even think of saving leftovers and the food eventually end up in the bin.

It is not only food, but water is also unappreciated and wasted. Unfortunately, most Muslims do not realise this. They think that since water is in abundance, how can one waste it? Thus, when they brush their teeth, they let the water run. When they wash the dishes, they turn the tap on full blast and let it run continuously while they gather the dishes to the sink or adjust the plates on the wires. When they make Wuzu, they turn the tap on full blast and let it run (especially in mosques).

If we examine and reflect, we will realise the sorry state of the Ummah, where there is no love for fellow Muslims. Everyone is out to get the best for themselves and their children. It does not matter if other Muslims are left with crumbs or even nothing.

It is the saying of the Beloved Prophet (S.A.W): “None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he wishes for himself.” (Bukhari Shareef)

One day Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) saw a fallen piece of bread. He (R.A) instructed his servant to pick it up, clean it and to store it. The same evening when breaking the fast (Iftar), he (R.A) asked his servant for that same piece of bread.

His servant told him that he had already eaten it. Upon this Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) said to his servant “Go! I have freed you because I once heard the Mercy for the Universe, the Great Prophet (S.A.W) saying, “Whoever eats a fallen piece of bread, Allah (S.W.T) forgives that person before it reaches his stomach. So how can I hold that person a servant who has become entitled to forgiveness?”

We all should repent from the food and water that we may have wasted and vow never to waste a single speck of food ever again. By Allah! (S.W.T) On the Day of Judgment, we will have to give an account of everything we waste.