Proper Nutrition in Imam Ali's (A.S) Conduct

Authors

1 PhD Candidate of the History of Islam at Shiraz University,

2 M.A of Shiite History at Lorestan University

10.22081/csa.2020.69383

Abstract

Proper nutrition plays a key role in the peoples' health. The main purpose of eating is to provide the health of body and mind, and merely satiating and enjoying the food are not the ultimate goal. There are recommendations in Islamic tradition and namely in Imam Ali's (A.S) conduct to have a healthy nutrition and the kind of the meal so that one may have a healthy body and mind. Having analyzed Imam Ali's (A.S) narrations and conduct, the present paper is to answer this question that what is a good model for a healthy nutrition based on Imam Ali's (A.S) conduct? The research findings prove that the Imam have provided many recommendations about nutrition. Eating less, dividing the meals to some divisions, eating calmly, observing individual sanitation, and not speaking while eating are among the most important principles for a healthy nutrition recommended by Imam Ali (A.S). According to the Imam and based on the individual's temper, eating soft foods such as nutrients, vegetables, honey, and chicken should be preferred to hard foods. Having fruits such as apples, pears, and pomegranate gladdens the heart and lifts the spirit. As the Imam's conduct show, healthy nutrition needs knowledge of foods nature, observing food rites and proper timing for eating. Therefore, if one has a healthy nutrition, it leads to have a good temperament and healthy body and mind, and finally it improves lifestyle.

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