Lecture Twenty-Three

The Blessing of Food and Water: The Clear and Compelling Proof That Worship is Due to None but Allah, the Bestower of Blessings

I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Praise is to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. I believe that there is no god but Allah, the Sovereign and the Manifest Truth, and that Muhammad, our master, is His servant, Messenger, and Last Prophet.

O Allah! Confer Your salat and blessings upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad as You conferred Your salat and blessings upon Ibrahim and the Family of Ibrahim. You are Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory! And be pleased with Muhammad's good companions and all Your righteous servants and mujahidin.

O Allah! Guide us and grant us acceptance, for You are the Hearing, the Knowing; accept our repentance, for You are the Relenting and the Merciful.

Brothers and sisters, peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.

We continue our discussion of the mission of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), as he called his people to worship Allah alone and delivered the divine message. He presented significant proofs that are clear and simple but serve as a compelling argument that only Allah (the Almighty) should be worshipped, for He alone deserves worship, not others whom people take as partners or equals to Him. We have reached the verse where Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) says, {'He is the One Who provides me with food and drink'}[Ash-Shu'ara 26:79].

As we have just said, he presented clear proofs, not complex or philosophical ones that are difficult to understand. So his arguments are straightforward, and at the same time they serve as ample and undeniable evidence, rooted in the realities of human life and basic necessities that are self-evident. {'He is the One }—Allah (Glory be to Him)—{Who provides me with food and drink'}[Ash-Shu'ara 26:79].

The very basics of human life are provided by Allah (Glory be to Him), and man is utterly dependent on Him in all things. Why, then, would one worship other than Allah while seeking the blessings that come from Him? In fact, the primary reason many people stray from worshipping Allah and following His straight path is that they focus on securing life's necessities while forgetting that these blessings come from Allah, the Almighty. They may acknowledge this in theory, but their heedlessness and misguidance lead them to seek blessings from others than Allah, Who is the source of these blessings.

The blessing of food and the need to remember it, give thanks to Allah, and sincerely worship Him

One of the most fundamental needs of human life is food, which is vital for survival, not only for humans but for all living creatures. There is no need to say that both humans and animals would perish without food. It is Allah (Glory be to Him) Who created this food for us and then provided it to us. He (Glory be to Him) is the Creator, the Provider, Who provides us with sustenance, as He (the Almighty) states in the Holy Quran, {'Say, [O Prophet,] “Will I take any guardian other than Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, Who provides for all and is not in need of provision?”'}[Al-An'am 6:14]. All living creatures are in need of Allah, for He (Glory be to Him) is the One Who feeds us, provides us with food, and creates it. As for Allah, He does not need any of that. Therefore, we, His creations, are entirely dependent on Him, and the continuation of our lives depends entirely on receiving this blessing. Without it, we would cease to exist.

That is why when the Christians falsely claimed Isa [Jesus] (PBUH) to be a god, Allah said, {'The Messiah, son of Maryam [Mary], was no more than a messenger. Many messengers had [come and] gone before him, and his mother was a woman of truth. They both ate food'}[Al-Ma'idah 5:75]. This illustrates that Isa and his mother Maryam [Mary] (Peace be upon them) are human beings, just like the rest of creation, dependent on food for survival and in need of Allah (the Almighty), as their lives relied on this sustenance.

Allah (the Almighty) reveals His blessings upon us here by saying, {'Who provides for all and is not in need of provision?'}[Al-An'am 6:14]. This also reveals our weakness and need for Him, while He is the Self-Sufficient, the Powerful, Who has no needs like His creations. There are many wonders in human food that reflect the power, knowledge, wisdom, mercy, and generosity of Allah, the Almighty. These wonders amaze those who contemplate them and simultaneously help individuals grow in their faith, reinforcing the great and important principles that draw them closer to Allah.

Humans rely on two main sources for their food:

• The plant source makes up a significant portion of human nutrition, including various grains (such as wheat, barley, and corn), vegetables, fruits, legumes, and countless other plant types. So plants contribute extensively to human food consumption.
• The is also the animal source, which includes livestock, birds such as chickens, and the products humans derive from them, like milk, eggs, and the like.

The survival of animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels depends on plants, which are even essential to the benefits we draw from these animals. The same applies to other kinds of animals such as chickens. Therefore, the plant source is the fundamental source, as even the animal source relies on it. The plant-based nourishment reaches humans indirectly through animals such as livestock, which are part of what Allah (Glory be to Him) has permitted for human consumption.

Consider what it takes for bread to reach your table!

When contemplating the sources of our sustenance, we must recognise that this is a tremendous blessing from Allah. Many people may overlook the stages that food go through before becoming suitable for human consumption. For that piece of bread, plate of rice, or dish of lentils, among others to reach your table, multiple processes and various stages take place, along with the very workings of the universe—the earth, the sun, the moon. It is for this reason that Allah (Glory be to Him) draws our attention to that in the Holy Quran, saying, {'Let people then consider their food: How We pour down rain in abundance and meticulously split the earth open [for sprouts], causing grain to grow in it, as well as grapes and greens, olives and palm trees, dense orchards, and fruit and fodder—all as [a means of] sustenance for you and your animals'}['Abasa 80:24-32].'Fodder' here means the pastures for animals.

These blessed verses show the many processes involved—occurring through Allah's grace and guided by His divine management—and how essential they are for providing us with food and sustenance: First, Allah (the Almighty) says, {'How We pour down rain in abundance'}['Abasa 80:24]. As we said, the main source of human food is plants, and what plants require, above all, is water. For example, if we want to engage in farming or grow plants, water is indispensable, for it is vital for farming and for the life of trees and plants. And here comes the blessing of water and rain, which is a vital and immense blessing from Allah (the Almighty), Who sends down rain and then makes it flow as springs in the earth, ready for our use through wells, rivers, and other sources. All of that comes from Allah (Glory be to Him) and constitutes a profound and magnificent blessing, for which we are utterly dependent on Allah, His mercy, and His grace.

Then comes the soil suitable for growing crops. Who made it so? Who endowed it with the essential components that make it rich and suitable for cultivation? It is Allah (Glory be to Him), by His grace. And in this, we are wholly dependent on Him.

Then there are the plants themselves, in all their kinds—grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and aromatic varieties, among others. Who made them sprout, gave them life, and created them? It is Allah (Glory be to Him). Who split the seed to produce the plant? Who split the date seed to yield the palm? It is Allah (Glory be to Him). In short, we entirely depend on Allah (the Almighty) for all these sources and properties, and they are the creation of Allah and reflect His mercy and His grace.

In addition, plants serve as conduits, drawing from the soil the nutrients that the human body needs for its growth, repair, and energy. Allah has placed these elements in the earth itself, as mankind originates from the earth—from the very elements found in the soil. Thus, we are nourished by these very elements through the plants. The process is divinely orchestrated so elements move from the soil and water into the plants, which then reach us through fruits, vegetables, legumes, and so on. Once ingested, the body extracts these nutrients to nourish itself in various ways: Some nutrients support growth or aid in repair, and others provide the energy needed for activity, strength, and vitality. This is a magnificent blessing from Allah (Glory be to Him), with water and soil playing a vital role.

The sun plays a vital role too. It is well known that plants rely on sunlight. Through photosynthesis, solar energy is absorbed into the plant and reaches us. There is also a role for air, for temperature, and for the movement of the earth itself, which brings about the cycle of seasons.

Across the seasons—and even within them—certain times suit particular crops: a season for wheat, for barley, for maize; another for tomatoes; and others for various fruit trees. There are also seasons for the ripening of fruit, their blossoming, and more besides.

These seasons arise from the earth's movement around itself and around the sun, as the position and orientation of the entire earth keep changing in relation to the sun, and there is also movement beyond the earth, within the broader scope of the universe. As a result, the right time comes in some regions for planting certain crops, sowing specific seeds, or caring for particular fruit trees so they can bear fruit again. This is all part of the movement of the universe as a whole.

Allah (Glory be to Him) has also provided signs for agricultural seasons through the stars. Despite the vast number of stars and their distance from the earth, there are some stars that mark the right time for growing certain plants. These stars have recognised names among farmers and in astronomy, and they are used for identifying different agricultural seasons for different crops. This is all part of Allah's meticulous planning for the entire universe, and there are also other signs such as the sun and the conjunction of the moon with a particular star. Moreover, seasons also vary from one country to another; the season for one crop in one place may be the season for another crop elsewhere. This reflects a vast, intricate, and perfect system designed by Allah, the Almighty.

The divine planning in relation to food and its role in economic activity

Regarding food itself, Allah (Glory be to Him) has made lawful for us all the good things, and they are countless. The range of permissible foods is extensive, while the prohibited items are limited in comparison. This is a mark of honour for humanity, as Allah desires for us what is beneficial, nourishing, and free from harm by its very nature, though it may be corrupted by human actions or affected by other human-related factors. By contrast, foods that may not suit the human body in terms of impact, appearance, or taste are forbidden, as they are deemed harmful based on divine law, rather than human whims.

Allah has made lawful for us the good things, and the list of good things, as mentioned earlier, is vast and distinctive. All the foods that Allah has permitted for humankind share the following features:

• They have a pleasing appearance, not repulsive or ugly in form, such that people would feel disgust and aversion upon seeing them.
• Typically, they have diverse flavours that suit human tastes, ranging from sweet to sour and beyond, which can also vary according to people's natures and desires, even in a broad sense.
• Additionally, the nutritional benefits of these foods provide the human body with what it needs for growth, energy, strength, and to satisfy hunger, among other things.
• Most of these foods also have pleasant scents, as seen with fruits and some vegetables. While some may be less appealing or even have a slightly unpleasant scent, they are generally acceptable to people.
• They also taste good. The taste of fruits, for example, is something people truly enjoy and delight in.
• Moreover, Allah has made them free from harm in their natural state, as this is a key feature of good foods. By their very nature, they are safe and beneficial, unless altered by human intervention, as we mentioned, or due to a health condition that may prevent benefiting from them.

When it comes to food types and the realm of sustenance, there is also a vast area for livelihoods and economic activity. A significant part of people's livelihoods, their means of earning, and their trade and economic activity is directed towards this field of food. There is a multitude of activities, factories, and diverse sectors dedicated to food production. Human engagement with food is essentially a productive endeavour, where it is Allah who creates the food for you, and people work within the parameters of what Allah has provided them and continues to provide for their livelihoods.

At each stage of production, there are vast areas of trade, economic activity, and manufacturing, including canning, presentation, cooking, restaurant services, and much more. From food itself, numerous derivatives are produced in a wide variety. This field plays a significant role in people's lives: in their livelihoods, in their economic circumstances, and in commercial and industrial activity. Additionally, this sector involves other practical aspects, with billions of people employed in the food production industry. It is of immense significance in human life. Finally, this food reaches your table after long stages, extensive work, and various processes that involve the movement of the earth and the universe around you. It is a truly wondrous blessing.

Exploring some Quranic discourse regarding this immense blessing

Therefore, the Holy Quran offers a broad reminder of Allah's blessings upon us in our food, in our sustenance, and in what He has brought forth for us. These reminders appear in multiple contexts throughout the Holy Quran, and we will discuss just a few briefly: Allah (Glory be to Him) says, {'And He is the One Who sends down rain from the sky, and with it We bring forth plants of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth clustered grain. And from palm trees come clusters of dates hanging within reach. [There are] also gardens of grapevines, olives, and pomegranates, alike and unlike. Look at their fruit as it yields and ripens! Indeed, in these are signs for people who believe'}[Al-An'am 6:99].

Indeed, there are numerous amazing signs:

• Signs that help us gain knowledge about Allah (Glory be to Him), as they reveal His power, knowledge, mercy, generosity, grace, creativity, and other attributes.
• Signs that remind us that just as Allah has provided us with care in the basic aspects of our lives—our food and sustenance—He will not abandon us when it comes to legislative guidance. He will guide us in the way we should organise the course of our lives, for if this aspect fails, it can spoil the rest of our affairs.

In many aspects, there are countless signs of Allah's guidance (Glory be to Him). This topic is expansive. Just consider the aesthetic aspects, such as the beauty of orchards and fruit farms at every stage: You can see the plants when they are still green before their flowers appear, or you may see them when they are in bloom or when they bear fruit and go through different stages, from when the fruit first appears to when it ripens and is ready for harvest. All these stages are remarkable signs, beautiful and delightful to witness. Similarly, when we observe different types of crops, fruits, and vegetables as they grow, we see both the beautiful sight and the amazing signs present at each stage. {'And from palm trees come clusters of dates hanging within reach'}[Al-An'am 6:99]: That is, the spadix that contains the dates when it emerges. A hundred years ago, there were over thirty-five types of grapes around Sana'a alone. Imagine that on a global scale, with an incredibly vast number of grape varieties. {'Look at their fruit as it yields'}[Al-An'am 6:99]—at that stage, observe how it appears, and you will witness the amazing signs—{'and ripens'}[Al-An'am 6:99].

Allah (Glory be to Him) says, {'Indeed, Allah is the One Who causes seeds and fruit stones to sprout'}[Al-An'am 6:95]. When it comes to planting, a person only tills the land and places seeds into the soil. However, who is it that cleaves the grain open and causes the plant to sprout? It is Allah, the Almighty. The same applies to the date seed—who splits it open, brings forth life from it, and creates from it a palm tree that grows into a big, tall, and strong tree from just a tiny seed? It is Allah (Glory be to Him). {'He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. That is Allah! How can you then be deluded [from the truth]?'}[Al-An'am 6:95].

Man's role in relation to these great blessings is to benefit from them by utilising them in productive activities—activities through which Allah has opened wide doors of provision. In other words, these blessings are not meant to be burdens on humans. The very productive role a person plays is not meant to be a source of hardship or suffering. Allah does not want to make you suffer just for that. Rather, this is a vast domain, full of dynamic movement in life, filled with widely opened opportunities for provision, and rich with potential for production and creativity. It encompasses many dimensions. The details and aspects related to this domain are so numerous that even if one were to discuss them in hundreds of lectures, they would not be fully covered or counted, as these are vast areas in human life.

Allah (Glory be to Him) says, {'Have you considered what you sow? Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who do so?'}[Al-Waqi'ah 56:63-64]. Here lies a question: Are you the one who created those crops, that vegetation, those plants—or is He Allah? Everyone says that it is Allah. Who could ever claim such a thing for himself? You—just as we've said—merely till the earth, plant the seed or the sapling, and that's it. However, the One Who gives it life, nurtures it, and causes it to grow, to mature, and to bear fruit is Allah, the Almighty.

{'If We willed, We could simply reduce this [harvest] to chaff, leaving you to lament, "We have truly suffered a [great] loss"'}[Al-Waqi'ah 56:65-66]. If Allah so willed, He could reduce it to nothing but dry, shattered debris with no life. This could happen by simply withholding water from you or through any affliction that strikes the crops. They would wither, crumble, and become lifeless—no longer yielding fruit, no longer of any use to you. All that remains for you is words: {'leaving you to lament, "We have truly suffered a [great] loss"'}[Al-Waqi'ah 56:65-66]. You would be left with nothing but useless talk, empty words with no benefit. You would have no power to fix the damage, no solution at hand—only sorrowful explanations of your loss: {'leaving you to lament, "We have truly suffered a [great] loss"'}[Al-Waqi'ah 56:65-66]. You would face a substantial loss; everything is gone. Thus, you turn to complaining, grieving. And this serves as a reminder that Allah (Glory be to Him) is the One Who grants these blessings. They are from Him alone.

The great blessing: {'We have provided you with fresh water to drink'}

He also says, {'He is the One Who provides me with food and drink'}[Ash-Shu'ara 26:79]. This is yet another blessing: the blessing of water for drinking, since it is one of the essentials of human life. A person depends on water for many purposes, but above all, first and foremost, for drinking. His life depends on it as well. And it is Allah Who gives us drink, just as He said, {'We have provided you with fresh water to drink'}[Al-Mursalat 77:27]. This water is fresh and pleasant tasting that you find enjoyable, and it quenches your thirst.

A person truly feels these blessings, especially in moments of hunger. When a person eats food after being extremely hungry, he tastes it differently and becomes aware of this divine blessing and the nutritional value of food. It renews his energy and strength. Likewise, after enduring severe thirst, when a person finally drinks water, he also tastes it differently and becomes aware of the blessing of Allah in that moment. Water is a tremendous blessing and an absolute necessity for human life, for it is essential for your survival and that of all other living creatures. It is a blessing in itself and the foundation for many other blessings, and its uses are vast, as we mentioned earlier.

Allah (Glory be to Him) created water in a form that is perfectly suited for humankind. It is a unique liquid, distinct from all others, and this is clear to every human: Water is unlike any other fluid. It is highly suitable for the human body, and people drink it with ease—its taste, essence, and form are all pleasing. It even harmonises with man's very nature. Its appearance—whether as it falls as rain, flows in rivers, or rests in wells—is amazing, unless man pollutes it, in which case the problem arises from human action.

Allah says, {'And We send down pure rain from the sky'}[Al-Furqan 25:48]. It even has purifying properties, and by its very nature, it is clean and pure—not a filthy or unpleasant liquid. {'So that We give life to a lifeless land and that We give it for drink to many cattle and humans from among Our creation'}[Al-Furqan 25:49]. Human life depends on it, as do the lives of the animals that benefit man—their survival hinges on drinking water.

Allah (the Almighty) says, {'Have you considered the water you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who do so? If We willed, We could make it salty. Will you not then give thanks?'}[Al-Waqi'ah 56:69-70]. Had Allah willed, He could have made it intensely salty, leaving you unquenched and unable to tolerate it.

Therefore, it is by the grace of Allah (Glory be to Him) that He created water for us and provided it through this remarkable system—the cycle of rain, a wondrous blessing. He brings down rain from the clouds in a manner perfectly suited to our needs, leaving a positive impact on all aspects of life: on the earth, the soil, humankind, and more. It is a tremendous blessing.

Man falls short in showing gratitude for this blessing and fails to appreciate it. As the saying goes, 'Water is the cheapest available and the most precious when lost. When it is abundant, man takes it for granted. But when it is gone, he realises just how vital it is—how precious, how deeply its absence affects his economy, his livelihood, his daily affairs, even his psychological state. It is a great blessing from Allah (the Almighty).

Allah says, {'And We bring down rain from the sky for you to drink. It is not you who hold its reserves'}[Al-Hijr 15:22]. Indeed, it is Allah alone Who has made it available in the earth this way, as He says in another verse, {'Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky, channelling it through streams in the earth'}[Az-Zumar 39:21]. By His grace, rivers flow, springs emerge, and wells are filled.

But what if Allah were to make this water vanish underground? {'Say, “Consider this: if your water were to sink [into the earth], then who [else] could bring you flowing water?”'}[Al-Mulk 67:30]. Who? No one but Allah (Glory be to Him). In short, water is among the greatest of blessings—essential to human life—and it comes from Allah alone.

It is Allah Who benefits us and wards off harm. From Him come the very foundations of our existence and all the blessings we enjoy: {'Whatever blessing you have is from Allah'}[An-Nahl 16:53]. So why does man turn to others, taking them as partners besides Allah and equals to Him, though they lead him away from the path of Allah, from His religion, from His straight way?!

The Arab world and the water crisis: What caused the crisis?

Regarding water, Allah says, {'If they had taken to the right way, we would have given them abundant water to drink '}[Al-Jinn 72:16]. People are in need of water, and the Arabs are facing a water crisis in several aspects, including the lack of rainfall.

To address this crisis, people must turn to Allah (the Almighty), as they cannot live without His mercy and generosity. But what does this require? It requires adhering to the right path—the way and guidance of Allah—so that people may receive His abundant blessings in their lives.

Furthermore, there is another critical aspect concerning the Arab reality that contributed to this crisis, which involves their failure to fulfil their faith-based and jihad-related responsibilities. This failure allowed the Israeli enemy to establish an entity occupying Palestine and targeting the rest of the Arab world. One of the primary areas the Israeli enemy focuses on in its war against Arabs is the blessing of water: It is well known how the Israeli enemy uses water to increase the suffering of the Palestinian people, and it is not a secret what it is striving for in the areas surrounding Palestine.

In Jordan, the Israeli enemy sought to take control over the Jordan River and use that to exert leverage over the Jordanian people. Currently, the Israeli enemy sells water from the Jordan River to the Jordanian government, earning significant sums of money in dollars. Even more concerning is the fact that the Israeli enemy can stop supplying water to Jordan at any point, posing a serious threat to Jordan. In Syria, the Israeli enemy keeps expanding its control over Syrian territory, with a particular focus on the Yarmouk Basin—a region rich in water, dams, and vital water resources. In Lebanon, it seeks to gain control over the Litani River.

The Israeli enemy is focused on controlling rivers. This is its direct and openly declared goal under the banner of 'Greater Israel', which includes control over the Nile and the Euphrates: to bring the entire area from the Nile to the Euphrates under its control. It is targeting countries near and far. For example, even with the geographical barrier between the Israeli entity and Iraq, the Israelis are targeting Iraq through Turkey, using dams that affect the flow of the Euphrates River into Iraq. They are also working through Ethiopia to influence Egypt by constructing massive dams that disrupt the flow of the Nile River.

Simply put, the Israeli enemy exploits the blessing of water in its efforts against Arabs; even distant countries are not immune to its conspiracies through various means. It is a relentless enemy that uses water and food as instruments of war, imposing economic blockades and destabilising the economies of nations. It targets people in every aspect of their lives. This results from the failure of some to fulfil their jihadist duty, allowing an enemy fueled by hatred, criminality, and tyranny to act this way. It targets the Ummah in every way, even in its basic sustenance such as food and water. Therefore, the Ummah must turn to Allah and seek His guidance.

That is enough for today.

We ask Allah (Glory be to Him) to grant us success in seeking what pleases Him. O Allah! Have mercy on our virtuous martyrs, heal the wounded among us, and set free our captives. You are the Hearer of Prayer!

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.