THE ART OF COOKING
Between Creativity and Islamic Guidelines
Cooking is one of the arts that many people love and in which they express great creativity. This has resulted in the creation of quick recipes, the blending of cultures and popular and international cuisines, due to the openness brought about by social media and the Internet.
A Wide and Diverse Field
Cooking has become an independent field in which both men and women work. It also includes restaurants and large companies, such as: fast food, street food that is prepared and sold in public places.
A Source of Income and Benefit to Society
This field has become a source of income for many people around the world and opens the doors of lawful earning for segments of society, especially those without formal education. It benefits the community in terms of creating job opportunities and meeting people's needs.
A Variety of Arts and Specialties
The art of cooking has expanded and now includes many areas, such as:
- Desserts
- Main dishes
- Salads and beverages
- Appetizers, baked goods, and more
Recipes are also attributed to the countries where they originated, such as Turkish, Lebanese, French, Indian cuisine, etc.
Islamic Guidelines in the Art of Cooking
Commitment to Halal
A cook must not use in his or her recipes anything that Allah has forbidden, such as:
- Pork
- Its fat
- Alcohol
- Or anything else that is a means to sin.
Warning Against Pork
Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) said about cooking pork for non-Muslims:
“Cooking pork and serving it to guests, or to someone who employs you to do this, is an evil act and is cooperating in a sin; for Allah has forbidden pork for them as He has forbidden it for the Muslims.”
Warning Against Alcohol
In Islamic Fatawa Network:
“It is forbidden for a Muslim to consume alcohol, whether as a drink or in food, in any form, small or large, pure or mixed with other things... The prohibition remains in alcohol even if it is mixed with something else, unless it has been treated before mixing in a way that leaves no part of alcohol.”
Maintaining Health
One should not prepare anything that harms human health.
It is recommended to choose healthy and clean ingredients and to maintain cleanliness in preparation and cooking.
Avoiding Extravagance and Waste
Food should not be wasted or thrown away; rather, it should be estimated according to need. It is recommended to give in charity any surplus, out of care for those who do not have enough for their daily needs.
Allah (ﷻ) says:
“O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but do not be excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.”
(Al-A'raf 7:31)
In Summary
The art of cooking is a great blessing and a beneficial means of earning a living and serving others. When a Muslim observes the Islamic guidelines in it, avoids what is forbidden, and refrains from extravagance, his work becomes one of the ways of doing good—and it may even become an act of worship for which he is rewarded, if his intention is sincere.
References:
- The ruling on a Muslim cooking pork for non-Muslims.
- Islamweb, Fatwa No. 32587.
- Al-A'raf (7:31).
Written by: Manal Mohamed Abuelazaem
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