CCU

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background
Food is one of the topics that have always been discussed among the
scholars. This is because food is the basic necessity for the well-being of human.
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is
usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as
carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is ingested by
an organism and assimilated by the organism's cells in an effort to produce
energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth.
Historically, people secured food through two methods: hunting and
gathering, and agriculture. Today, most of the food energy consumed by the
world population is supplied by the food industry.
Food safety and food security are monitored by agencies like the
International Association for Food Protection, World Resources Institute, World
Food Programmed, Food and Agriculture Organization, and International Food
Information Council. They address issues such as sustainability, biological
diversity, climate change, nutritional economics, population growth, water
supply, and access to food.
The right to food is a human right derived from the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), recognizing the "right to an
adequate standard of living, including adequate food", as well as the
"fundamental right to be free from hunger".
Many cultures have a recognizable cuisine, a specific set of cooking
traditions using various spices or a combination of flavors unique to that culture,
which evolves over time. Other differences include preferences (hot or cold, 1

spicy, etc.) and practices, the study of which is known as gastronomy. Many
cultures have diversified their foods by means of preparation, cooking methods,

The Perspective of Islamic View towards Malaysian Food

and manufacturing. This also includes a complex food trade which helps the
cultures to economically survive by way of food, not just by consumption. Some
popular types of ethnic foods include Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese,
American, Cajun, Thai, and Indian cuisine. Various cultures throughout the world
study the dietary analysis of food habits. While evolutionarily speaking, as
opposed to culturally, humans are omnivores, religion and social constructs such
as morality, activism, or environmentalism will often affect which foods they will
consume. Food is eaten and typically enjoyed through the sense of taste, the
perception of flavor from eating and drinking. Certain tastes are more enjoyable
than others, for evolutionary purposes.
In this case, we have to know the perspective of Islamic views towards the
food. The Qur'an contains many passages that give Muslims advice about
healthful
eating habits and nutrition. These passages not only relate to the preservation
of a human being's physical well- being, but also to his spiritual health.
Encouragement to eat only good and pure foods is combined with warnings to
remember Allah and avoid Satan. In this way, Muslims are shown that eating is
not merely an action to satisfy the hungry body, but that, as in all of man's
actions, it has an effect on how well or how poorly a Muslim will serve Allah
SWT.
Some places in the Qur'an specifically mention the benefits of certain foods.
They not only give a list of lawful foods, but also an idea of what types of things
is, in general, good for man. Specific foods that are mentioned include milk,
dates, grapes, honey, corn, grains, nutritious plants, olives and livestock. It is
also mentioned, in conjunction with these foods, that reflection on their life
cycles will tell man something about his own existence. 2


The Islamic perspective on genetically modified foods, much like that of
other religions, is complex and goes deeper than simply a determination of
whether a certain food is halal or not (although that is certainly part of it).

B. The Formulation of the Problem
Based on the perspective of Islamic view towards the food that has explained
above, the writer wants to know these that has related with the culture. The
problems which occurred are:
1. What is the food?
2. How does the perspective of Islamic view toward food?
3. What are the Malaysian foods?
4. How does the perspective of Islamic view toward Malaysian food?

C. The Aims of Study
According to the background above, there are some objectives of this study.
They are:
1. To know what the food in perspective of Islamic view is.
2. To know how the Malaysian food from perspective of Islamic view.

3


CHAPTER II
CONTENT

1. The food in perspective of Islamic view
As we know, the food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional
support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains
essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals.
The substance is ingested by an organism and assimilated by the organism's
cells in an effort to produce energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth.

Nutrition: Islamic Perspective
A highly important factor of health promotion is proper nutrition. Choosing
wholesome food and avoiding what is unwholesome are essential to health.
God says in the Quran: Eat of the good things which We have provided for you.
(2:173) Eat of what is lawful and wholesome on the earth. (2:168)
Describing the Prophet (pbuh) God says: He prohibits them from all that is foul.
(7:157)
To abstain from eating without a valid reason is contrary to health
protection. Hence, Islam does not approve of it. God says in the Quran: Do not
forbid yourselves the wholesome things God has made lawful for you. (5:87)
Healthy nutrition means having a balanced diet, in order to maintain the
balance that God has established in all matters, and to which reference is made
in the Quran: "And He enforced the balance. That you exceed not the bounds; but
observe the balance strictly, and fall not short thereof". (55:7-9)
Healthy nutrition means a diet balanced in quantity. Eating too much is contrary
to Islamic teachings. 4

In the Quran we read: Eat and drink, but avoid excess. (20:81)


According to a hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) said: "No human being fills a
container to worse effect than he fills his own stomach. It is sufficient for a
human being to have a few bites to keep him fit (which means that it is sufficient
to have only what one needs to maintain strength and well-being). If he must eat
(or according to another version "If a human being cannot resist the
temptation..."), then let him use one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-
third for breathing".
Another authentic hadith quotes the Prophet (pbuh) as saying: "The food of
one person will be sufficient for two, and the food of two people will be sufficient
for four, and the food of four will be sufficient for eight".
Healthy nutrition also means a diet balanced in its contents. This means
that it must have a mixture of the different types of food which God has
graciously provided for His creation, so that it satisfies all the body needs in
terms of proteins, fat, carbohydrates, salts and vitamins. Most of these are
mentioned in the Quran: He created cattle which give you warmth, benefits and
food to eat. (l6:5) It is He who subdued the seas, from which you eat fresh fish.
(16:l4)
It is recommended by nutritionists that to have a healthy diet most people
should be eating:
More fruit and vegetables
More starchy foods such as rice, bread, pasta (try to choose wholegrain
varieties when you can) and potatoes
Less fat, salt and sugar
Some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and pulses
It's also important to eat a variety of foods to make sure we get all the
nutrients our bodies need. 5


Top 5 practical tips
1. Start the day with a good breakfast - Eating breakfast can help curb the
cravings for the wrong kinds of food and maintains a steady blood sugar
level throughout the morning period.
2. Never skip lunch - Skipping lunch leads to a drop in energy levels,
alertness and coping ability. It can also slow metabolism which is self-
defeating if you are trying to lose weight.
3. Drink plenty of water - Water re-hydrates the body much better than
sugary fizzy drinks. If you are dehydrated you're likely to feel tired and
have a headache, which will slow you down.
4. Replace chocolates with fruit or a low-fat yoghurt - This will reduce your
day's calorie and fat count significantly and ensure that you are taking in
more vitamins and nutrients.
5. Ideally try to eat slowly and stop when you're full.

What are the main laws or beliefs relating to food?
Eating is a matter of faith in Islam. Muslim dietary practise is fundamentally
about obeying God. All practising Muslim believers obey God Almighty by eating
the allowed foods (halal) and avoiding the forbidden foods (haram) which are
mentioned in the Qur’an and in the sayings of the final prophet Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him). The following are a list of Muslim dietary practises.
Muslims follow these because it is God’s word in the Qur’an. The health benefits
(which are now apparent with the development of science) of the Muslim diet
merely qualify the wisdom of God’s word and shed light on God’s benevolence. It
is God’s commandments that are crucial; the health benefits are secondary.
Recite the name of God (Allah) before eating and thank God after finishing. It 6
is a good thing to eat by the right hand and in company. Muslims must
pronounce the name of Allah on all animals while slaughtering.


Think and contemplate in every item of food you eat by remembering God
the creator the Designer, The Organiser and the Provider. A prayer-like state
may be achieved in this way.
It is important to eat only when you are hungry. When you do eat, you
should not eat in excess. As advised by the Prophet, one should divide his / her
stomach into 3 parts - a third each for food, fluid, and respiration. Remember the
hungry when you eat. One could avoid going to hell by feeding a hungry dying
person or animal.
Halal pure healthy meat, chicken, fish, milk, olive oil and honey are highly
recommended in Islam

Healthy Eating: Islamic Perspective
Why it's essential for our physical and spiritual well-being
To live in Islam is not merely preparing for the Hereafter, but also to live a
complete way of life right here in this world. Hence, the question of healthy
living, which has become a much-discussed issue nowadays, is not new to
Muslims.
From an Islamic perspective health is viewed as one of the greatest blessings
that Allah has bestowed on mankind. It should be noted that the greatest
blessing after belief is health.
Health is indeed a favour that we take for granted. We should express
gratitude to Allah for bestowing us with health, and we should try our utmost to
look after it. Allah has entrusted us with our bodies for a predestined period of
time. He will hold us to account on how we looked after and utilised our bodies
and health.

7


The Importance of a balanced diet
Various verses and texts within Islam promote the eating of healthy
wholesome food and eating in moderation. Allah clearly states in the Quran:
"Eat of the good things which We have provided for you. (2:173) Eat of what is
lawful and wholesome on the earth." (2:168)
A healthy nutritious diet must also be balanced, in order to maintain the
balance that Allah has established in all things, this is addressed in the Quran
when Allah says:
"And He enforced the balance. That you exceed not the bounds; but observe the
balance strictly; and fall not short thereof." (55:7-9)
As we know, eating excessively causes harm to our systems. Many ailments
are related to uncontrolled eating habits such as, diabetes, vascular diseases,
stroke, heart attack etc. It has been said that the 'stomach is the home of ill
health' and is usually responsible in some way to ill health. Islam teaches us to
eat moderately:
"Eat and drink, but avoid excess." (20:81).
Over indulgence and wasting of food are further dissuaded in the Hadith of
the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him):
'"No human being has ever filled a container worse than his own stomach. The
son of Adam needs no more than a few morsels of food to keep up his strength,
doing so he should consider that a third of his stomach is for food, a third for drink
and a third for breathing." (Ibn Maja)

Physical and spiritual well-being
At a physical level, the Qur'an and the sunnah encourage healthy eating, and
at the same time forbid all substances that cause bodily harm: intoxicants, drugs, 8
and so forth. Fruits and vegetables, dates, yoghurt, milk, natural honey, black


seeds, and the like are especially emphasized for their nutritious quality and
health benefits.
From a spiritual angle, controlling our diet trains us in self-control. When
food is spread out in large delicious quantities and there is a temptation to gorge
ourselves, we are required to control our appetites and develop a sense of
moderation in eating.
With regards to moderation, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
"Muslims should be people who eat only when they are hungry." That is to say,
unnecessary snacks taken in between meals should be avoided. The Prophet also
said: "It is good to be always a little hungry." Thus, over-eating can be avoided.
Fasting in Ramadhan, apart from the spiritual and other self-control benefits
derived from it, also has health benefits. It cleanses and relaxes the stomach and
gives it a "rest from work" for about 16 hours a day for a month once a year.
Other than the Ramadhan fast, Muslims are urged to undertake voluntary fasting
as much as they could at any time throughout the year. Some Muslims make a
point to fast every Monday and Thursday following the Sunnah (practice) of the
Prophet. Fasting is also enabling a Muslim to lose fat and unnecessary weight.

2. Malaysian Foods
a. Culture of Malaysia
The culture of Malaysia draws on the varied cultures of the different people
of Malaysia. The first people to live in the area were indigenous tribes that still
remain; they were followed by the Malays, who moved there from mainland Asia
in ancient times. Chinese and Indian cultural influences made their mark when
trade began with those countries, and increased with immigration to Malaysia.
Other cultures that heavily influenced that of Malaysia include Persian, Arabic, 9
and British. The many different ethnicities that currently exist in Malaysia have
their own unique and distinctive cultural identities, with some crossover.


Arts and music have a long tradition in Malaysia, with Malay art dating back
to the Malay sultanates. Traditional art was centered on fields such as carving,
silversmithing, and weaving. Islamic taboos restricted artwork depicting
humans until the mid-20th century. Performing arts and shadow puppet shows
are popular, and often show Indian influences. Various influences can be seen in
architecture, from individual cultures in Malaysia and from other countries.
Large modern structures have been built, including the tallest twin buildings in
the world, the PETRONAS Twin Towers. Malaysian music has a variety of origins,
and is largely based around percussion instruments. Much early Malaysian
literature was based on Indian epics, which remained unchanged even as Malays
converted to Islam; this has expanded in recent decades. English literature
remained restricted to the higher class until the arrival of the printing press.
Locally created Chinese and Indian literature appeared in the 19th century.
Cuisine is often divided along ethnic lines, but some dishes exist which have
mixed foods from different ethnicities. Each major religious group has its major
holy days declared as official holidays. Official holidays differ by state; the most
widespread one is Hari Merdeka, which celebrates the independence of Malaya.
Although festivals often stem from a specific ethnic background, they are
celebrated by all people in Malaysia. Traditional sports are popular in Malaysia,
while it has become a powerhouse in international sports such as badminton.
Malaysia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998, the first Commonwealth
Games where the torch passed through more countries than England and the
host.
The Malaysian government has taken the step of defining Malaysian Culture
through the "1971 National Culture Policy", which defined what was considered
official culture, basing it around Malay culture and integrating Islamic influences. 10
This especially affected language; only Malay texts are considered official


cultural texts. Government control over the media is strong, and most media
outlets are related to the government in some way.
b. Malaysian Food
Malaysian Food is not one particular distinction of food but a culinary
diversity originating from its multi-ethnic population of Malay, Indian, Eurasian,
Chinese, Nyonya and the Indigenous peoples of Borneo. A brief look into the
past and how this multi-ethnic country came to be, is essential in order to
comprehend how such a cosmic array of food, has now come to be known all
over the world as 'Malaysian Food'. Presented here are some of the various
delicious and popular dishes from this rainbow of gastronomic spectrum, with
pictures and detailed recipes, from each unique ethnic kitchen.
Malaysia's cuisine reflects the multiethnic makeup of its population, and is
defined by its diversity. Many cultures from Malaysia and the surrounding areas
have greatly influenced Malaysian cuisine, with strong influence from Malay,
Chinese, Indian, Thai, Javanese, and Sumatran cuisines. Much of this is due to
Malaysia being a part of the ancient spice route. The cuisine is very similar to
that of Singapore and Brunei, and also bears resemblance to Filipino cuisine. The
different states of Malaysia have varied dishes, and often the food in Malaysia is
different from the original dishes.
Sometimes food not found in its original culture is assimilated into another;
for example, Chinese restaurants in Malaysia often serve Malaysian dishes. Food
from one culture is sometimes cooked using styles taken from another. This
means that although many Malaysian dishes originate from another culture, they
have their own identities. Often the food in Malaysia is different from the
original dishes; for example, Chinese food is often sweeter in Malaysian versions
than the original. The Peranakans, Chinese who moved to Malaysia centuries 11
ago, have their own unique cuisine that Chinese cooking techniques with Malay
ingredients.


During a dinner food is not served in courses, but all at once. Rice is popular
in many Malaysian dishes. Chilli is commonly found in Malaysian dishes,
although this does not make them spicy. Noodles are common. Pork is rarely
used in Malaysia, because of the large Muslim population. Some celebrations
have food associated with them, and mooncakes are often eaten during
Mooncake Festival.
Here, there is some Malaysia’s cuisine:
1. Nasi Lemak
A popular dish based on rice in Malaysia is
nasi lemak: rice steamed with coconut milk to
give it a rich fragrance, and served with fried
anchovies, peanuts, sliced cucumber, hard
boiled eggs and a spicy chilli paste known as
sambal. For a more substantial meal, nasi
lemak can also be served with a choice of curries, or a spicy meat stew called
rendang. Of Malay origin, nasi lemak is often called the national dish. Although it
is traditionally a breakfast dish, because of the versatility of nasi lemak in being
able to be served in a variety of ways, it is now often eaten at any time of the day.
The Malaysian Indian variety of the sambal tends to be a bit more spicy, and the
Malay sambal in a nasi lemak tends to be a bit sweeter. Nasi lemak is not to be
confused with nasi dagang, which is sold on the east coast of Malaysia —
Terengganu and Kelantan — although both nasi lemak and nasi dagang can
usually be found sold side-by-side for breakfast.
2. Noodles
Noodles are another popular food, particularly in Malaysian Chinese cuisine,
but used by other groups as well. Noodles such as bi hoon (米粉, Hokkien: bí- 12
hún, Malay: bihun; rice vermicelli), kuay teow (粿條, Hokkien: kóe-tiâu) or ho
fun (河粉, Cantonese: ho4 fan2; flat rice noodles), mee (麵 or 面, Hokkien: mī,


Malay: mi; yellow noodles), mee suah (麵線 or 面线, Hokkien: mī-sòaⁿ; wheat

vermicelli), yee meen (伊麵 or 伊面, Cantonese: ji1 min6; golden wheat noodles),
langka (冬粉, Hokkien: tang-hún, Cantonese: dung1 fan2; transparent noodles
made from mung beans), and others provide a source of carbohydrate besides
the ubiquitous serving of rice that accompanies every meal.
3. Pork
Pork is largely consumed by the non-Muslim community in Malaysia like the
Malaysian Chinese, natives like Iban, Kadazan, Orang Asli and expatriates. All
Malaysian Malays are Muslim and therefore do not consume pork since Islam
forbids it but does not prohibit others from producing and consuming pork
products. Pork can be bought in wet markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets.
During the Nipah virus epidemic, over a million pigs were culled in an effort to
contain the outbreak.
4. Fruit
Malaysia's climate allows for fruit to be grown all year round. Most tropical
fruits are either grown in Malaysia or imported from neighbouring countries.
The demand for fruits is generally quite high. Some notable fruits include:
The durian, a fruit with a spiky outer shell and a characteristic odour is a
local tropical fruit that is notable because it provokes strong emotions either
of loving it or hating it. It is also known as the "King of the Fruits".
The rambutan also has a distinctive appearance, being red or yellow in
colour (when ripe) and having fleshy pliable spines or 'hairs' on its outer
skin.
The mangosteen, often called the "Queen of the Fruits".
The lychee, which has a bumpy red skin and sweet, sometimes made with
13
tea to make it sweet. They are sold all year round.
The mango, a refreshing fruit


The longan, which name translates to 'Dragon Eye' in Chinese, and is called
mata kucing in Malay (literally 'cat's eye') and it's similar to lychee
The guava, a fruit that comes in two varieties : "jambu air", meaning water
guava and "jambu batu", meaning rock guava. It is a crisp and sweet tasting
fruit.
5. Typical festive fare during Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Haji (clockwise from
bottom left): beef soup, nasi himpit (compressed rice cubes), beef rendang,
and sayur lodeh.
Apam balik - bread like puff with sugar, corn, and coarse nut in the
middle.
Ayam percik - grilled chicken with spicy sauce.
Ayam goreng kunyit - deep fried chicken, marinated in a base of turmeric
and other seasonings.
Ikan bakar - grilled/barbecued fish with either chilli, kunyit (turmeric) or
other spice based sauce.
Ikan pari - barbecued stingray
Ikan asam pedas - A sour stew of fish (usually mackerel), tamarind, chili,
tomatoes, okra and Vietnamese coriander (Malay: daun kesum).
Kangkung belacan is water convolvulus wok-fried in a pungent sauce of
shrimp paste (belacan) and hot chilli peppers. Various other items are
cooked this way, including petai (which is quite bitter when eaten raw;
some older generation Malays still eat it as is) and yardlong beans.
Keropok lekor, a specialty of the state of Terengganu and other states on
the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, is a savoury cake made from a
combination of batter and shredded fish. Sliced and fried just before
serving, it is eaten with hot sauce. 14
Kuih (plural: kuih-muih) is usually a selection of cakes, pastries and
sweetmeats eaten as a snack during the morning or during midday, and


are an important feature during festive occasions. It is a tradition shared
by both the Malay and the Peranakan communities. Some example
include:
o Onde onde - small round balls made from glutinous rice flour with
pandan [screwpine] leaves essence, filled with palm sugar and
rolled in fresh grated coconut.
o Kuih talam - steamed layered coconut pudding made of rice flour,
sago flour and coconut milk is cooked by steaming. Pandan leaves
lends aroma and the green color to one layer. A white coconut
layer goes on top.
o Pulut inti - a kind of steamed 'dry' rice pudding made from
glutinous rice & coconut milk. It is traditionally wrapped in
banana leaves folded into a pyramid shape, and topped with fresh
grated coconut sweetened with palm sugar.
o Layer Cake - a sweet cake with many layers

Mamak Culture
Mamak (Indian Muslims) dishes have developed a distinctly Malaysian style.
Available throughout the country, the omnipresent Mamak stalls or restaurants
are particularly popular among the locals as they offer a wide range of food and
some outlets are open 24 hours a day. A type of Indian Muslim meal served
buffet-style at specialist Mamak eateries is called nasi kandar (analogous to the
Indonesian nasi padang , where you pay for what you have actually eaten), white
rice or briyani rice served with other dishes of curry either with chicken, fish,
beef, or mutton, and usually accompanied with pickled vegetable and papadums.

15


CHAPTER III
CONCLUSION

A. Conclusion
Food is an essential prerequisite for life and as such the primary goal of
eating and drinking is to enable the body to function normally. With food, or the
lack of it, the destinies of individuals are greatly influenced. We should "eat to
live", and "not live to eat". The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) recommended
even for pious man the quantity of food "which is just sufficient to keep his back-
bone erect".
Nutrition is a matter of life-long eating habits which become set with age.
Dietary patterns also vary from one person to another according to the
difference of cultural and geographic environment to another. To ensure a
proper supply of the essential nutrients, we must combine food sources of these
nutritients in the right amounts. This results in a healthy well-balanced diet.
The Qur'an contains many passages that give Muslims advice about healthful
eating habits and nutrition. These passages not only relate to the preservation
of a human being's physical well- being, but also to his spiritual health.
Encouragement to eat only good and pure foods is combined with warnings to
remember Allah and avoid Satan. In this way, Muslims are shown that eating is
not merely an action to satisfy the hungry body, but that, as in all of man's
actions, it has an effect on how well or how poorly a Muslim will serve Allah
SWT.
Since a Muslim wants to direct his activities towards serving Allah in the best
way, the object of eating is to nourish his or her body so that it will be in the best
possible condition for doing so. In several verses, the Arabic word "tayyeb" is 16

used to describe healthful food. Tayyeb is translated as "good" and it means
pleasing to the taste as well as pure, clean, wholesome and nourishing. Foods


which are not tayyeb and which cause one to lose control of the body and mind
will not help one to prosper. They distract from the worship of Allah and cause
one to lose sight of why it is necessary to eat at all. Thus, a Muslim should strive
to get the vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and so forth that his body
needs to function well and avoid falling into eating habits that slow him down or
make him weak.
As we see in the second chapter, food is very important for our life. Food is
any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually
of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as
carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is ingested by
an organism and assimilated by the organism's cells in an effort to produce
energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth.
The Malaysian food in perspective of Islamic view can show by the culture of
Malaysia and the kinds of Malaysia’s cuisines. In fact, as most Malays (not all
Malaysians are Malay!) are Muslim, pork or any food that comes from a pig is
never used in Malay cuisine. Even cutlery and crockery used to serve Muslims
must not have been used to serve pork.
They are also prohibited from consuming the flesh of predatory animals and
predatory birds (ducks are allowed), rodents, reptiles, worms, amphibians
(frogs) and the flesh of dead animals. Muslims can only eat meat that is halal.
Halal is a way of slaughtering according to the Islamic rites.

B. Suggestion
We have to respect the other cultures and should not consider that our
culture is better than the other culture, especially in our perspective as Moslem
towards Malaysia’s food or the others. If we do not respect to them, they do not 17
also respect to our culture. We have to choose the right foods based on our faith.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/food#p_search
http://www.sabahtourism.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysian_cuisine#mw-head

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