Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 219
219 morals are deeply affected by the food he eats. On the contrary, the laws of Islam regulating food are criticised as purposeless. The fact, however, that the food one eats affects one’s morals can hardly be de- nied. The Holy Quran says, 'O Apostles, eat those things that are pure, and you will be enabled to act righteously. ' 125 This command is addressed to Prophets and apostles, but it is one of the rules of the Holy Quran that whenever a Prophet is given a commandment, it is meant for his followers. In obe- dience to this principle the Holy Quran has laid down directions and restrictions relating to food, which non-Muslims imagine to be mere ceremoni- ous matters, but which have a great moral signifi- cance. It is curious that while it is admitted that the properties of vegetables and mineral foods have their effect upon man, such effect is denied in the case of animals. There is no reason, however, why a man should not be affected by the peculiar proper- ties or habits of an animal whose flesh he eats, and I am convinced, that the time is not far when this truth will be universally accepted. It has been estab- lished that the eating of the flesh of certain animals encourages nudism, and that the flesh of certain other animals encourages unnatural vice and perver- sions. Further research in this direction will confirm the principle on which Islamic restrictions concern- ing food are based. The principle laid down by Is- lam is that as man must develop all his natural in- 125 Al-Mu’min u n, 23:52.