Does earning through haram ways and/or eating haram food have material effects on human body?

- Does eating haram food have material effects like loss of health and illness on human body?
- If yes, what and how?

Dear Brother / Sister,

- It is not easy to say that haram food is – definitely – a factor that harms material health because we know that many people who eat haram food can be healthier than people who eat halal food.

However, the penalty of haram food is not delayed for some people. Therefore, it is said, “This man fell into this bad position because he ate haram food.” In fact, it may have some good aims like being atonement for that person’s sins, leading him to repentance and leading a better life after that.

As a matter of fact, the following is stated in a hadith:

 “The world is Paradise for unbelievers and a prison for believers.” (see Muslim, Zuhd, 1)

One meaning of this hadith is as follows: Believers usually are punished in the world for the bad deeds they commit; therefore, the world is like Hell, a prison and a dungeon for them. Unbelievers receive the rewards of their good deeds in this world – in the form of health, abundance, ranks, positions, etc. Therefore, the world is a kind of Paradise for them.

- However, food has effects on not only the biological but also the psychological structure of man. The food that is – absolutely – haram like alcohol and pork are definitely harmful because it is not possible to think that what Allah prohibits is not harmful. Otherwise, prohibitions will be unnecessary.

On the other hand, we can think that things that are not essentially haram like something stolen, something robbed, and money gained through gambling and interest have negative effects on the human body – even if it has not been proved scientifically. For instance, if a person eats bread obtained legitimately, Allah will transform it into blessed and healthy food for that person but if a person eats bread obtained through gambling, robbing, stealing and interest, He may transform it into poison for the body. As a matter of fact, the following is stated in a hadith:

“A person becomes deprived of sustenance due to the sins he commits.” (Ajluni, 2/296).

- It is objectionable in various aspects to make definite judgements regarding such issues because in this world of testing, many righteous people become exposed to misfortunes and problems while many people who devour haram things lead a healthy and good life.

“A believer is exposed to misfortunes.” (Ajluni, 2/295)

According to the hadith above, it will not be appropriate to regard worldly criteria like health as a sign of being righteous or sinful people.

- Finally, we regard it useful to quote some verses that will shed light on the issue:

“And were it not that (all) men might become of one (evil) way of life, We would provide, for everyone that blasphemes against (Allah) Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses and (silver) stair-ways on which to go up, And (silver) doors to their houses, and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline, And also adornments of gold. But all this were nothing but conveniences of the present life: The Hereafter, in the sight of thy Lord is for the Righteous.” (az-Zukhruf, 43/33-35)

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