Reviewed by: Ustadha Heba Zaki Ahmed
Wastage of food
Food waste or food loss is food material that is discarded or unable to be used. Various political organisations and entities have their own definition of what constitutes for the wastage of food. The causes of wasted food are numerous.
And they occur at the stages of production; processing, and retailing. A closer look will make us horrified at the amount of food wasted by humans;, who simultaneously complain that food is not enough for the ever increasing world population.
Wastage of food, Facts and figures:
Roughly one-third of food produced for human consumption is wasted, or lost; annually on the global scale. This is equivalent to 1.3 billion tons of food. Industrialized and developing nations waste almost similar amount of food yearly, 670 million and 630 million tons respectively.
Food wasted by the rich countries altogether; is roughly equal to the amount of food produced by the entire sub-Saharan Africa! An average consumer in developed nations is reported to waste one-third to half of the food material purchased.
Imagine, this means for every 3 grocery bags bought at a local food store; one will end up in the bin!. :(
Wastage of food, Islamic rulings
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 31:
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
“O children of Adam! Attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer. and eat and drink and be not extravagant. surely He does not love the extravagant.
Reference: Surah al-A’araaf 7:31.
عَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِىِّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَ « إِذَا أَكَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَلْعَقْ أَصَابِعَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَدْرِى فِى أَيَّتِهِنَّ الْبَرَكَةُ »
Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said,
“When one of you eats, he must lick his fingers (after finishing); for he does not know in which of them lies blessing.”
Reference: Sahih al Muslim, Jami Tirmidhi.
عَنْ جَابِرٍ أَنَّ النَّبِىَّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَ « إِذَا أَكَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ طَعَامًا فَسَقَطَتْ لُقْمَةٌ فَلْيُمِطْ مَا رَابَهُ مِنْهَا ثُمَّ لْيَطْعَمْهَا وَلاَ يَدَعْهَا لِلشَّيْطَانِ »
Sayyidina Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said.
“When one of you eats his meal and a morsel falls down. he must pick it up and remove the doubtful portion and eat the rest. He must not leave it for the devil.”
Reference: Jami’ Tirmidhi, authenticated by al-Albani.
Lives in moderation:
Islam guides believers to live their lives in moderation, regardless of whatever they intend to do. If Allah Subhanah has blessed someone with abundance. the guidance of Islam states that neither should one live in a miserly state. nor should one live in excess as a spendthrift. but be conscious and grateful for the favors of Allah. And take the moderate path between the two.
Don't Waste Anything:
Islam absolutely prohibits wastage in every aspect of one’s lives. whether it be with one’s time, one’s energy, one’s celebrations, one’s wealth, or even one’s food. If Allah Subhanah has blessed one among His believing slaves with more than his needs. then one must be grateful to his Lord and as a sign of his gratefulness and appreciation.So, he must strive to share and distribute the excess among the poor and needy of society.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Bani Israel verses 27:
“Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Shaytaan; and the Shaytaan is to his Lord, ungrateful.”
Such is the abhorrence and hatred of wastage in the sight of Allah Subhanah. So, that He has declared the wasters and the spendthrifts as the ‘brothers’ of the Shaytaan. who is ever ungrateful to the Lord!.
The Global Impact of Wastage of Food
The wastage of food is not merely an individual issue but a global crisis with severe environmental and social consequences. Discarding food contributes to the growing problem of landfills, where decomposing food releases harmful methane gas, a significant contributor to global warming.
Additionally, the resources used to produce this wasted food, including water, labor, and energy, are squandered, further straining the planet. Addressing food wastage is essential to mitigating these environmental impacts and ensuring that resources are used wisely and sustainably.
Moreover, while food wastage persists, millions of people around the world continue to suffer from hunger and malnutrition. This disparity highlights the moral obligation to prevent food waste.
By redistributing surplus food to those in need and adopting more mindful consumption habits, we can play a role in reducing global hunger and promoting a more equitable food distribution system. Every small effort to curb food wastage contributes to alleviating the broader issue of food insecurity.
Practical Steps to Avoid Wastage of Food
Preventing the wastage of food requires a collective effort from individuals, families, and communities. At the household level, planning meals carefully, storing food properly, and using leftovers creatively can significantly reduce food waste. Shopping mindfully and avoiding impulsive purchases also ensures that food is consumed rather than discarded. At a broader level, raising awareness and supporting initiatives that tackle food wastage can amplify the impact.
Islamic teachings also emphasize the importance of appreciating and valuing the blessings of food. Simple acts, such as eating in moderation, picking up fallen food as taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him), and sharing excess food with the needy, reflect gratitude toward Allah’s provisions. These practices not only minimize waste but also align with the principles of kindness, humility, and responsibility.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The wastage of food is not only an environmental and social issue but also a spiritual one. As stewards of Allah’s creation, we are entrusted with the responsibility to manage resources wisely and avoid extravagance. By adopting mindful consumption, following Islamic guidance, and sharing with those in need, we can fulfill our duty to reduce food wastage and honor the blessings bestowed upon us.
Let this reminder inspire us to live with gratitude and moderation, recognizing that every morsel of food is a gift from Allah. Through collective efforts, we can contribute to a world where food is valued, shared, and utilized effectively, leaving no room for waste. May Allah guide us to make conscious choices and become better caretakers of His provisions. Ameen.