I have been meaning to write this article for a while. Well … actually planned to write a book about this very topic but never got around to it so let me start by writing an humble article about health, fitness and Islam. Insyallah, I will provide you with examples, phrases from the Quran that links fitness to you as a Muslim.

Why Should a Muslim be Fit?

Islam merupakan agama dengan merakumi seluruh kehidupan termasuk jasmani and a Muslim has responsibilities in all aspect of life. I for one … I am a son, a brother, a husbang and going to be father. I have responsibilities that require me to be healthy so that I can perform my duties the best I am. As a Muslim, it is my responsibility to take care of my health so that I can take care of others.

As a Muslim, it is my responsibility to take care of my health so that I can take care of others.

Example: Bagi mereka yang ingin menunaikan umrah dan haji, sudah tentu mereka perlukan tenaga dan kecergasan yang baik. Alhamdulillah saya sudah beberapa kali dapat menunaikan umrah but kadang2 sedih melihat ramai yang kurang upaya dari segi kecergasan fizikal sehingga menggunakan kereta instead of going by foot or pitam etc pun ada. Memang kesian but ramai, incl Malaysians could do a lot more for themselves.

Dalam satu hadith, ia mengatakan: a third of our stomach should be for food, a third for drink and a third to help us breathe. From this, we can learn that it is advised not to eat a lot.

In a sunnah it said that Nabi Muhammad s.a.w was physically fit. Of course not through a gym but through living as a Muslim. Health and fitness is not just about going to the gym. Health and fitness is a lifestyle. Being a Muslim is a lifestyle. For me, it is simple: being a Muslim is also in my image, my representation …. for that, I need to take care of my health.

Five Examples of Health and Fitness in Islam

1. 1.

   Haji and Umrah Well again, probably the simplest example. In order for your to perform the duties of umrah and haji successfully, you need to be physically fit.

2. 2.

   Puasa (Fasting) Fasting has many benefits (kelebihan). It requires focus, discipline, moderation, self-control, teach you to allow your body, mind and soul to rest/heal. Fasting teaches you about balance and much more.

3. 3.

   Prayer If you think about it – if each prayer takes 4-5 minits than in actuality you are doing 20-25min of “exercise” per day. Although it is not “real” exercise, no matter what age you are, you need to keep active to stand, kneel and pray.

4. 4.

   Sunnah There are various examples that symbolize exercise, health and taking care of yourself in the life and teachings of Nabi Muhammad SAW. As Muslims, we strive to follow in Nabi SAW’s footstep, why not follow in being healthy and fit!?

5. 5.

   Quran Just like the sunnah, the Quran is our life guides. Although it does not directly tell you to hit the gym or go on a diet, it tells you to not be wasteful, take care of yourself and to be healthy. For that, exercise and fitness is key.