A reflection on Surah Al-A'raf 7:31 - how Islam turns ordinary meals and gatherings into opportunities for gratitude and dignity.
Meals, celebrations, and family gatherings happen so often that it is easy to move through them without much thought. Islam asks believers to bring intention into these ordinary moments, and our students learn this as much through example as through instruction.
Adorn Yourselves, But Without Excess
۞ يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ خُذُوا۟ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
"O children of Adam, take your adornment [i.e., wear your clothing] at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess." (Surah Al-A'raf 7:31)
Allah (SWT) instructs believers to take their adornment at every place of worship, and to eat and drink without excess, for He does not love those who overindulge. Even something as simple as a meal carries guidance: enjoy what Allah (SWT) has given, but with restraint and gratitude.
Manners the Prophet (SAW) Taught by Example
'Umar ibn Abi Salamah, a young boy under the Prophet's (SAW) care, once let his hand wander across the dish while eating. The Prophet (SAW) gently corrected him, teaching him to eat from what was directly in front of him, a small lesson in humility that shaped his character for life.
We hope our students carry this same combination, enjoyment paired with restraint, gratitude paired with dignity, into every gathering they attend. May Allah (SWT) make every shared meal and celebration in our students' lives an occasion of gratitude rather than excess. Ameen.