He is created from a drop emitted proceeding from between...

He is created from a drop emitted proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Tariq 86:5-7] Thus, the Qur’an directs man to consider how he is created from sperm to realize what we are. Looking at Food The second instance that the Qur’an invites man to look to is to consider what he eats.

The Qur’an says: فَلْيَنظُرِ الْإِنسَانُ إِلَى طَعَامِهِ “Then let man look at his food, (and how We provide it)” [The Holy Qur’an, ‘Abasa 80:24] The closest thing to man that exists outside our body but becomes a part of us when eaten is food. If we do not eat, we will die soon. That is why the Qur’an stresses food items, especially those derived from plants and trees. There are various interpretations of this verse.

Some consider this looking to be considering whether what we have obtained for eating is from legitimate means or not. Others consider food for the mind, too.

Imam Baqir said: عِلمُهُ الّذي يأخُذُهُ، عَمَّنْ يأخُذُهُ “Look and see from whom you get your knowledge.” [^2] There are many occasions in the Qur’an where we are instructed to look such as: وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولاً أَنِ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُواْ الطَّاغُوتَ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى اللّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلالَةُ فَسِيرُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ فَانظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ.

For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the Command), "Serve God, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom God guided and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So, travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).

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