Page 18 - Beauties for Life in the Qur'an

16 BEAUTIES FOR LIFE IN THE QUR'AN

to point out that believers tend toward clean food. As we read:
... They said: "Your Lord knows best how long you have been
here. Send one of your number into the city with this silver that
you have, so that he can see which food is purest and bring you
some of it to eat..." (Surat al-Kahf: 19)
We will dwell on this topic in another chapter under the title
"Beneficial Foods Mentioned in the Qur'an."

Exercising, Bathing, and Drinking Water
Another behavior mentioned in the Qur'an is conveyed in the
verses related to the revelation received by the Prophet Ayyub (as):
Remember Our servant Ayyub when he called on his Lord:
"Satan has afflicted me with exhaustion and suffering." (So he
was told:) "Stamp your foot! Here is a cool bath and water to
drink." (Surah Sâd: 41-42)
In response to his distress and suffering, Allah advised the
Prophet Ayyub (as) to "stamp his foot." This advice may well be
considered a sign concerning the benefits of physical activity
and exercise.
Exercise, especially exercising such long muscles as those
found in the leg muscles (e.g., isometric movements), improves
the blood flow and thereby increases the amount of oxygen
reaching the cells. Eliminating toxic materials from the body re-
moves exhaustion, provides a feeling of relief and refreshment, 1
and enables the body to enhance its resistance to microbes.
Regular exercise also helps to keep the arteries clean and wide,
both of which prevent clotting in the veins and thereby lowers
the risk of coronary artery disease. Regular exercise also lowers
2
the risk of diabetes by maintaining the blood sugar at a certain
level and increasing the amount of "good" cholesterol in the
liver. 3