Reflections on Food: From the Roots of the Word to the Meaning of Life
By Dr. Ali Aminullah, M.Pd.I. ME (Lecturer at IAI Alazis)
Friday is a day eagerly awaited by the congregation of the Rahmatan lil Alamin Mosque, when Sheikh Al Zaytun delivers the Friday dhikr. During the Friday dhikr (August 15, 2025), the Sheikh offered insightful insights that provoked the congregation to think. He unpacked the terminology and meaning of food nutrition from a philosophical and theological perspective.
Behind every mouthful, there’s a story about the earth, gratitude, and responsibility.
Rethinking Nutrition
Recently, the term “Nutrition” has become a hot topic, especially with government programs like Free Nutritional Meals (MBG). However, did we know that this word has a much deeper meaning than just nutrition? Linguistically, the word “nutrition” has its roots in the Arabic word ghidza, which literally means “substance contained in food.” Malaysians call it “zat makanan,” a simpler yet more precise term. This reminds us that often, the terms we use everyday can obscure their true meaning, much like when we call all camera lenses “Kodak,” when that is simply a brand.
More than just a substance, food is a consciousness. It is a connecting substance derived from the earth, leading us to the “divine essence.” Food is a process for attaining ulūhiyah, a concept of divinity. Therefore, good food is food whose source is known and respected. This reminds us of His words in Surah Taha: 55, “From it (the earth) We created you, and into it We return you, and from it We brought you out another time.” This is not just a reminder, but a command to care for the earth that has given us life.
Caring for the Land, Caring for the Nation
When we talk about food security or nutrition, we cannot escape the obligation to care for the land that produces food. Caring for the land is not merely a duty, but an act of worship to the Creator. When we eat from the fruits of the land, we are grateful, and the words “Allahumma bariklana fiima razaqtana waqina adzaabannar” become a prayer that flows from the heart.
Nutrition is not just about a full stomach. Nutrition is the foundation for a person to stand upright, ready to carry out their life’s tasks. When the body is malnourished, it will not be able to sustain itself. Hence the term “stunting,” which is often simplified as not eating enough. However, more than that, stunting is a reflection of a nation’s inability to be grateful for God’s blessings.
A nation whose citizens are still malnourished needs to question its leadership. Adequate nutrition is the foundation that enables people to serve and appreciate the environment. A prosperous and well-off nation will not damage its environment, because they feel ownership and gratitude. Chaos and destruction are often rooted in nutritional problems, which prevent people from thinking clearly and acting wisely.
True Leadership and Collective Responsibility
Meeting the nutritional needs of the people is a fundamental duty of a leader. If a leader cannot do this, he or she is not worthy of being called a leader. Developed countries no longer talk about food issues because they have successfully met the needs of their people. In contrast, in Indonesia, chaos due to malnutrition still occurs frequently.
Therefore, it is time for all of us, especially Islamic students (santri), to take part. Don’t just wait for “prosperity” to come. Remember the wise saying, “rich farmer, rich nation.” As the Chinese proverb “nong hu quo chai” goes, “Enhancing the welfare of farmers is the first step to achieving strong food security, which will ultimately make our nation stand tall and dignified.
Epilogue: A strong nation is one that has enough food to feed itself
We often forget that in every grain of rice and drop of water, there is a long story of struggle, fertile soil, and God’s grace. Nutrition is not just a matter of counting calories or protein, but rather an eternal pledge to care for ourselves, the land, and the nation. Let us make every meal a reminder of this great responsibility. Because a strong nation is not one with sophisticated weapons, but one whose citizens are well-fed, grateful, and ready to serve, from earth to sky.*
Indramayu, Saturday, August 16, 2025
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