Recently, a Christian man asked me why anyone should be a Muslim. Considering the many questions posed to me by people of other faiths, I was especially intrigued by this one, and, inevitably, several answers popped into my mind, including:
• There is no concept of original sin in Islam.
• Muslims believe in the Oneness of Allah (SWT), a simple and beautiful concept which glorifies our Lord and solidifies His majesty.
• Islam confirms belief in Jesus (peace be upon him) as a mighty messenger of Allah (SWT) and the coming Messiah, in addition to all the prophets of the Biblical Old Testament (peace be upon them all).
I could have shared any of these Islamic characteristics to answer the man’s question; however, on that day the first thought that came to my mind was one which I, as a convert, have often noticed – and loved – about Islam. Namely how its teachings align so naturally with human nature and human intellect, directing us not only to what is good for us in worship but also guiding us through life’s challenges and leading us to what is beneficial for us in life – even if only a simple pizza night with our family!
Pizza?! You may be wondering how this famous Italian export and staple party food, mentioned so prominently in this article’s title, comes into play in this context and how it relates to practicing Islam. If so, I’m happy to explain. Understanding that Islamic teachings are a practical and spiritual boon to everyday life and its countless situations has led me to some interesting observations, including, for example, how the United States and other countries celebrate themed months and days throughout the year to highlight certain causes, ethnic groups, social ills, or diseases, to name a few. For instance, September is Suicide Prevention Month while June aims to highlight post-traumatic stress disorder. Other months shine a spotlight on scholarly issues or lighter aspects of our society, such as Academic Writing Month in November and National Ice Cream Month in July.
Well, October is National Pizza Month, and I’m here for it – Islamically, of course! I’d argue that pizza night with family can lead to impactful moments together. For me, I know when I find myself at the end of a busy or exhausting day, cooking dinner is often the last thing on my mind. However, we still have to eat, and I understand that putting in a pizza order will be a win for my family, particularly my kids. It brings a bit of excitement, relaxation, fun and – most importantly – family togetherness to an otherwise mundane mid-week meal. Ordering pizza can spark more happiness around the dinner table, leading to more engaging conversations with one another, a heightened sense of well-being, and a more relaxed and stress-free end to our sometimes-rushed days.
In fact, my family’s reaction to pizza night reminds me of a wonderful hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Companion Washi ibn Harb reported, “They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we eat but we are not satiated.’ The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘Perhaps you eat separately?’ They said yes. The Prophet said, ‘Eat your meals together and mention the name of Allah over it, for you will be blessed in it.’” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3764)
What a wonderful instruction from our faith, and one we often see touted by family health experts as a way to engage with our children, spend quality family time together, and, potentially, foster a more successful life for our kids. In researching this piece, I came across a multitude of articles espousing the benefits of families eating together, chief among them the building of stronger bonds between parents and children and siblings to one another; better mental health and coping skills; lower risk of obesity, eating disorders, and depression, as well as higher self-esteem and resilience. Regular family meals – whether they include pizza or not! – can mean children enjoy better communication with their parents, perhaps leading to more academic success and even a more in-depth and varied vocabulary. Subhanallah! For reference, an article by the American College of Pediatricians delves into the effects of family dinners and provides research- and data-based evidences of its benefits.
Having said all this, I understand that equating occasionally serving your family pizza for dinner to a definitive game changer for your family dynamic might seem a bit of a stretch, and, in some respects, it is. However, I encourage you to consider that what society presents to us as good – be it through themed months or anything else – has likely already been revealed to us and explained by Islam through its completeness and beautiful practicality as it pertains to human nature and what we need to thrive in everyday life.
So, if taking part in National Pizza Month means scrapping your usual dinnertime menu once in a while to offer a fun and easy meal that might bring your kids to the table with a bit more enthusiasm, and thus honoring the advice and practice of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him), I say go for it. If the result is more conversation, lots of laughs, and memorable moments over a pizza pie or two, then remember, as long as we mention the name of Allah (SWT) over it, the blessings will flow. Inshallah!
