Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
How can haram food affect us spiritually?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
What is the haram? It is that which Allah hates. By falling into the haram, one is falling into that which Allah hates, which distances one from the mercy of Allah.
The haram is something whose doer deserves punishment in the Fire. What could be more spiritually damaging?
It is related in the Sahih of Imam Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurairah that the messenger of Allah (upon him be peace) said:
“Allah the Almighty is pure and accepts only that which is pure. Allah has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the Messengers, and the Almighty has said: “O Messengers ! Eat of the pure things and do right”. And Allah the Almighty has said : “O you who believe! Eat of the pure things We have provided you.”
Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the heavens [saying] : “O Lord! O Lord!” while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered !” (Muslim)
Wassalam,