Health Is Wealth – Let Food Be Thy Medicine!

By Monica

Ramadan is fast approaching! (Insha’Allah) It is such a strange but beautiful feeling, Subhan’Allah. It is sort of like we are awaiting the arrival of a very special guest!
May Allah allow us to reach Ramadan, and make the most of its blessings and opportunities, Ameen.

So…what better time is there for us to talk about food!?

Alhamdulillah, we are very fortunate to have been blessed with many amazing foods in nature, which contain countless benefits and healing (shifa), Insha’Allah. Of course, over the past few centuries, eating habits have evolved; now in today’s world, we live in an age of excess, processed foods, where ‘instant’ and fast foods have all become the norm, and we are living in a world of convenience, and fast-pace.

“Eat from the good things We have provided for you, but do not transgress in them…”
(Quran 20:81)

It’s clear that the world has been through a whirlwind of change, but Islam is timeless, Islam is truth, and the Quran and Hadith are guides for us in all that we do; a complete way of life, Subhan ‘Allah.
It is only fitting and without a doubt, that as our Creator, the Almighty, and the All-Knowing, would know what is best for us, and may Allah help and guide us all, Ameen.

Right, let us delve into a couple of simple and ‘super-duper’ incredible foods from simple times, for the benefit of earning the pleasure of Allah and His messenger, Muhammad (PBUH) Insha’Allah, as well as for the benefit of earning the pleasure of our minds, bodies, spirits! I have used an online publication entitled ‘Prophetic Medicine & Herbalism’[1]; which I will be quoting from.
For the purposes of this post, I have only chosen two foods, but I would highly recommend that the article is read in its entirety since it has a lot of amazing information, including recipes, tips and facts!

There are many remarkable foods it mentions; including (but not limited to) Ajwa dates, olives and olive oil, wheat and barley (definitely suggest looking into this one!), and aloe vera.

It also refers to the types of food which were favourites of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as well as the methods of eating/combinations preferred by him, e.g.,

“It was narrated that Sahl bin Sa’d said: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to eat dates with melon.”
(Hadith, Sunan Ibn Majah 3326)

Furthermore, the article reiterates how today science and research verifies what is already in hadith and the Quran, and it is merely being rediscovered in the modern day, Subhan’Allah. The article also notes that we can go back to Hadith and Quran to verify what is being, to this day, found out through modern day science and research.

“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me”
(Quran 26:80)

“Usamah bin Sharik said: “Some Bedouins asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) shall we treat (our ill)?’ He said: ‘Yes, O worshipers of Allah! Use remedies. For indeed Allah did not make a disease but He made a cure for it’ – or – ‘a remedy. Except for one disease.’ They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w)! What is it?’ He said: ‘Old age.’”
(Hadith, Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2038)[3]

1) HONEY

“…there emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colours, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.”
(Quran 16:69)

“One pound of honey contains 1.4 grams of protein, 23 milligrams of calcium, 73 milligrams of phosphorus, 4.1 milligrams of iron, 1 milligram of niacin and 16 milligrams of vitamin C…healing wounds and burns…a cure-all with specific benefits for the benefits of digestive systems and as a tonic for general health and well-being….35% of protein…has many other essential nutrients such as B-complex and vitamins (C)D, and E.”

As the Quran mentions ‘varying in colours’, there are different types of honey, with different qualities and benefits. Subhan’Allah. One of these I would like to bring to our attention is Sidr honey.

This specific honey comes from the Lote tree, (I got goosebumps researching this, Ya Allah, it fills me with incredible awe! Subhan’Allah)

The lote tree, or ‘Sidrat-al-Muntaha’ is mentioned in the Quran and hadith, and it is a heavenly tree that our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saw during the Night Journey (Al Isra Wal Miraj).

“And he certainly saw him in another descent, at the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary – Near it is the Garden of Refuge (i.e., Paradise)”
(53:13-15)

“It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said: “When the Messenger of Allah was taken on the Night Journey, he came to Sidrah Al-Muntaha, which is in the sixth heaven.
That is where everything that comes up from below ends, and where everything that comes down from above, until it is taken from it. Allah says: When what covered the lote-tree did cover it! [1]
He said: “It was moths of gold. And I was given three things: The five daily prayers, the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, and whoever of my Ummah dies without associating anything with Allah will be forgiven for Al-Muqhimat.” [2]
[1] An-Najm 53: 16.
[2] “The sins of the worst magnitude that drag one into the Fire.” (An-Nihayah)

(Hadith, Sunan an-Nasa’i 451)[4]

There are several benefits of Sidr honey:

Boosts your immune system.

Boosts memory retention.

Relieves throat pain, cough, and flu symptoms.

Helps to treat skin problems.

Treats infections

Helps digestive problem.

Can potentially heal or improve cancer conditions[5]

TIP: Replace your sugar with honey in your daily cuppa/s!
Insha’Allah you will reap these benefits (and the taste benefits too! Alhamdulillah)

2) BLACK SEED

“Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:
“Use this black seed. For indeed it contains a cure for every disease except As-Sam” And As-Sam is death.”
(Hadith, Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2041)[6]

“The magazine Food Chemistry found black seed to be high in protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, C and niacin as well as calcium, potassium and iron…
The Journal of American Scientists reports that black seed has a number of useful properties such as antihistamine, antioxidant, antibiotic…..The warmth of black seed also increases the flow of all fluids in the body including blood, urine, a nursing mother’s milk and weak or halted menses…..In fact, black seed has been classified by many modern scientists as a “tonic herb” or “cure all.”

This is just a fraction of the benefits which are highlighted in the post, Subhan’Allah! There are many more benefits and characteristics which are described in the article.

TIP: Why not try adding a couple of black seeds into a smoothie, a curry, an omelette, or even in a stir-fry…experiment away, the possibilities are endless!

Alhamdulillah, this has been a great learning experience and a reminder for myself, and of course, Insha’Allah I hope that it has benefitted you as well. I pray that Allah grants us all shifa and good health and the upcoming Ramadan is a blessed and prosperous one! Ameen!

About the author:

Monica is currently working in higher education. She is passionate about empowering others, helping them to live their best authentic selves, allowing their true and beautiful individuality to shine! Nature lover, bookworm extraordinaire, and big fan of the Osman series!