بسم ﷲ الرحمٰن الرحیم
Exploring a healthy lifestyle based on the Sunnah Foods of Nabi ﷺ
Tuba Rahmani Siddiqui
TIL Women English – Year 2
Say: If you (sincerely) love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (3:31).
The essence of a believer’s life is to gain the love of Allah ﷻ and a way to attain this has been mentioned in the Qur’an – by following the Blessed Sunnah of his Beloved Prophet ﷺ.
Incorporating the Sunnah Foods in our life is a way to gain the love of Allah ﷻ and to become a strong(قوى) mu’min so we can exert ourselves in worshipping our Lord. Embark on a journey which will aid us in developing a physically and spiritually healthy lifestyle In Sha Allah ta’ala!
1. Barley
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2039
Aishah رضى الله عنه narrated:
“Whenever one of the wives of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became (feverishly) ill, he would order that some broth be prepared. Then he would tell them to take some of the broth. And he would say: ‘It firms the heart of the grieved, and it rids the worries from the heart of the ill just as one of you removes dirt from her face with water.”
Barley, also known as Shaeer in Arabic (Jav in Urdu/Hindi), is one of the best examples of the Tibb-e-Nabwi(Prophetic Medicine). Barley was one of the favorite food of our beloved Prophet ﷺ. It has a vast range of medicinal properties.The use of barley to treat lifestyle-related diseases like Obesity, Diabetes, and digestive problems is exceptionally beneficial. Apart from these lifestyle-related diseases use of barley in various medicinal forms has the capabilities to cure the diseases like Malaria, urinary and respiratory tract infections, measles, influenza, jaundice, syphilis, kidney diseases, skin diseases, etc. Barley is also a rich source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Black seeds
Sahih al-Bukhari 5687
Narrated Khalid bin Sa`d رضى الله عنه :
We went out and Ghalib bin Abjar was accompanying us. He fell ill on the way and when we arrived at Medina he was still sick. Ibn Abi ‘Atiq came to visit him and said to us, “Treat him with black cumin. Take five or seven seeds and crush them (mix the powder with oil) and drop the resulting mixture into both nostrils, for `Aisha رضى الله عنه has narrated to me that she heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, ‘This black cumin is healing for all diseases except As-Sam.’ Aisha said, ‘What is As-Sam?’ He said, ‘Death.”
Black Seed has been extensively studied for its biological activity and therapeutic potential and has been found to possess a broad spectrum of activities such as antioxidant, anti-cough, gastroprotective, anti-anxiety, anti-ulcer, anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory , antitumor, hepatoprotective, cures gastric ulcers, slows tumor growth, improves memory, stimulates milk production, has antibacterial activity.
3. Cucumber
Sunan Abi Dawud 3903
Narrated Aisha رضى الله عنه , Ummul Mu’minin:
My mother intended to make me gain weight to send me to the (house of) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). But nothing which she desired benefited me till she gave me cucumber with fresh dates to eat. Then I gained as much weight (as she desired).
Sunan Ibn Majah 3325
It was narrated ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far رضى الله عنه said:
“I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) eating cucumbers with dates.”
Cucumber belongs to curcurbaticeae family and possess antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal characteristics. It showed activities like antioxidant, phytochemical and hypoglycaemic activity. Cucumbers, a fruit have numerous benefits internally, externally. As a food, cucumbers offer superior hydration, as they are about 95% water. They have been used for decades for their anti-inflammatory benefits on skin, soothing properties for digestion, and other therapeutic uses. The following contribution offers an overview of cucumbers, specifically, their use to augment cellular water and address common conditions i.e.: skin discoloration and aging, cardiovascular and cancerous diseases, bone health, inflammation, and connective tissue disorders.
4. Dates
Jami at-Tirmidhi 696
Anas bin Malik رضى الله عنه narrated:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would break the fast with fresh dates before performing Salat. If there were no fresh dates then (he would break the fast) with dried dates, and if there were no dried dates then he would take a few sips of water.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 5768
Narrated Saud:
The Prophet ﷺ said, “If somebody takes some `Ajwa dates every morning, he will not be affected by poison or magic on that day till night.” (Another narrator said seven dates).
Date fruit is consumed widely and has beenused for traditional medicine purposes for a long time. Dates fruit are for multipurpose use, whether fresh or dried is the perfect source of energy because of its high nutritional value and its long life. Datefruit has many pharmacological actions like antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antiulcer,anticancer, antidiarrheal, antihyperlipidemic, haemopoietic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and used in infertility, strengthening of oocytes and pregnancy, urinary complaints, respiratory diseases,paralysis, fever, infection, constipation etc. Date palm fruits are a safe, natural alternative and complementary treatment comparable with synthetic drugs to combat many disease conditions.
5. Honey
Sahih al-Bukhari 5599
Narrated ‘Aisha رضى الله عنه :
The Prophet ﷺ used to like sweet edible things and honey.For about 4,000 years, Asl Khalis has been a popular folk remedy around the world for ailments ranging from diarrhea to inflammation of the eyelids. Ancient Unani physicians described it as an effective treatment for wounds, and modern studies have verified Asl Khalis superiority to the standard medical treatments for burns, skin ulcers, and wounds.
The Muslims Holy book, Qur’an mentions the benefits of Asl Khalis (Honey) –
“And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in (men’s) habitations…there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for mankind. Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought”. (Qur’an and Translation of Qur’an)There is an entire Surah in Qur’an called al-Nahl (the Bee).
According to Hadith, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ strongly recommends Asl Khalis
(Honey) for healing purposes. (Bukhari).
The Prophet ﷺ used to take an Asl Khalis (Honey) drink: a teaspoon of Asl Khalis mixed well with a cup of water in the early morning before eating anything. The recent medicine discovers that such drink activates the digestive system to work in a better way. Furthermore, Asl Khalis has been shown to be far superior to conventional antibiotics in treating infections and without the negative side effects associated with antibiotic use. It is amazing that the bacteria-killing properties of Asl Khalis increases two-fold
when diluted with water (Ghaleb, 2008)]
6. Milk
Musnad Ahmad 50
Al-Bara` said:
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came from Makkah to Madinah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ got thirsty. They passed by a herd of sheep, Abu Bakr as Siddeeq رضى الله عنه said: I took a cup and milked a cupful of milk for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ一 brought it to him and he drank until I was pleased,
Sunan Ibn Majah 501
It was narrated that Anas bin Malik رضى الله عنه said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ milked a sheep and drank some of its milk, then he called for water and rinsed his mouth and said: ‘It has some greasiness in it.’”
Milk is the most necessary food for humans because it provides almost all nutrients such as the most nutritious protein, calcium, essential fatty acids, water-soluble vitamins, and other bioactive compounds responsible for maintaining health and other physiological functions. Milk has also been used effectively for centuries to improve complexion and to treat other ailments (especially dermatological disorders).Milk has several therapeutic actions too e.g. adipogenous, anti-inflammatory, glutinous- such a drug is a cold and dry substance with a small amount of viscid moisture that coats the surface and constricts pores. It moisturizes the skin and makes it appear lighter, fairness activity, irrigator,antidote, and general tonic.
7. Olives
Sunan Ibn Majah 3319
It was narrated from ‘Umar رضى الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
‘Season (your food) with olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 3467
It was narrated that Zaid bin Arqam رضى الله عنه said:
“The Messenger of Allah (saw) prescribed Wars (memecyclon tinctorium), Indian aloeswood and olive oil for pleurisy, to be administered through the side of the mouth.”
Olives eliminate excess cholesterol in the blood.
Olives control blood pressure, are a great source of Vitamin E, act as an antioxidant, protecting cells reduce the effects of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancerous tumours, including less serious varicose veins and cavities, help prevent blood clots that could lead to a myocardial infarction, protect cell membranes against diseases like cancer, are a great protection against anaemia, enhances fertility and reproductive system, play an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system, especially during oxidative stress and chronic viral diseases.Olives contain oleic acid, which has beneficial properties to protect the heart.
8. Pomegranate
Sayyiduna Jaʿfar b. Muhammad relates from his father, that the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم once became unwell. Sayyiduna Jibrīl عليه السلام arrived with a plate of pomegranates and grapes, so the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم ate from it.
Sharḥ Zurqānī ʿalā al-Mawāhib, vol. 6, p. 500
From a traditional point of view, pomegranate, as a low-calorie fruit, is generally an astringent, drying, and cooling agent. The most reported medicinal activities for pomegranate are attributed to its astringent property that stimulates the contraction of bodily tissues; often used to soothe the skin and stop bleeding.Pomegranate and its components were found to have powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial effects, it aslo has positive benefits on a number of disorders, including respiratory diseases, digestive problems, neurodegenerative diseases,metabolic disorders, cancer, osteoarthritis, skin problems, etc.
9. Vinegar
Sunan Ibn Majah 3318
Umm Sa’d said:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered upon ‘Aishah, when I was with her, and said: ‘Is there any food?’ She said: ‘We have bread, dates and vinegar. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘What a blessed condiment vinegar is. O Allah, bless vinegar, for it was the condiment of the Prophets before me, and no house will ever be poor in which there is vinegar.’”
Various
actions and clinical indications have been elaborated and some properties namely Anti-infective, Antihypertensive, Cardio-protective, Antitumor, Antiglycemic, Antioxidant and Antitubercular activities have been revalidated in the light of recent scientific researches. A number of clinical researches have also been performed to explore medicinal properties
of Sirka (Vinegar). Some other properties of Vinegar include Anticancerous, Antibacterial, Antihypertensive, Antiobesity, Antinfection and Antioxidation.
10.Watermelon
Ash-Shama’il Al-Muhammadiyah 197
A’isha رضى الله عنه said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to eat watermelon with ripe dates.”
The wide occurrence of phytochemicals such as carotenoids, lycopenes, anthocyanins, phenols, and flavonoids along with vitamins and minerals makes the choice of plant based diet healthier. It lowers the risks of various dreadful diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and aging associated ailments.
To summarise, apart from the numerous benefits it is essential to understand that these foods were incorporated in the Blessed Sunnah of Nabi ﷺ and this should be reason enough for us to implement on it. Nabi ﷺ consumed these foods out of his hikmah which was granted to him by the Divine Wisdom of Allah ﷻ centuries ago when no data of scientific researches was available to prove the benefits and thus Islam was way ahead of its time. We too must learn to adapt to the Sunnah as it is of foremost importance to realise that this is not just a means of improving our health rather it is multidimensional with the primary reason being to gain closeness to Allah ﷻ by following the Blessed Sunnah of Nabi ﷺ.
جزاك اللّٰه خيرا كثيرا
