Phenomenal Foods Prescribed in the Quran & Hadith | Part 1

Our body is a trust (Amanah) from Allah and therefore, it stands to reason that eating healthy food should be viewed as a crucial religious duty for all Muslims. All over the world, in countries close and distant, Allah has created a variegated array of foods for us to satisfy our cravings and to provide ample nourishment for our bodies. The diversity of fruits and vegetables, of trees and plants, make us ponder at the bounty of Allah’s gifts to His servants, and the heartfelt thanks we owe for His infinite mercy. ‘So Allah is the One Who sent down Water from the sky; and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kind, and then We bring forth the green leaf of it, from which We produce closed-compounded grain. And out of it the palm-tree, from the spathe of it, come forth clusters of dates close to the hand; and We produce gardens of grapes, olives, pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look upon it when it yields fruit and the ripening of it;) Verily, in all these Are Signs of Allah’s Power of creation.’ (Surah Anam 6:99)

In Surah Qaf, Allah says, “And the Earth, We spread it out, and cast therein firmly-set mountains and We have made to grow therein foods of all beautiful kinds; giving insight and a reminder to every servant who turns to Allah”. [Qur’an 50:7-8].

‘For those who believe. eat of the lawful and good food which Allah has provided for you, and be grateful for the favor of Allah….’ [Surah Nahl: 16:114]

Further, in Surah Nahl, Allah says, “He is the One Who sends down rain from the sky, from which you drink and by which plants grow for your cattle to graze. He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, and the olives, and the palm trees, and the grapes, and of every kind of fruit. Most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect”. [Qur’an 16:10-11].

Here, we are directly told that the abundance in nature are signs for us to reflect upon, and accept Allah’s existence with certainty, and be grateful for the creation and the sustenance we have been provided. Several foods are mentioned in the Quran and the Hadith, and if we pay attention to the nutritional benefits delineated in both these texts, we can lead healthy lives based on these food choices. After all, Allah is the benevolent Creator of these plants, foods and fruits so He would be the supreme authority to direct us towards the wholesome goodness in all of the foods mentioned. Honey: Honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by several species of bees, the best-known of which are honey bees. Honey is made and stored to nourish bee colonies. Allah has given bees the ability to produce honey by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of plants or the secretions of other insects, like the honeydew of aphids. Honey is mentioned in multiple chapters of the Quran. Allah has mentioned the curing effect of Honey in Surah Nahl.

“And thy Lord has inspired the bee, saying, ‘Make thou houses in the hills and in the trees and in the trellises which they build. Then eat of every kind of fruit, and follow the ways of thy Lord that have been made easy for thee.’ There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying hues. Therein is cure for men. Surely, in that is a Sign for a people who reflect.“ [Surah Nahl: 16: 68-69].’

‘The Prophet (PBUH) said ‘Healing is in three things; a gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterizing), but I forbid my followers to use branding with fire’ – (Sahih Bukhari 5680)

Allah has provided us with honey which is a great sugar alternative and can also be used topically. Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can kill unwanted bacteria and fungus, preventing infection and promoting wound healing. Manuka honey is used in medical settings to treat wounds, due to its antiseptic properties and its ability to aid in tissue regeneration. Honey is also rich in antioxidants and can decrease the aging process. The antioxidants in honey can prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of cancer. Grapes: Grapes are fruits which are botanically berries, of the deciduous woody vines. Grapes generally occur in clusters. The cultivation of grapes began approximately 8,000 years ago, in the region of the Middle East, and the fruit has been used as human food throughout history. Grapes are a well-known delicacy enjoyed throughout the world. Allah has mentioned these succulent fruits eight times within the Quran. They are mentioned twice in Surah Nahl.

“With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit.”  [Surah Nahl: 16:11]

“And from the fruits of date palms and grapes, you obtain (date and grape juice) and a goodly provision.”   [Surah Nahl: 16:67]

‘Then we brought forth for you therewith gardens of date palms and grape vines. There is plenty of fruit for you to eat.’ [Surah Muminun: 23:19]

They are also featured in Surahs Abasa, Yusuf, Isra, Kahf, Yaseen, Anaam, and Surah Muminun. These juicy morsels are often eaten to relieve constipation, but they benefit more than just the digestive system. They foster blood production because of the high level of iron and sugar in them, which in turn acts as a natural medicine for the healthy regulation of the kidney and liver. Grapes are packed with vitamins, minerals and nutrients. They are also high in antioxidants, and can help prevent Alzheimer’s and certain cancers. Olives: The olive is a species of small tree or shrub found traditionally in the Mediterranean Basin, with wild subspecies found in Africa and Western Asia. Olives have been granted to us by Allah as a versatile food that can be enjoyed with several types of food and it can even be used for pickling and garnishing in salads. It’s oil also has myriad benefits and can be used extensively. Olives are significantly high in Vitamin E which is good for the skin and heart, and can protect against osteoporosis and cancer. The healthy fats within olives produced in olive oil, aids in the healthy growth of hair. Olives also help maintain a healthy heart, lower blood pressure, improve memory and reduce stress. Olives are referenced more than four times in the Quran.

“With it He causes to grow the crops, the olives… ” [Surah An-Nahl: 16:11]

Allah also mentions olives in Surah Abasa, Yusuf, Anaam, and Surah At-Tin. Allah swears by olives in Surah At-Tin –‘By the Fig and the olive….’[Surah At-Tin 95:1]

In the Hadith it is mentioned, ‘Eat olive and anoint yourself with it, for it comes from a blessed tree’. – (Tirmidhi 1851)

Dates: Commonly known as the date palm, dates are a flowering-plant nurtured for its edible sweet fruit called dates. The species is widely cultivated across Northern Africa, the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Australia, South Asia, and California. Dates, often referred to as a ‘fruit of the desert’, are mentioned more than 20 times in the Quran and are a wonderful gift from Allah. They are considered a symbol of Allah’s blessings that create abundance.

‘And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you; it will drop on you fresh ripe-dates’. [Surah Maryam: 19:25]

‘…and the earth He laid out for the creatures, therein is fruit and palm trees having sheaths of dates…’ [Surah Rahman 55:10-11]

They are also mentioned in Surah Abasa, Rahman, Kahf, Maryam and Surah Anaam. According to the Sunnah, eating seven Ajwa dates in the morning protects a person from harm caused by poison or magic, which is why dates should always be included in our diet. Widely consumed by Muslims all over the world in Ramadan, dates have many nutritious qualities, and are packed with multivitamins. They are very rich in fiber, and are also great for overall gut health. Dates are a supreme source of manganese, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B6. These essential minerals and vitamins are beneficial for various health conditions. Dates also contain various antioxidants such as, flavonoids and carotenoids. They are energy boosters, and can help regulate a healthy digestive and nervous system. These antioxidants help fight against chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. Dates are very sweet, and can even sweeten drinks as bitter as coffee. Pomegranate: The pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub that grows between 5 and 10 m tall. The pomegranate is rich in symbolic and mythological associations in many cultures. Pomegranate is a famously nutritious fruit, mentioned several times within the Quran.

About this fruit, Allah states in Surah Rahman, “In them both will be fruits and date-palms and pomegranates.” [Surah Rahman, 55: 68]

Pomegranate is also mentioned in Surah Al-Anaam and other Surahs. The pomegranate is famous for its nutritional benefits, as they are filled with antioxidants that can protect cells from damage, and for the same reason they can help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Pomegranates also contain high levels of vitamins, potassium, and folate. The vitamins within pomegranates can help boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, prevent arthritis, sharpen one’s memory, and aid in digestion. Pomegranate juice is antibacterial and antiviral and is incredibly beneficial for heart health, as it increases blood flow and improves circulation.