Friday 21 August 2009

Food in the Quran: Healing Honey

When in distress or difficulty Muslim’s turn to Quran or look to the tradition of their last Prophet, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) for assistance and illness is no exception. The Quran and tradition (sunnah) mention various foods in the context of their healing properties. Some of the knowledge has been part of the body of healing knowledge in Muslim communities in different countries for a very long time. It is only more recently that some of this wisdom is being supported by scientific research which proves how much healing power many of these food have.

One of these foods is honey. Both the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet (PBUH)) refer to honey as a healer of disease:

'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' (Quran 16:68-9)

'Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur'an is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur'an and honey.' (Bukhari)

The Prophet (PBUH) has also told us of the healing found within honey for a variety of medical problems, including stomach ailments.
It is reported by Al-Bukhaari that a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) because his brother had a stomach disorder. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Let him drink honey." The man returned a second time complaining that no improvement happened in his brother’s case, and again the Prophet (PBUH) responded: "Let him drink honey." The man returned again, and said: "I have done that but to no avail." Thereupon the Prophet (PBUH) responded: "Allah has said the truth, but your brother's stomach has told a lie. Let him drink honey." He drank it and was cured. (Al-Bukhari)
Now we know for fact that honey contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, anti-diarrhoeal, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties and anti-tussive and expectorant properties as well as nutritional value. Just one example of the practical value of the sunnah.


Benefits of Honey by Dr. Monzur Ahmed

IslamicWorld.net - Health Benefits Of Honey

Islamic Forum for Science and Arts - Honey

The healing power of honey: From burns to weak bones, raw honey can help

4 comments:

  1. Ulcers in his stomach used to cause Abdul-Hakim Abdo, 35, of Taiz terrible pain. He tried all kinds of drugs, but none of them seemed to help, But then he tried drinking honey, and he felt “so relaxed, and the pain was gone,” said Abdo. Abdo is far from the first to discover the medicinal properties of honey. Scores of medical studies have found that honey can help heal ulcers in the stomach and on the skin. It has also been found to ease diarrhea, insomnia, sunburn, and sore throats.

    Singers have long used honey to soothe their vocal chords. Dieters use it instead of sugar because it satisfies their sweet tooth and keeps them full longer. Even the Quran lauds the salubrious effects of 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 colors, wherein is healing for men,” says the passage, written 1,400 years ago…

    Honey holds particular promise for Yemen, which boasts some of the world’s best honey. Abdullah Yareem, a researcher in Yemeni honey and herbs, said that Yemen’s geographic diversity and wealth of plants make Yemeni honey particularly effective at healing wounds. Yet not enough scientific research has been done on the potentials of Yemeni honey, which could offer multitudinous benefits.

    But anecdotal evidence suggests that Yemeni honey has unique healing properties, particularly for wounds that have resisted treatment, said Yareem. “We find the patients both in Yemen and outside Yemen describe Yemeni honey as a beneficial remedy. It can cure skin disease that defeat modern medicine.”…

    To know more about Yemen Honey's nutritional valus, and how to find this healing honey outside Yemen copy this link:
    http://www.yemensidrhoney.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=41
    Source: Fares Anam, Yemen Observer, 12/5/2006

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  2. Yes I would say that raw honey can be useful as a healing agent - i use it on my skin and it has helped me with my eczema. I use honey from www.pyreneeshoney.com - they sell only raw honey and it's got to be raw to be used for healing.

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  3. And what do we use everyday at the surgical wound care clinic...medihoney ointment and bandages. Amazing. SubhanAllah

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  4. i have used and will recommend to anyone buzztrees brand yemeni sidr honey. they operate in the UK. they also deal with many other prophetic medicine otherwise almost impossible to get hold of.
    www.facebook.com/yemenisidrhoney

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