Health in Islam
The Quran and Hadith have given us guidance on how to use the natural sources Allah has given us in this world, modern medicine is now only just discovering uses for natural remedies but Muslims have known about these for over a thousand years. I will list below just a few of the remedies that Allah has mentioned in the Quran.
Honey is a great miracle of islam, it is in modern day used to treat a variety of illnesses such as sore throats, upset stomach and it good for its anti bacterial benefits, Uncontaminated honey is a healthy, easily digestible, natural and energy rich food. It contains carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes and vitamins. One tablespoon of honey provides 60 calories and contains 11g of carbohydrates, 1mg of calcium, 0.2mg of iron, 0.lmg of vitamin B and 1mg of vitamin C, but More than 1,400 years ago Allah and His messenger (peace be upon him), told us that honey can heal a variety of medicinal problems.
Allah says in the Quran regarding Honey, “And the lord inspired the bee, saying: Take your habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)’. There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily in this is indeed a sign for people who think.” [Qur'an 16:68-69]
The pomegranate has become known as a modern day super food recently many health experts have suggested that drinking a glass of pomegranate juice a day for one year reduced blood pressure (particularly systolic pressure) and slowed down LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) oxidation. Pomegranate fruits contain polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins – all are beneficial antioxidants. Interestingly, pomegranate juice contains high levels of antioxidants – higher than most other fruit juices. Pomegranates were mentioned In the Quran a number of times “And it is He Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, And date-palms, and crops of different shape and taste and olives, and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in taste).Eat of their fruits when they ripen, but pay the due thereof on the day of its harvest, And waste not by extravagance. Verily, He likes not those who waste by extravagance.”(6:141)
Health experts who have done research in to the benefits of eating and drinking pomegranate have said that it can help with the following conditions
Stomach Disorder: Pomegranates peel, bark and leaves are used to calm the disorder of the stomach or diarrhea caused due to any kind of digestive problems. Drinking tea made from the leaves of this fruit helps in curing your digestive problems. Pomegranate juice is also used for handling problems of dysentery and cholera.
Heart Problems: Regular intake of pomegranate juice can maintain good flow of the blood in the body. Along with this, it decreases the risk of heart attack and heart strokes. The antioxidant properties that are consisted in this fruit helps to keep the bad cholesterol in the forming position and thus keeps the arteries clear of any clots. The clots are clear because pomegranate has the ability to make the blood thinner.
Cancer: Pomegranates consist of high level of antioxidants called flavenoids. These flavenoids are thought to be effective in counteracting various cancer radials. The people that face high risk of prostate and breast cancer should start drinking the juice of this fruit, as this will help them to reduce further risk of developing cancer. Regular consumption of pomegranates can reduce the PSA levels in the body and aid to fight the existing cancer cells in the body.
Dental Care: The best benefit of pomegranate is that its juice, along with its antibacterial and antiviral properties, helps to reduce the effects of dental plaque.
Osteoarthritis: Pomegranate helps to reduce the illness caused in various forms, like atherosclerosis and osteoarthritis. The damages that are caused due to the thickening and hardening of the arterial walls and in cartilage and joints can be cured by eating this fruit. Also, pomegranate is capable of preventing the creation of enzymes that are liable for breaking down the connective tissues.
Anemia: Healthy blood flow can be maintained in the body by taking this fruit in any form. Pomegranate supplies iron to blood and thus, help to reduce the anemic symptoms including exhaustion, dizziness and weakness and hear loss.
Diabetes: Drinking of pomegranate juice by a diabetic patient can reduce the risk of coronary diseases. Along with this, there is a slowdown in hardening of the arteries, which can fuel non-occurrence of various heart diseases.
The date is used often by muslims as it is mentioned many times in the Quran and has excellent nutritional values.
And in the earth are neighboring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields), and date palms, growing into two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise (one stem root for every palm), watered with the same water; yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily! In these things there are signs for the people who understand.(Noble Qur’an 13:3)
“And tall (and stately) palm-trees, with shoots of fruit-stalks piled one over another” (Noble Qur’an 50:10)
“And what you (O Muslims) cut down of the palm-trees (of the enemy), or you left them standing on their stems, it was by leave of Allah, and in order that He might disgrace the Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)” (59: 5)
“And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm- tree It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.(Surah Maryam: 25)
The dates have a high nutritional value, given below is the amount of nutrients in 100 gm of dates:
Sodium – 2 mg
Total Carbohydrates – 75 gm
Dietary Fiber – 8 gm
Sugars – 63 gm
Protein – 2 gm
Vitamin – A 10 IU
Vitamin C – 0.4 mg
Vitamin E – 0.05 mg
Vitamin K – 2.7 mcg
Thiamin – 0.052 mg
Riboflavin – 0.066 mg
Niacin – 1.274 mg
Vitamin B6 – 0.165 mg
Vitamin B12 – 0 mcg
Folate – 19 mcg
Pantothenic Acid – 0.589 mcg
Calcium – 39 mg
Iron – 1.02 mg
Magnesium – 43 mg
Phosphorus – 62 mg
Potassium – 656 mg
Sodium – 2 mg
Zinc – 0.29 mg
Copper – 0.206 mg
Manganese – 0.262 mg
Selenium – 3 mcg
Total Fat – 0.39 mg
Saturated Fat – 0.032 mg
Monounsaturated Fat – 0.036 mg
Polyunsaturated Fat – 0.019 mg
Since dates get digested very easily, they are used for supplying quick energy.
Regular consumption of dates has been found to check the growth of pathological organisms and help in the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines.
Being a laxative food, dates have been found to be beneficial for those suffering from constipation.
Studies have shown that consumption of dates, soaked overnight and crushed, is good for those who have a weak heart.
Researches have revealed that dates are effective in preventing abdominal cancer.
Dates have a tonic effect and thus, hold value as medicines.
The Olive is one of the foods that attention is drawn to in the Quran , in recient years research has shown that the olive is not only delicious to eat but is an important source of nutrition.
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The metaphor of His Light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, its oil all but giving off light even if no fire touches it. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whoever He wills and Allah makes metaphors for mankind and Allah has knowledge of all things. (Qur’an, 24:35)”
And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that
for people who reflect. (Qur’an, 16:11)
It is He Who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds. And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect. (Qur’an, 16:10-11)
The olive it thought to be able to aid the following conditions
Prevent cancer
Prevent arthritis
Olive Oil can help bone development
Prevention of ageing
Helps child development
Reduces blood pressure
Let us all concentrate on the natural sources that Allah has provided us with and Inshallah steer clear of the work of shaytan as Islam strictly forbids indulgence in intoxicants such as alcohol and drugs for good reason. The limited pleasure of such vices causes immense long-term damage to both mind, body and the social fabric of society. It seems that if Muslims adhere to the teachings of Islam, they would automatically lead a healthier lifestyle. God says in the Quran:
Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer, will ye not then abstain? (5:90)
Why should a Muslim woman wear a Hijab ? You can know the answer by reading this article.
An act of obedience
The hijab is an act of obedience to Allah and to his prophet (pbuh), Allah says in the Qur’an: `It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, has indeed strayed in a plain error.’ (S33:36).
Allah also said: ‘And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc) and not to show off their adornment except what must (ordinarily) appear thereof, that they should draw their veils over their Juyubihinna.’(S24:31).
The Hijab is IFFAH (Modesty)
Allah (subhana wa’atala) made the adherence to the hijab a manifestation for chastity and modesty. Allah says: ‘O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) over their bodies (when outdoors). That is most convenient that they should be known and not molested.’ (S33:59). In the above Ayaah there is an evidence that the recognition of the apparent beauty of the woman is harmful to her. When the cause of attraction ends, the restriction is removed. This is illustrated in the case of elderly women who may have lost every aspect of attraction. Allah (subhana wa’atala) made it permissible for them to lay aside their outer garments and expose their faces and hands reminding, however, that is still better for them to keep their modesty.
The hijab is Tahara (Purity)
Allah (subhana wa’atala) had shown us the hikma (wisdom) behind the legislation of the hijab: `And when you ask them (the Prophet’s wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.’ (S33:53).
The hijab makes for greater purity for the hearts of believing men and women because it screens against the desire of the heart. Without the hijab, the heart may or may not desire. That is why the heart is more pure when the sight is blocked (by hijab) and thus the prevention of fitna (evil actions is very much manifested. The hijab cuts off the ill thoughts and the greed of the sick hearts: `Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.’ (S33:32)
The hijab is a Shield
The prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah, Most High, is Heaven, is Ha’yeii (Bashful), Sit’teer (Shielder). He loves Haya’ (Bashfulness) and Sitr (Shielding; Covering).” The Prophet (pbuh) also said: “Any woman who takes off her clothes in other than her husband’s house (to show off for unlawful purposes), has broken Allah’s shield upon her. “The hadith demonstrates that depending upon the kind of action committed there will be either reward (if good) or punishment (if bad).
The hijab is Taqwah (Righteousness)
Allah (subhana wa’atala) says in the Qur’an: `O children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts, etc) and as an adornment. But the raiment of righteousness, that is better.’(S7:26). The widespread forms of dresses in the world today are mostly for show off and hardly taken as a cover and shield of the woman’s body. To the believing women, however the purpose is to safeguard their bodies and cover their private parts as a manifestation of the order of Allah. It is an act of Taqwah (righteousness).
The hijab is Imaan (Belief or Faith)
Allah (subhana wa’atala) did not address His words about the hijab except to the believing women, Al-Mo’minat. In many cases in the Qur’an Allah refers to the “the believing women”. Aisha (RA), the wife of the prophet (pbuh), addressed some women from the tribe of Banu Tameem who came to visit her and had light clothes on them, they were improperly dressed: “If indeed you are believing women, then truly this is not the dress of the believing women, and if you are not believing women, then enjoy it.”
The hijab is Haya’ (Bashfulness)
There are two authentic hadith which state: “Each religion has a morality and the morality of Islam is haya’” AND “Bashfulness is from belief, and belief is in Al-Jannah (paradise)”. The hijab fits the natural bashfulness which is a part of the nature of women.
The hijab is Gheerah
The hijab fits the natural feeling of Gheerah, which is intrinsic in the straight man who does not like people to look at his wife or daughters. Gheerah is a driving emotion that drives the straight man to safeguard women who are related to him from strangers. The straight MUSLIM man has Gheerah for ALL MUSLIM women In response to lust and desire, men look (with desire) at other women while they do not mind that other men do the same to their wives or daughters. The mixing of sexes and absence of hijab destroys the Gheera in men. Islam considers Gheerah an integral part of faith. The
dignity of the wife or daughter or any other Muslim woman must be highly respected and defended.