Healthy Eating In The Quran by Rashda Shanaz

Top 3 foods from the Qur’an that are also considered Sunnah 

Healthy eating is drilled into us regularly by doctors and health experts. Sometimes it feels like a foreign language, the same diatribe over and over again. Well, Allah made our bodies, right? So He must know what is good for us to nurture it with. Let’s have a look at what magic foods He mentions in the Quran for us.

Allah says in the Qur’an: “therefore eat of what Allah has given you, lawful and good (things), and give thanks for Allah’s favour if Him do you serve” (16:114) 

There are several foods mentioned in the Qur’an, amongst them are olives, herbs, fish, grapes, garlic (and/or onion), ginger, pomegranates, dates, bananas, cucumbers, figs, and honey. 

Here we have picked our top 3.

1. Olives

Olives and olive oil are mentioned in several places in the Qur’an (95:1, 80:29, 23:20, 16:11). In Surah Al Mu’minoon (23:20) Allah says: “And [We brought forth] a tree issuing from Mount Sinai which produces oil and food for those who eat.” 

Some benefits of olives found in recent studies: 

Olives, how they are processed and the changes that take place in their nutrients has shown that Greek-style black olives, Spanish-style green olives, Kalamata-style olives, and many different methods of olive preparation provide us with valuable amounts of many different antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Hydroxytyrosol, a phytonutrient, found in olives, has long been linked to cancer prevention, it is now regarded as having the potential to help us prevent bone loss as well. 

Olives are also known to be a high fat food, however the fats they contain are monosaturated fats, which are considered “good” fats in that a diet high in monosaturated fats but low in saturated fats can lead to a decrease in cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

2. Fish

Of fish, Allah says in the Surah An Nahl (16:40) “And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships ploughing through it, and [He subjected it] that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful.” 

Fish is one of the healthiest foods on the planet and is full of nutrients that are important for our health such as protein and Vitamin D. It is also the best source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are incredibly important for your body and brain. 

Generally speaking, all types of fish are good for you. They are high in many nutrients that most people aren’t getting enough of. This includes high-quality protein, iodine and various vitamins and minerals. However, some fish are better than others, and the fatty types of fish such as like salmon, trout, sardines, tuna and mackerel are considered the healthiest as they are higher in fat-based nutrients such as the fat-soluble vitamin D, a nutrient that most people are deficient in. It functions like a steroid hormone in the body. 

Fatty fish are also much higher in omega-3 fatty acids which are crucial for your body and brain to function optimally, and are strongly linked to reduced risk of many diseases. To meet your omega-3 requirements, eating fatty fish at least once or twice a week is recommended. 

Fish is largely considered to be among the best foods you can eat for a healthy heart. Researchers believe that the fatty types of fish are even more beneficial for heart health because of their high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Again, the benefits of fish are considerable and are an important part of any healthy balanced diet. 

3. Honey

Lastly, honey is beneficial not only as a food but also for healing. Allah says in Surah An Nahl (16:69) “Then eat from al the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you].” From their bellies comes out a drink of various colours in which there is cure for people. Surely, in that there is a sign for a people who ponder.” 

Possible health benefits of consuming honey have been documented in early Greek, Roman, Vedic, as well as Islamic texts. Modern science is finding that many of the historical claims that honey can be used in medicine may indeed be true. 

Honey also possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties. In modern science, useful applications of honey in chronic wound management has been found in honey. Honey has been shown to help prevent cancer and heart disease. It contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. It can also help reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders. 

Honey is known to be anti-bacterial and anti-fungal due to an enzyme added by bees that make hydrogen peroxide. It is also known to reduce coughs and throat irritation, particularly buckwheat honey. Honey can also help to heal wounds an burns and is now being used as a component in medical dressings. There are many more benefits to health through the use of honey. 

Whilst we have only looked at a few foods mentioned in the Qur’an and their numerous benefits, we can see that the benefit derived from these foods for our health our numerous and beneficial. 

It has been related in Tirmidhi,  

The final messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad  ﷺ mounted the pulpit, then wept and said,

“Ask Allah for forgiveness and health, for after being granted certainty, one is given nothing better than health.” 

We owe it to ourselves and our Creator to ensure we maintain our health through food provided for us. 

Rashda Shanaz

Further details can be obtained from www.realfoodforlife.com; www.whfoods.com and prophetic-medicine.blogspot.co.uk