Eat Healthy like the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ During This Pandemic
by Hessy TrishandianiWith COVID-19 still affecting the world, many of us are finding ourselves stuck at home for most of the day, juggling between work and other responsibilities. Figuring out what to eat can be yet another daily challenge and it may be tempting to sideline healthy eating when faced with more dire needs, ranging from emotional to financial.
Eating a nourishing and balanced diet is important to maintain good health physically and vital in supporting mental health as well. Figuring out how to add some nutritional balance to our daily intake may help make the process feel less daunting and potentially improve our health in the long run.
Healthy eating habits were also recommended by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The following list provides 5 of his favorite foods along with their health benefits which we can consider to consume in our daily life.
Dates
Who doesn’t know dates? These are the delicious fruits grown from the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and are native to the area of the Middle East. While dates are high in natural sugar, they also contain many essential nutrients that must be included in our daily diet. These fruits are rich in fiber, Vitamin B-6 and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, and copper. A study from International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine stated that dates also show a role in disease prevention through anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activity.
Speaking of dates, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to have seven dates every single day and recommended us to consume it.
Narrated by Sa`d, Rasulullah ﷺ said,
“He who eats seven ‘Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.” [Bukhari 5445]
Honey
People have used honey in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. According to a study published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, high-quality honey contains many important antioxidants. These include organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids. Scientists believe that the combination of these compounds gives honey its antioxidant power. Antioxidants have been linked to reduced risk of heart attacks, strokes, some types of cancer and may also promote eye health.
The Prophet ﷺ used to drink a glass of water mixed with honey every single morning. Just like he said in a hadith,
“Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterizing).” But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire.” [Bukhari 5681]
Olive Oil
Olive oil is the natural oil extracted from olives, the fruit of the olive tree. Experts agreed that olive oil has many health benefits, especially the extra virgin olive oil that has numerous benefits for heart health. It lowers blood pressure, protects “bad” LDL cholesterol, particles from oxidation and improves the function of blood vessels. The other good news is it also doesn’t cause weight gain if you use it for cooking. In a 30-month study in over 7,000 Spanish college students, consuming a lot of olive oil was not linked to increased weight.
Olives are also one of Prophet Muhammad’s favorite foods. It was narrated from ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“Season (your food) with olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.” [Ibn Majah 3319]
Milk
New research from the University of South Australia assessed genetic biomarkers among more than 400,000 people. The study found that greater milk consumption was associated with lower blood cholesterol, lower blood lipid levels and a lower risk of heart disease. Apart from that research, people who have a diet rich in milk and milk products can reduce the risk of low bone mass throughout the life cycle as it is rich in calcium. Foods in the milk group provide vital nutrients, including calcium, potassium, vitamin D and protein.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also loved having goat and camel milk. Milk is even mentioned in the Quran:
“And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies – between excretion and blood – pure milk, palatable to drinkers.” [Quran16:66]
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain and it was one of the first cultivated grains, particularly in Eurasia as early as 10,000 years ago. According to Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, epidemiological studies have consistently shown that regular consumption of whole grain barley reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases and combats common nutrition-related diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. The Prophet ﷺ apparently also used to have barley in the form of bread, dough and porridge.
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered upon us, and with him was Ali bin Abu Talib, who had recently recovered from an illness. We had bunches of unripe dates hanging up, and the Prophet ﷺ was eating from them. Ali reached out to eat some, and the Prophet ﷺ said to Ali: ‘Stop, O Ali! You have just recovered from an illness.’ I made some greens and barley for the Prophet ﷺ, and the Prophet ﷺ said to Ali: ‘O Ali, eat some of this, for it is better for you.’” [Ibn Majah 3442]
These healthy foods are certainly not limited to be consumed during this pandemic. We can make it as a healthy habit that is inherent in our daily lives like Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and reap both the health and sunnah benefits. May Allah always protect and bless us all with good health and happiness.
Assalam Aleikum! Thank you for posting this article it was very informative, something that I’m planning to implement.
Thank you
Please restore my premium account asap
Similar thing has happened before but bc my phone was damaged n I got a new phone, I went ahead n purchases premium again.
Assalamu Aliekum! Thanks for your wonderful posting very interesting about our prophet mohammed (SAWS) his good eating diet.lessons well learn.. thanks JAK..
Salam Ahlikoum
Est ce qu’il serait possible d’avoir la traduction en Français ,
Barak’Allahu Fikoum
Excellent
It is useful
Excellent
ما شاء الله
thanks for sharing
Yes
JazakAllahkhayr this is a good informative article
Having said that I believe it is incomplete because out of context in the 21st century
For example, at the time 1400 year ago milk was pure, animals were fed and cared for properly, he also mentioned goat and camel milk not cow milk
These days milk is consumed mainly from cows who are fed a diet not suitable for them, given antibiotics and hormones to increase production of milk all these methods are unnatural and results in lots of people having allergies and side effects from drinking milk these days
With regards to honey again unless eating raw organic honey preferably local it can cause health issues especially that honey bought in supermarkets have added auger in them so again a health issue
So , I agree, that all these food are good for us but the context in which these foods are available these days has to be pointed out too for people to make the right choice when buying them InshaAllah
Too much information.. just say in the name of Allah and drink or eat we know everything is not natural this days..
My thoughts exactly.
The only ones I would follow and recommend from here are only dates and barley. You’ve already given good points about honey and milk which I agree with.
For anyone reading, I’d like to add that even olive oil is not considered healthy anymore because of the processing that turns the oil to to trans fat which leads to many degenerative diseases especially cancer. Taking olives as whole fruit is much better.
MASHA ALLAH MASHA ALLAH MASHA ALLAH, SUBHAN ALLAH
Alhamdulillah the information shared is very inspiring. Will try to incorporate some of the food mentioned as part of my daily diet in shaa Allah
It’s a good information about health besides it’s a sunnah to be followed
Allhamdulillah I’m trying to have all the things which in mention i
Assalamualikum . Alhumdulillah thanks for sharing this wonderful information about healthy eating .
Maa shaa Allah tabarakalla Alhamdulilah May Allah almighty intervene Ameen
Barakallahu fih
The advice required these days excellent information
Marsha Allah
What’s Meant by Al-Kawsar in suratul Kawsar
Thank you
Excellent quotes
Very productive writing. Thanks
Yes thank you for this information.
Thank You Mashallah ????????
Thanks for the info. I know about them but it’s good to be reminded.
Btw… my lifetime purchase of premium Muslim Pro was charged to regular first week of Ramadan. I’ve tried to restore it but always says an error has occurred. Please restore my lifetime purchase a couple of years or so ago. Now u have raised the price but that doesn’t mean u get to change my account from premium to regular. Please restore my account ASAP
Absolutely
Good post
Its beautiful and moreover this kind of post keep us connected with Islam and Sunnah.
I learned a lot. Thank you
You guys missed Fig (Sura Tin)… And also Butter
As salamu alaykum; we give praise to our Creator for giving and providing knowledge of healthy eating to the Prophet (Peace be upon him), & Muslims for centuries to come. Allahu Akbar, foreseeing for centuries to come, unhealthy crisis in wait to attack our body & souls…SubhanAllah
Alhamdulilah