Salaam VELA fam! Today’s blog post will focus on certain foods that we should incorporate into our diet. Before we dive into this topic, we should familiarize ourselves with the sunnah of eating. Before eating or drinking, one should always say “Bismillah,” to express gratitude to Allah (SWT) for providing us with sustenance. In addition, one should always eat and drink from their right hand. Another thing to keep in mind is to always eat/drink in moderation, and not to waste anything. It is also sunnah to eat/drink while sitting down.

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah will be pleased with His slave who praises Him (i.e., says Alhamdulillah) when he eats and praises Him when he drinks.’ [Sahih Muslim 2734 a].

Let’s explore some of the Sunnah foods and how they are beneficial to our health!

1. Dates

• Nutrient Rich: high in Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron
• Aid in Digestion: promote a healthy gut microbiome
• Heart Health: can reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease
• Energy Boost: carbohydrate rich and help others feel active throughout the day
• Natural Labor: consuming dates can help induce natural labor!

“So a voice reassured her from below her, “Do not grieve! Your Lord has provided a stream at your feet. And shake the trunk of this palm tree towards you, it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon you. So eat and drink, and put your heart at ease. But if you see any of the people, say, ‘I have vowed silence to the Most Compassionate, so I am not talking to anyone today.’” [Surah Maryam verses 24-26]

2. Honey

• Wound healing: honey is a natural remedy for wounds and many skin conditions including eczema and acne
• Cough Suppressant: help alleviate sore throat and coughing symptoms
• Gut Health: Stimulate production of digestive enzymes
• Allergy Relief: honey introduces the body to pollen which in turn helps reduce the body’s inflammatory reaction to allergies
• Sleep Quality: honey promotes the release of melatonin to regulate our sleep cycles.

“and feed from ˹the flower of˺ any fruit ˹you please˺ and follow the ways your Lord has made easy for you.” From their bellies comes forth liquid of varying colors, in which there is healing for people. Surely in this is a sign for those who reflect.” (Surah Al-Nahl, verse 69)

3. Barley

• Natural Remedy for SIckness: relieves throat itchiness, stuffy nose, etc.
• Natural Detox: cleanses your gut
• Hydration: Helps retain water
• Heart Health: Strengthens the heart and improves circulation
• Nutrient Rich: High in Protein

Narrated by Aishah [RA]: “When a member of the family of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would fall sick, he would order to make the barley soup and then the ill person was commanded to drink that soup. He ﷺ used to say that it strengthens the heart and relieves the heart of ill person as if one would feel after washing dirt off of one’s face.”

4. Figs

• Nutrient Rich: High fiber, magnesium, and potassium
• Can be used to treat bad breath
• Antioxidant RIch: known to reduce forms of cancer and diseases
• Brain Health: High Phosphorus content can improve neurological function
• Cough Suppressant: helps treat coughs, asthma, and even diabetes
• Improve Digestion: natural laxative and anti-ulcer properties

Hazrat Abu Darda narrated that someone presented the Prophet with a plate of figs and he said, “Eat figs! If I would say a certain type of fruit was sent down to us from the heavens I would say it’s a fig because it has no seeds. It cures the piles and is useful for rheumatism.”

5. Pomegranates

• Nutrient Rich: High Vitamin K, C, Folate, and Potassium
• Antioxidant Rich: eliminates free radicals and reduces ROS in the body to prevent diseases
• Aid in Digestion: High in fiber
• Heart Health: Lower blood pressure and prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol
• Improve Sleep Quality: High in Magnesium which helps relax the nervous system
• One of the blessed fruits in Paradise!

"There is not a pomegranate which does not have a pip from one of the pomegranates of the Garden (of Jannah) in it." (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi)

6. Olives

• Hair Health: Adds shine to hair and builds hair density
• Skin Health: Contains Squalene which is known to nourish the skin and can help treat dry skin conditions like eczema
• Anti-Aging: contains antioxidants that prevent premature aging
• Heart Health: High amount of monounsaturated fatty acids which help increase HDL cholesterol
• Anti-inflammatory: help reduce allergies and cough symptoms

“Eat olive oil and use it on your hair and skin, for it comes from a blessed tree.” (al-Tirmidhi, 1775)