i) Barley
Barley crops are farmed during the season of Rabi, and are used mostly in the
“In the life-time of the Prophet we used to give one Sa’ of food or one Sa’ of dates or one Sa’ of barley or one Sa’ of Raisins (dried grapes) as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. And when Muawiya became the Caliph and the wheat was (available in abundance) he said, “I think (observe) that one Mudd (of wheat) equals two Mudds (of any of the above mentioned things).” (Bukhari)
The Apostle ﷺ of Allah also recommended it as a great source of curing illness and weakness. Ummul Manzar states that the Prophet ﷺ along with Ali came to their house, they had dates and those were presented to them. Both of them ate from those dates. When Ali (R.A) consumed a little of those, the Prophet ﷺ said”
“You recently recovered from illness, hence you are weak, hence don’t eat more. Therefore, that lady prepared a dish from barley and beet root. Then, the Prophet ﷺ told Ali “eat from it, it is better for you”. (Tirmidhi)
The modern scientific research also proved the great effects of this food on health and is considered to be among world`s healthiest nourishments.
ii) Milk
It is associated with strengthening of bones as it contains calcium, curing gastric diseases, strengthening of memory and vision and many other healthy effects on one`s body. The Messenger ﷺ of God used to love having milk of goat and camel which was common at that time. He also preferred it over wine at Jerusalem while being on the journey of Miraj when Jibael (A.S) brought two jars of drinks containing wine and milk and presented them to Him.
iii) Dates
They are free from any cholesterol and are very low at containing fats. Dates are considered to be very healthy to use as they include vitamins especially B-6 and useful minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, iron and calium for which are highly essential for human body. The Holy Prophet ﷺ used to receive them as gifts and He also ate them fondly. Regarding great benefits of dates, He 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)
iv) Figs
Anjeer (figs) are linked with curing ailments of stomach, strengthening of bones, and curing of piles and gout diseases. It is among the desired foods of the Prophet ﷺ. It is also one of the fruits from Paradise, and there is a separate Chapter in the Holy Quran on it. Allah SWT says in His Book:
“By the fig and the olive” [Quran, 95: 1]
v) Honey
Considered to be the best natural therapy for curing almost every disease, the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to take honey and also recommended it to others.
“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 remedies, the Qur’an and honey” [Bukhari]
From above mentioned Hadith, one can say that honey is indeed the medicine of the medicines. Some of the most useful curing attributes of this blessing of Allah SWT are generating hunger, toughening up of the stomach, cause of soothing to the eyes, and elimination of phlegm etc.
vi) Olive Oil
Zaitoon (Olive) is also one of the foods from Jannah (paradise) and it has been mentioned along with figs in the Holy Quran:
“By the fig and the olive” [Quran, 95: 1]
It is considered to be an excellent means of treatment for skin and imparting strength to hair. It helps in healing inflammation of stomach and is also linked with slowing down the process of aging. Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ used to take it himself and also suggested it to others because of its great curing benefits. Narrated by Abu Hurairah (R.A):
“Eat Olive and use it as an ointment as it produced from a blessed tree.” (Tirmidhi)
vii) Grapes
These are medically proved to be helpful in purification of blood, providing strength and energy, strengthening of kidneys, cleaning the bowels. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to eat it keenly and was also presented with grapes as a present. It is also one of the fruits of the heaven, and is mentioned in the Holy Quran:
“And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines you take intoxicant and good provision. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who reason.” [Quran, 16: 67]
Hence, Allah SWT has regarded it as a medicine in the above stated Quranic Verse.
viii) Vinegar
The Messenger ﷺ used to eat vinegar with olive oil. It has great effects on body functioning as it is useful for performance of spleen, helpful in controlling belly, satisfies thirst, aids in digestion of food etc. Jaabir bin Abdullaah (R.A) reported:
“The Messenger ﷺ of Allah asked his family for a condiment and they replied, “We do not have anything but vinegar”. So he called for it and began to eat, saying, “How good a condiment is vinegar” (Muslim)
So, it was preferred by Rasulullah ﷺ to have vinegar as a flavor while having something to eat.
ix) Cucumber
Cucumber is vastly linked with quenching thirst, curing the inflammation of stomach, easing down pains of bladder etc. The Holy Prophet ﷺ used to take it as a means of Salad.
“The Messenger ﷺ of Allah used to eat Qiththa (cucumber) with Rutab (fresh dates). “ (Tirmidhi)
x) Pumpkin
It is medically proven as a source of lowering the risk of prostate cancer, protecting against swelling of joints, lessening of wrinkles on face, stimulating the functioning of kidneys etc. It was also the top most desired food of Rasulullah ﷺ.
“The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) amongst all other foods, liked pumpkin. (Tirmidhi)