15 of Prophet Muhammad’s Favorite Food Items & Their Benefits

Sahih al-Bukhari

Healing is in three things: cupping, a gulp of honey, or cauterization. But I forbid my followers to use cauterization (branding with fire).” (Bukhari 5681)

12 – Milk

Milk (حليب) is an amalgam of water, proteins, fat, and some natural sugar. Although 87.5% of milk is water, it is somewhat a complex food. After all, a little calf gets all its nutrition from this milk. Apart from proteins, milk also contains loads of other essential vitamins, such as vitamins A, B12, and D. Milk helps in the development of strong bones and teeth, as it is rich in calcium. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ loved having goat and camel milk. Milk has been mentioned in the Quran as well.

11 – Olives And Its Oil

Olives (زيتون ) are also one of the foods of Jannah. Olives have been mentioned in the Quran 7 times. Olives are packed with nutrients that include copper, calcium, and sodium. Green olives are the most nourishing and can overcome intoxication. Black olives are a little hard on the stomach but a good source of iron. Allah has sworn by olives in the Quran.

The juice of olives, known as olive oil is equally beneficial. It is good for skin and hair, it delays old age, and treats inflammation, and is also used for healing different ailments.

10 – Mushrooms

Mushrooms (فُطْريّات) are a type of fungus, when you hear the word fungus you tend to cringe. But Subhanallah mushrooms hold some significance in Islam. Mushrooms are an excellent source of amino acids, fiber, vitamins, and some minerals. Mushrooms are the only vegetable, next to cod liver oil to contain vitamin D in edible form. They help boost the immune system and contain natural insulin.

9 – Grapes

Our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was very fond of grapes ( عنب). It has a lot of health benefits good for blood purification and beneficial for kidneys as well. Grapes are a good source of vitamins C and K and also contain protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and minerals. Grapes are mentioned in the Holy Quran in numerous places which include Surah Baqarah, Surah Kahf, Surah Nahl, and Surah Ya-Sin.

8 – Dates

The fruits of a date palm tree (النخلة) are called dates( تمر). Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals and are free from cholesterol and contain very low fat. They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin-A, iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, and copper. Other than these healthy benefits our beloved Prophet ﷺ used to plant date trees himself. Fresh dates are recommended to be eaten at the time of childbirth. Dates are sometimes eaten with different things to annul any adverse effects. Prophet Muhammad himself would often eat dates with cucumbers as they’re both the opposite of each other in terms of the effect they have on the body so this helps avoid any harmful effects while strengthening the body.

The importance of dates as a major food item has been stressed upon,

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “People in a house without dates are in a state of hunger.” (Muslim)

It is also an important Sunnah to rub the palates of a newborn with a softened piece of date,known as Tahneek. Dates are one of the best forms of nutritious food for mankind and should be included in our daily diet.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ often consumed a drink called“Nabeez”- prepared from soaked raisins or dates. Nabeez should be consumed within twelve hours of soaking to prevent fermentation. I also recommend that you go through these Sunnahs Of Ramadan & How To Fast Like The Prophet.

7 – Figs

Figs( تين ) also known as the seedless fruit are the fruit from Jannah. It was greatly favored by the Prophet ﷺ. It is low in calories and good for bones. Figs are also known to cleanse the kidneys and bladder. Figs are also a rich source of calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, and high in fiber. They provide more fiber, than any other fruit or vegetable, which is especially easy for the body to absorb.  Figs could actually be a complete diet and one could survive on figs alone.

6 – Pomegranate

Pomegranate( رمان) is mentioned thrice in the Quran. Pomegranate is a rich source of sodium, vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus. Aids in digestion, anti-inflammatory, and a super antioxidant.

Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas narrated “There is not a pomegranate which does not have a pip from one of the pomegranates of Jannah in it.” (Abu Naim)

5 – Water

Most of our lives revolve around water, a divine gift and the drink that quenches the thirst. . The word ماء (water) appears 63 times in the Qur’an. The best kind of water is Zam Zam.

When you are thirsty drinks the water in sips and not in gulps as drinking in gulps causes sickness of the liver. This is the sunnah method of drinking water.

Anas RA narrated, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to sip the water in three separate breaths and would say:

“This method quenches the thirst better and is more palatable and sanitary.’’ MUSLIM

4 – Melon

A summer-friendly fruit, melon (بطيخ) is a Sunnah fruit. It is just mentioned in Hadith and no mention of it in the Quran. This fruit is packed with vitamin A, vitamin C and no extra effort is necessary for an extra intake of water while consuming this fruit. Melons should be eaten before meals or it tends to cause nausea. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ paired melons with fresh dates.

3 – Vinegar

Vinegar (خل) also known as THE SEASONING OF PROPHETS. Vinegar has been mentioned in a number of Hadiths. Vinegar was a part of the diet of all Prophets before Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is narrated by Ayesha RA,

“Allah has put blessings in vinegar for it was truly used by the Prophets before me” MUSLIM

Vinegar cannot be used in its original state it has to be diluted with water, continual use in its concentrated state will lead to increased heartburn and damage the enamel of the teeth. To have vinegar with bread is Sunnah

“A household which has vinegar will never suffer from poverty” TIRMIDHI

2 – Pumpkin

Pumpkin (يقطين) one of the most favored vegetables of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. And eating it is Sunnah. Rich source of vitamin A and C and one of the best-known sources of anti-oxidants. The health benefits of pumpkins are numerous, they regulate blood pressure, improve immunity, good for eyes and skin, great for the heart. It also serves as a cure for many ailments like asthma and heart ailments.

“The Holy Prophet ﷺ, amongst other foods, liked pumpkin.“ TIRMIDHI

1 – Barley

Another Sunnah, barley (شعير ). Barley was the main food item in the diet of our Messenger ﷺ. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mostly consumed barley bread with either meat, soup, pumpkin, vinegar, olive oil, and dates. It has many health benefits and is slow to digest so it keeps us fuller longer. Two of the greatest cures of heart disease are whole wheat and barley. Both provide multiple benefits against heart disease.

When talking about barley it is hard not to mention Talbinah- a porridge made of powdered barley, honey and milk. It was recommended by the Prophet ﷺ to his companions when sufferingan illnes or weakness of any kind.

Let’s Revive The Forgotten Sunnahs

Doctors and nutritionists have begun to define the benefits of all food that has been mentioned in the Quran and Hadith 1400 years back. We don’t need logic to tell us these food items are beneficial, all these Sunnahs havent been practicesd because of laziness, ignorance, or just have been forgotten We can start by trying to incorporate the food items listed into our regular diets. Every Sunnah counts.