Basket Of Barakah

While fasting is known for its many health benefits, ensuring the proper and safe ways of practising it should be given extra attention to avoid putting our health at risk. One of the tips for healthy Ramadan is maintaining a balanced diet.

A balanced diet, particularly during Ramadan, is vital to ensure our body absorbs as many nutrients as possible in order to keep us energised despite fasting for about 13 hours. Ramadan teaches us that a balanced diet is not all about quantity, rather it is the quality of food choices that can bring out the most health benefits. 

Today we turn to science; dieticians to inform our nutritional decisions. Good carbs, bad carbs, fats, sugars, the good ones and the bad ones. Fruit, while generally healthy also have a ranking of the good, better and best. The quran and sunnah advised on the best of these 1400 years ago – to eat the fruits from the garden of Jannah!

“And We have placed gardens of date-palms and grapes, and caused springs to gush forth therein, so that they may eat fruits thereof, while it was not made by their hands. Would they not then offer gratitude?” 

(36:34-35)

Here are six of the fruits mentioned in the Quran, in the hopes that we will always continue to learn and gain knowledge from the Quran:

1. Pomegranates

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, “There is not a pomegranate which does not have a pip from one of the pomegranates from the garden of Jannah.

2. Olives

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.  Prophet Muhammad SAW 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)

3. Fig 

The Prophet SAW mentioned figs and then stated, “If I had to mention a fruit that descended from paradise I would say this is it because the paradisiacal fruits do not have pits…eat from these fruits for they prevent haemorrhoids, prevent piles and help gout.” (Bukhari)

4. Grapes 

In the medicine of the Prophet Muhammad SAW; it is also mentioned that Allah’s Messenger, Prophet Muhammad SAW loved grapes and melons. Although alcohol is forbidden, the Quran mentions grapes alone six times. In fact, grape juice has recently been found to be an important source of flavonoids that can lower risk for cancer, lower cholesterol, prevent hardening of the arteries and fight heart disease.

5. Dates

Everyone knows the importance of dates for the health, as well as it is mentioned in the Quran. The Holy Prophet SAW used to receive them as gifts and he also ate them fondly. Regarding the great benefits of dates, he (SAW) said: “He who eats seven ‘Ajwa dates every morning will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.” (Bukhari)

6. Banana 

Stated in the Quran, “Amid thornless lote-trees, and banana-trees (with fruits), one above another, and extended shade, and water flowing constantly, and abundant fruit, neither intercepted nor forbidden.” The health benefits of the banana are many, including decreasing blood pressure, helping regulate weight fluctuations, and helping regulate your digestive system with its high amounts of dietary fiber.