Medical Benefits Of Salah

This interview is extracted from Darul Kautsar website

The Daily Prayer (Medical Benefit of Prayer)

Linda Thayer: Welcome again to our viewers and welcome to our guest Dr. Zakir Naik. Assalamu Alaikum.

Dr. Zakir: Walaikum salaam.

Linda Thayer: Dr. Zakir is a medical doctor from India and a spokesman for Islam. After belief in God, the Muslim is required to establish a habit of regular daily prayer. A ritual form is prescribed and times are fixed at 5 times a day. Dr. Zakir, I wonder, a question in many people’s minds; is ritual prayer repeated when it is repeated time and time again, can it benefit anybody? Is there a spiritual aspect to the ritual?

Dr. Zakir: As I mentioned in the earlier episode that Salah is a sort of programming towards righteousness, that we are programmed towards righteousness. And the requirement [is] that it should be repeated [a] minimum [of] 5 times a day. For example for a very healthy body, a doctor will tell you, you require [a] minimum [of] 3 meals a day. Similarly for a spiritual soul, a person is required to offer Salah 5 times a day. And the requirement is, [that] there are chances that because of the evil in the society around us, we may get de-programmed. So if we are kept on being re-programmed, there are more chances that you will remain [steadfast on the] Sirat al mustaqeem, on the straight path. Therefore it is compulsory that every Muslim should offer Salah [a] minimum [of] 5 times a day.

Linda Thayer: What purpose do you think is fulfilled by interrupting one’s daily activities. We have to think in the modern world about time. [Will] the gain offset the loss of productivity and work time?

Dr. Zakir: If you know the rules of management, [you will know] that a person cannot work continuously for hours together. If a person comes to office at 9 o’clock in the morning and sits till 6 o’clock in the evening, continuously for 9 hours, in fact he will be less productive. That is the reason that there are some short breaks given in between. So a person can get re-created, you know we have recreation. Similarly Salah is a sort of recreation. It rejuvenates you. If someone tells me that I am losing time, I am less productive, because I waste 15 minutes having lunch break, I would say that he is not a logical person because only if he has meals regularly, can he do more work. Similarly if a person offers Salah at intervals, I do agree he may have to work for a few minutes but when he stops and he comes back to work he works with a much better frame of mind and productivity overall will be much better. So for a logical person and a modern person he has to agree that there should be breaks so that a person can get recreated and Salah is the best form of rejuvenating your mind.

Linda Thayer: How can one expect to concentrate on the spiritual aspects of prayer, considering that for most of us we pray in a language that is not our own; it is a foreign language. We pray in Arabic normally.

Dr. Zakir: Yes I do agree that it’s compulsory that when we offer Salah we should pray in Arabic language. The requirement is because the Quran cannot be translated into any other language, in perfect total. You can come close to the meaning but not the exact meaning. That is the reason we have to pray in Arabic, the language in which the Quran was revealed, so that there is unanimity, [and] uniformity between the sort of prayer people [offer] throughout the world. And for concentration it is required that every Muslim whatever he reads in the Salah, he should know the meaning. I do agree that there are many Muslims who are unaware of the meaning that they recite, in Salah. That’s why I advise Muslims throughout the world [to] at least know the meaning of those portions of the Quran or those verses they recite in the Salah, so that they can concentrate on the Salah better. They can [then also] implement the guidance that they get in the Salah.

Linda Thayer: As a medical doctor you must have thought quite a bit of the medical benefits of the Salah. You have been talking about the programming effect. What are the medical benefits to the body?

Dr. Zakir: There are several medical benefits of offering Salah and as every Muslim knows that the best part of Salah is the sujood, that is the prostration. No wonder the Quran has mentioned the word sujood, prostration no less then 90 times in the glorious Quran. Where [do] you do sujood in the Salah? Normally when you [stand] erect, blood does flow into the brain but it is not sufficient for a healthy brain. During Salah when you [go into] sujood extra blood flows into the brain, which is very important for [a] healthy brain. When you do sujood, this extra blood supply to the skin on the face [helps] prevent diseases such as chilblain etc. When you do sujood there is drainage of sinuses and there are fewer chances that a person will have sinusitis, that is inflammation of the sinus, this drainage of module sinus, of the frontal sinus, and a person has less chances of having inflammation of the sinus, that is sinusitis. There are various benefits. [For example], when a person does sujood even the bronchitis’s, the secretion of the bronchitis, they get drained, there are less chances of having bronchitis. When a person breathes normally only two thirds of the capacity of the lung is exhaled out, the remaining one third remain in the lung as a residual air, now when you do sujood the abdominal visra, they press against the diaphragm and the diaphragm presses against the lower part of the lungs, the lower lobes, and when you breath during sujood even this one third residual air is aired out and that’s very important for a healthy lung. There are less chances of having diseases of the lungs. When you do sujood, there is increased venes return there is less chance of having hernia, etc. Due to posture in sujood there is less chances of having hemorrhoid, that is piles. In a salah we stand up and we sit down, do qayam, rukuh, sujood and when we stand up from same position the weight is localized on the bottom of the feet and the calve muscle and the thigh muscle are activated and they increase the blood supply to the lower part of the body, which is very important. Further we do various postures like standing erect, bowing down, prostrating, the vertebra column takes various postures and there are less chances of having disease of the vertebrae, of the spine. There are medical benefits [and] you can give a talk only on this topic. But we Muslims, we offer Salah to thank Allah (SWT), to praise Him. These are just side dishes. They are like dessert. You know it may attract a person who is a non-Muslim, towards Salah but our main meal, our main biryani, our main course is to thank Allah (SWT) and to obey the commandments of Allah and the Prophet. That is the reason we offer Salah.

Linda Thayer: How does paying careful attention to Salah bring about piety and righteous behavior? Is there any connection there?

Dr. Zakir: Yes paying careful attention is very important. The more attention you pay during Salah the more chances of you becoming pious. When you offer Salah, as the Quran says in Surah Anqabut, chapter 29, verse 45:” Recite of what we have revealed to thee by inspiration and establish regular prayers, for prayers restrain from shameful and unjust deed”. The Quran says, prayer restrains you from shameful and unjust deeds and makes you a rational person. If you pay careful attention to what you are reading in Salah, you get guidance, that you should not bribe, that you should not rob, that you should be honest, should love your neighbor, you should be good to your wife, good to your parents etc. And the more you offer Salah with concentration the more righteous you will become.

Linda Thayer: Thank you very much Doctor and thank you to our viewers for joining us

Wisdom behind Drinking Water in 3 Draughts

There is nothing in the Prophet’s Sunnah to indicate that it is mustahabb to drink water or sips of water before eating food. Perhaps the one who thought that that is Sunnah imagined it because it is proven in the Sunnah that it is mustahabb to drink in three draughts. But this is something other than what the questioner thought, because the fact that that is mustahabb has nothing to do with eating food. It is the same whether one drinks before or after eating or whilst eating, or in any other situation; it is mustahabb for him to consume his drink in three draughts.

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to breathe three times when drinking, and he would say: “It is more thirst-quenching, healthier and more wholesome.” Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh (2028).

Ibn al-Qayyim said: What is meant by breathing whilst drinking is moving the vessel away from the mouth and breathing outside of it, then going back to drinking. Zaad al-Maaad, 4/210.

There are great wisdom and important benefits in drinking in this manner. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) drew attention to them when he said: “It is more thirst-quenching, healthier and more wholesome.”

Thirst-quenching means it is more hydrating and beneficial.

Healthier means it is better for one.

Wholesome means that it is healing; it relieves one from intense thirst and sickness to which that may lead, because it comes to the stomach in stages one after another; the second draught soothes that which could not be soothed by the first, and the third soothes that which could not be soothed by the second.

And it was said that wholesome means that it is free from any disease or harm that may result from drinking in one draught.

See: Sharh Saheeh Muslim by al-Nawawi, 13/199


Ibn al-Qayyim said: One of the problems caused by drinking in one draught is that there is a fear of choking, as the oesophagus may be blocked by the large amount of liquid flowing through it. But if he breathes slowly, then drinks, he will be safe from that. End quote.

Zad al-Maaad, 4/231

http://www.islam- qa.com/en/ ref/141309

Wisdom Behind Drinking whilst Sitting

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

It is permissible to drink both sitting and standing, although drinking whilst sitting is better, and it is what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did most often.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said, explaining the negative effect of drinking whilst standing and the importance of drinking whilst sitting:

Drinking whilst standing has numerous negative effects, one of which is that it does not fully quench the thirst and does not settle in the stomach so that the liver can distribute the nutrients to other parts of the body. Rather it comes to the stomach with speed and force, and there is the fear that it will cause a chill or disturbance, and may pass quickly to the lower parts of the body without moving gradually. All of that is harmful to the drinker, but if he does it occasionally or in the case of need, it will not harm him... End quote from Zaad al-Maaad, 4/229.

Al-Tahhaawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

It was narrated that al-Shabi said: Drinking whilst standing is only disliked because it is harmful. And al-Shabi gave the reason for which this is not allowed: because of the fear of either harm and disease that results from that, and nothing else.

In forbidding that, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was motivated by compassion for his ummah and sought to tell them to do that which is in their best interests in both religious and worldly terms, as he said to them, “As for me, I do not eat reclining.” That does not mean that it is haraam for them to do that, rather the meaning is that there is some fear for them if they eat reclining.

Al-Shabi mentioned the reason why the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) disliked eating reclining, and it is only because of what happens as a result, such as enlargement of the belly. The same is true of what was narrated from him about the prohibition on drinking whilst standing; it is only because of what may result from that and he disliked it for that reason and no other. End quote from Sharh Maaani al-Aathaar, 4/274

What the believer should do is follow the guidance and Sunnah of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), whether he knows the wisdom behind it or not; there is nothing wrong with asking about the reason or looking for it so as to increase his faith or to debate, in the way that is better, with those who reject this Sunnah.

http://www.islam- qa.com/en/

Science behind veil

The Science Behind the Veil

By Karima Burns (MH, ND)

The moral duty of wearing the veil in Islam is an often-discussed topic among Muslim women. However, little has been written about scientific reasons that the veil is beneficial for society. There are, in fact, a number of health benefits that wearing the veil can provide, as well as many behavioral science studies that suggest that the veil is the best attire for women.

Protecting the head is very important from a health perspective. Results of medical tests show that 40-60% of body heat is lost through the head, so persons wearing head coverings during cold months are protected about fifty-percent more than those who do not.

Chinese and Muslim medical texts take this concept even further. In the Hua Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic on Internal Medicine), wind is said to cause sudden changes within the body, and shaking, swaying, and other movements that potentially upset the body’s equilibrium; thus, creating bad health. These texts attribute the common cold to wind elements entering the body and causing the typical symptoms of sneezing and a runny nose.

In the traditional Islamic medical texts of Al-Jawziyya, we can find numerous references to the "four elements" of fire, water, air, and earth, and how these affect the body in adverse ways. In particular, we are advised to stay away from drafts and to protect our heads in wind, breezes, drafts, and cold weather. All outdoor workers should wear some sort of head covering for this reason.

Protecting the head is even more important in warm weather. V.G. Rocine, a prominent brain research specialist, has found that brain phosphorus melts at 108 degrees; a temperature that can be easily reached if one stays under the hot sun for any length of time without a head covering. When this happens, irreversible brain damage, memory loss and loss of some brain functions can result. Although this example is extreme, brain damage can still be measured in small degrees from frequent exposure to and overheating of the head. Bernard Jensen, a naturopath and chiropractor, states that this is because the brain runs on the mineral phosphorus, which is very effected by heat.

Last, but not least, a veil or head covering should be worn by all public workers serving society to ensure cleanliness and purity. Workers in a number of professions wear "veils" - nurses, fast food workers, deli counter workers, restaurant workers and servers, doctors, health care providers, and many more. In fact, when we compare the number of workers who cover their heads to the number who do not, we find that more people probably cover their heads than do not.

Aside from personal and public health benefits of the veil, it has numerous other benefits to society. In Analyzing Visual Data, Ball and Smith discuss the acknowledgement of sociologists that visual representations are influential in shaping people's views of the world and their interpretations of life. Men use visual data to interpret their relationships with the women around them.

Many studies have found that when a person tries to rewire their instinctual perceptions, they are usually only rewired on the surface; their original perceptions still exist on some level. Brain studies show that we exist in a world of constantly varying light variables that force the brain to perform what is called "lateral inhibition;" consequently, it provides us with a "steady" image as opposed to a "true" image of what we see. Furthermore, lateral inhibition networks operate as part of the "unconscious" brain; largely, without providing any information to the "conscious" part of the brain about what they are doing. Therefore, the brain can provide varying perceptions of the world without our even being fully conscious of what it is processing.

Further studies cited in Encyclopedia Britannica show that how a female presents herself to society falls under the category of ritualized behavior through which animals provide specific information to other animals, usually members of its own species. Virtually all higher animals, including humans, use displays to some extent to do this, and the best-known displays are visual ones. Some biologists actually restrict the term display to refer to visual signals or gestures. These visual signals, which in animals can be simply a bright color or plume, encourage attraction. In humans, they are usually exhibited in ornamental hair, make up, or clothing.

In our society, most of the time attractive hairstyles and clothing are worn for the purpose of making the adorner more attractive (advertising and television have institutionalized this reality). The ever-changing variations in fashion tend to affect the brain because it typically has trouble constantly adjusting to changing shadows and forms in the world. Reasonably then, through "lateral inhibition," the brain automatically simplifies these images into the unconscious message that attractive hair and clothing are MEANT to attract. Joining these two concepts together, we can see how the human male could receive the signal of "attraction" from the brain before he has enough time to "block" it by "lowering his gaze."

Having to re-form an image already processed by the lateral inhibition network is a cause of stress for most people. Doing this day after day, after seeing many "displays," potentially causes a great cumulative stress on society.

In early times, stress caused the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in an outpouring of the hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucocorticoids that were essential to the life-preserving fight or flight reactions of primitive man. However, the nature of stress for individuals living today is different. It is only occasionally that one is confronted with unexpected, overwhelming, life-threatening stresses.

Present day stresses arise from many things; among these are the vast amounts of visual and physical input we are bombarded with in this "information age" of personal freedom. The problem we face in this is that the body still continues to respond in the same fashion as during primitive times, releasing large amounts of these hormones, which can be very harmful. They can cause an increase in blood pressure, damage muscle tissue, lead to infertility, inhibit growth, damage the hippocampus, and suppress the immune system.

The two most effective solutions to this problem are, first, to convince the advertising industry, and society as a whole, to alter the presentation of women to our males. The second and more viable way is to simply influence women to dress modestly, which will help ensure that they do not send inappropriate visual signals to men.

Covering the hair can also have a beneficial effect on the female psyche as well. Studies of women being interviewed for jobs show that there is a high correlation between what they wear and their perceptions of how successful they will be in their interviews.

There are many more examples of how what we wear can influence how we act. Wearing a veil can serve to remind women of their religious duties and behavioral expectations. It can also serve as a reminder to women that we are not only individuals, but also representatives and diplomats of our "Ummah."

Science behind Sajdah {Prostration}

QUOTE
Random, but ever wonder why it's not common for muslims to have Alzheimers? Performing the sujood causes blood circulation to the brain, multiply that by the number of times the sujood is done, taking into account the years... Hence, a good memory and lesser chance of mental deterioration.

Although I've never heard about Muslims having less Alzheimers, it's very much possible that doing sajda in prayer is one of the reasons for this, because doctors believe that increased blood flow to the brain can have beneficial effects on the brain and nervous system, including memory.

Besides increasing blood flow to the brain, sajda also has beneficial effects on the neck muscles, as the following article explains.

_______________________________________


The Medical Benefits of Sajdah

Dr. Muhammad Karim Beebani

Sajdah is a unique position or stance in the regular prayers, which a Muslim is supposed to offer at least five times a day. Although the basic purpose of obligatory prayers is not to provide an exercise for people yet it is being increasingly recognized that it has plenty of medical advantages for the human body. Here it is worth mentioning that Holy Prophet Muhammad has mentioned in a hadith in Ibn Majah that prayer is a cure for many diseases. The fact is that a person who offers his prayers regularly that too in the mosque is protected from many diseases which he many not even know.

The position of Sajdah in which the forehead touches the earth is exclusively associated with the Muslim form of prayer. It is the climax of a Muslim's prayer and as mentioned in a Hadith a Muslim is nearest to Allah in this position.

Abu Huraira (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah said:
"The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state)"
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

A'ishah Siddiqa (radiAllahu anha) narrates that Holy Prophet used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Qur'an) before he would lift his head
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

In another Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiAllahu anhu) the Holy Prophet advised Muslims to perform Ruku (bowing) and Sajdah properly.

In another Hadith he advised to perform Sajdah and Bowing calmly and to get up only when the body has come to ease.

In supplication for the victory, He also performed long bowing (Ruku) and Sajdah in the special prayers at the time of eclipse. Hence the first positive effect upon a person who prostrates or does Sajdah is that he comes nearest to Allah and hence in that condition he can supplicate. This is a great psychological advantage and it gives relief to the person concerned as life is full of worries and in this position he gets at least a transient refuge from the agonizing problems. When a person goes to the position of prostration Sajdah his whole body is in active motion. This position can be considered as a mini dive as the musalli (one who offers prayer) goes to rest his forehead on the ground while his hands are placed at the sides. This brings most of the body muscles if not all in active motion and serves to give them some exercise.

The hands are then specifically stretched out and thence the forearm as well as arm muscles are supposed to bear the weight in the Sajdah position. It gives good exercise to the muscles of the upper limb. Holy Prophet in a hadith advised not to put the forearms flatly on the ground but to keep them elevated above ground and this is better for the forearm and arm muscles.

Sajdah is a unique position as this is the only position in which brain (or head) becomes lower than the heart and hence for the first time the blood gushes towards the brain with full force whereas in all other positions (even when lying) brain is above the heart when it has to work against gravity to send blood to the brain.

In the position of Sajdah due to the increased blood supply the brain receive more nourishment and it has good effect upon memory, vision, hearing, concentration, psyche and all other cognitive abilities. People who offer their prayers regularly have more will power and can cope with the difficulties of life in a much better manner. They have less incidence of headaches, psychological problems and other defects of cognitive function.

In the unique position of Sajdah the neck muscles get best exercise. They have to bear the load when the forehead lies at the ground hence the neck muscles become stronger. One can note the tense pressure at the neck muscles in the position of Sajdah specially the active motion of the neck and the facial muscles when the head is being lifted. (e.g. one inch above the ground) and it will be noticed that they are in a very active motion.

More strong cervical muscles mean the cervical vertebra will be better protected. Strength of cervical muscles is important as the head rests upon cervical vertebra supported by cervical musculature.

Infact head performs rotator movements over the cervical vertebra. In any accident cervical neck examination is especially important to the physicians because of its extraordinary importance.

It is uncommon that a person who offers his prayers regularly will get the usual neck myalgias or cervical spondylosis as the neck muscles particularly become very strong due to the 34 sajdahs offered daily in five prayers.

Position of Sajdah is also said to be a good treatment for the retroversion of uterus, a disease of women.

Most of us do not know that the position of Sajdah is an excellent exercise for men (for manpower). It may be a good information to the Viagra dependents. While getting up from Sajdah the perinneal muscles are one of those muscles which have to pull the trunk back to sitting position and they contract actively. Similarly while standing up from Sajdah the perennial muscles are again actively mobilised and this gives much strength to the muscles important for manpower.

The unique position of Sajdah also has positive effects upon the back muscles as while going into Sajdah and getting up from it the back muscle contract actively and they become stronger. Probably it is because of this reason that a person who is regular in prayers will uncommonly get backache.

After performing Sajdah either the musalli stands up or he sits to pray Attahiyyat. In this position the person sits calmly while his hands rest at his thighs which are folded backwards. This is much similar to the relaxation position of Yoga and has soothing effect upon one's health and mentation.

Holy Prophet Muhammad used to elongate the position of Ruku (bending) and Sajdah positions and he advised to do so. In the light of the above facts it is appropriate to say that from medical point of view as well this advice is a golden rule for health.

Finally it must be reminded that prayer is not meant to be an exercise. However there are a lot of medical advantages associated with it.

Still the best blessing is the peace of mind, which a person derives by the accomplishment of his duty to Allah by fulfilling an obligation.

Source: http://www.geocities...its_sajdah.html

Changing clothes before sleeping

Changing clothes before sleeping

SCIENCE; For hygiene purposes it is advised not to sleep in the clothing worn throughout the day, but to wear something lose fittingas tight clothing does not benefit one's sleep. Whilst sleeping our limbs are stationary affecting the blood circulation; wearing tight clothing will affect the circulation further.

SUNNAH; The Messenger of Allah would wear a lose fitting garment known as the tehband.

Sunnah of putting dates for new-born & science

It is a long-established custom among Muslim parents to put a piece of a well-chewed date {or other available sweet fruit} in the mouth of a new born baby. Muslims do this following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad{ Peace be upon him}, believing him to be, as the Qur'an says. sent as a healing and a mercy to mankind. We may infer from the way this custom originated that there is a virtue in it . There is - complimentary to the virtue and pleasure of following the sunnah {practice of Prophet} - placing a "sugary substance" inside the mouth of a new-born baby dramatically reduces pain sensation and heart rate. An intresting scientific medical study , published in the British Medical Journal {No 6993, 10 June 1995}, proved beyond any doubt the benefit of giving a new-born child sugar, in prder to reduce the feeling of any painful procedure like heel pricking for a blood sample or before circumcision.

The study entitled 'The analgesic {pain killing} effect of sucrose in full term infants : a randomised controlled trial", was done by Nora Haourari, Christopher Wood, Gillian Griffiths and Malcolm Levene in the post-natal ward in the Leeds General Infirmary in England. 60 healthy infants of gestational age 37-42 weeks and post-natal age of 1-6 days, were randomized to receive 2ml of one of the four solutions : 12.5% sucrose, 25% sucrose, 50% sucrose and sterile water {control}

The first group of 30 babies received sugar syrup before a routine blood test {heel pricking which is usually painful} done to detech jaundice. The other 30 babies were given only sterile

water as control group. Placing 2ml of a 25% or 50% sucrose solution on the tongue before pricking the heel significantly reduced the crying time, compared to babies who got water. Also, their heart rate returned to normal more quickly. The stronger sugar solution had the greater efffect, crying being reduced further with the increasing concentration of sucrose. From which we may conclude that sucrose {sugar} placed on the tongue may be useful and safe form of analgesia for use with newborn infants.

Blass and Hoffmeyer also showed that 12% solution of inter-oral sucrose significantly reduced the duration of crying in new-born babies subjected to heel pricking or circumcision. This study was reported in The Independent newspaper {Friday 9 June 1995} as well as in the British Medical Journal article.

The practice of Muhammad { peace be upon him} is recorded in the collection of his sayings and reports, of which the most revered are the two Sahih collections of Bukhari and Muslim : Abu Buradah reported from Abu Musa , who said : "I had a new-born baby ; I took him to the Prophet Muhammad {peace be upon him}. The prophet chewed a date then he took it and rubbed the inside of the baby's mouth with it. There are many other such reported incidents.

The date contains a very high percentage of sugar {70-80 %}; it has both fructose and glucose which have high calorific values, it is easily and quickly digestable, and very helpful to the brain.

The date contains 2.2% protein , vitamin A, vitamins B1, B2 adnicotruic acid {against Pellagra};

have high calorificvalues, it is easily and quickly digestable, and very helpful to the brain. It has traces of minerals needed for a body such as potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper. Potassium , of which percentage is very high, has beed found to be very effective for cases of haemorrhage , such as the occasions of birth or circumcision.

We may note that the Sunnah also commends dates for the breaking of fast in the holy month of Ramdhan. Dates shud be eaten , if available, before the sun-set prayer - this is medically and nutritionally the best way and the Sunnah.

The great worth of dates is also indicated in a famous and beautiful passage of Qura'n, Surah Maryam
"And shake towards you the trunk of the palm-tree and it will drop on you fresh ripe dates. So eat and drink and be comforted.

This was the prescription of God, the Creator, for the blessed Virgin Mary at the time of birth of

Jesus, the blessed Prophet of God. It was a prescription to make it easy and comfortable. As in the example we have briefly recorded , we believe further research will confirm for those who still dount the full worth and truth, the wisdom, of the teachings of Quran and sunnah.

"We shall show then our signs of the furthest horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient thatt your Lord is witness over all things " {Quran 41 : 53}

As the authors of the medical study referred to intend trying new sugary or sweet substances , we shall recommend that they try dates for the newborn for relief of pain.

Source : Islamic Voice Magazine