The study of life of the Messenger ﷺ of Allah shows that although he lived most of his time in austerity, yet he always remained thankful to God for all. He used to eat everything he was presented with and never complained about it. Everybody must have a knowledge what foods are most liked by our Prophet (Peace be upon him) and what are the health benefits of these Sunnah Foods? Some of them are also mentioned in Holy Qur’an. Some of the most favorite foods of the Holy Prophet ﷺ are as follows:
Dates (Khajoor)
Dates are considered to be very healthy to use as they include vitamins and useful minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, iron and calcium for which are highly essential for human body.
Regarding great benefits of dates, Holy Prophet 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)
Figs (Injeer)
Figs are linked with curing ailments of stomach, strengthening of bones, and curing of piles and gout diseases. It is among the liked 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 Holy Quran:
“By the fig and the olive” [Quran, 95: 1]
The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: Figs are a fruit from Paradise – a cure for piles.
Honey (Shehd)
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]
Olive and 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]
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):
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said “Eat Olive and use it as an ointment as it produced from a blessed tree.” (Tirmidhi)
Barley (Joo)
Rasulullah ﷺ, liked it very much, and used to have in the shape of bread, porridge, and dough.
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.
Grapes (Angoor)
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]
The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: Grapes purify the blood, provide vigor and strengthen the kidneys, making them clear.
Vinegar (Sirka)
The Messenger ﷺ used to eat vinegar with olive oil.
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.
The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) used to mix vinegar in olive oil which is now a trend in the poshest Italian restaurants.
Milk (Doodh)
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.
The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: Milk wipes away heat from your heart, just as you wipe sweat off your eyebrows. It renews brain energy and makes you less forgetful.
Cucumber (Kheera)
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)
Meat (Goshat)
It is rich in protein, iron, zinc, selenium. Good for bones, teeth, strengthening the immune system, body tissues and many more.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said;”Meat is the king of foods (sayed ut Tawam).”
Pumpkin (Kadoo)
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)
Melon (Kharbooza)
The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: No woman who eats melon during pregnancy will fail to give birth to a child that has good character.
These are 12 of the many favorite foods of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, which he used to eat and also recommended them to his followers because of their greater implication regarding health of human body. It is Sunnah to use these foods.
