Honey contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. The vitamins found in honey include niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid; minerals present include calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. In addition honey contains a variety of flavonoids and phenolic acids which act as antioxidants, scavenging and eliminating free radicals. Honey has had a long history in human consumption, and is used in various foods and beverages as a sweetener and flavoring. It also has a role in religion and symbolism. Medicinal importance of honey has been documented in the world’s oldest medical literatures, and since the ancient times, it has been known to possess antimicrobial property as well as wound-healing activity. More than 1,400 years ago, honey is described as a source of healing in the Quran and it is also mentioned as one of the foods of Paradise.
The Miracle of Honey in Quran
More than 1400 years ago Allaah and His
messenger told us that honey can heal a
variety of medical problems. Honey is
described as a source of healing in the
Quran: “And the Lord inspired the bee,
saying: Take your habitations in the
mountains and in the trees and in what
they erect. Then, eat of all fruits and
follow the ways of your Lord made easy
(for you)’. There comes forth from their
bellies a drink of varying colors wherein is
healing for men. Verily in this is indeed a
sign for people who think
Allah says in Surah Nahl verse 68 and 69:
وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ ﴿٦٨﴾ ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗإِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“And your Lord inspired the bees, saying: “Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect.”
“Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you).” There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think”
Honey is surely a blessing from Allah. It has been said that bacteria cannot live in honey. It has a myriad of uses it promotes healing in cuts to major wounds, helps remove the scars of burn victims, cures stomach ailments, aids the body in healing sore throats and cures chest infections to name a few. It can be given orally, used as an ointment or drops.