Sunnah foods termed to be Healthy for Eating

The Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) is the best “Health advice” you will ever need to eat healthy, prevent diseases and stay physically and mentally fit. The sunnah foods Muhammad (ﷺ) liked and ate should be a part of our everyday lives.

In general, When we eat there are 4 rules of HEALTHY EATING:

· Selecting healthy organic ingredients

· Making proper food combinations

· Considering the timings of food consumption

· Eating appropriate quantities of food

Islamic Sunnah foods for breakfast vary, but they often include simple, nutritious, and wholesome options that provide energy and nourishment to start the day. Here are some Sunnah foods commonly consumed for breakfast:

Without a further ado, let’s see what sunnah foods a healthy Muslim typically eats in a day for Breakfast!

Dates: It is a Sunnah to start your day by consuming an odd number of dates, preferably seven, as they are not only nutritious but also provide an instant source of energy. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

عن عَامِرُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يَقُولُ، سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ” مَنِ اصْطَبَحَ بِسَبْعِ تَمَرَاتٍ عَجْوَةٍ لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ سَمٌّ وَلاَ سِحْرٌ “.

Narrated Sa`d (ra):

I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “Whoever takes seven ‘Ajwa dates in the morning will not be effected by magic or poison on that day.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 5443

Milk: Milk is a nutritious and wholesome choice for breakfast. It can be consumed on its own, or you can mix it with dates for a more substantial meal.

عن أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّهُ رَأَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَرِبَ لَبَنًا، وَأَتَى دَارَهُ فَحَلَبْتُ شَاةً فَشُبْتُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ الْبِئْرِ، فَتَنَاوَلَ الْقَدَحَ فَشَرِبَ، وَعَنْ يَسَارِهِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعَنْ يَمِينِهِ أَعْرَابِيٌّ، فَأَعْطَى الأَعْرَابِيَّ فَضْلَهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ ” الأَيْمَنَ فَالأَيْمَنَ

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (ra):

I saw Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) drinking milk. He came to my house and I milked a sheep and then mixed the milk with water from the well for Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). He took the bowl and drank while on his left there was sitting Abu Bakr, and on his right there was a Bedouin. He then gave the remaining milk to the Bedouin and said, “The right! The right (first).

(Sahih al-Bukhari 5612)

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MILK:

· Calcium: Makes bones and teeth healthy and maintains bone mass

· Protein: Provides a source of energy & builds/repairs muscles

· Vitamin D: Aids in maintainance of bones

· Phosphorus: Makes the bones strong & serves as an energy source

· Vitamin A: Maintains the immune system & helps maintain vision and skin

· Vitamin B12: Maintains healthy red blood cells and nerve tissue

· Potassium: Helps control the blood pressure

· Riboflavin (B2):Converts food into energy

· Niacin: Metabolizes sugars and fatty acids

Barley: Barley is mentioned in several Hadiths as a healthy grain. You can make a barley porridge or soup for breakfast.

عَنْ يُوسُفَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَلاَمٍ، قَالَ رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَخَذَ كِسْرَةً مِنْ خُبْزِ شَعِيرٍ فَوَضَعَ عَلَيْهَا تَمْرَةً وَقَالَ ” هَذِهِ إِدَامُ هَذِهِ

Narrated by Yusuf ibn Abdullah ibn Salam (ra):

I saw that the Prophet (ﷺ) took a piece of bread of barley and put a date on it and said: This is the condiment of this.

(Sunan Abi Dawud 3830)

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BARLEY:

· Helps with weight loss

· Helps to control the blood sugar levels

· Provides antioxidants

· lowers the risk of cancer

· Lowers high cholesterol

· Improves digestion

· High source of fiber

· Protects against heart disease

· Rich in vitamins and minerals

Honey: Honey is highly recommended in Islamic traditions for its numerous health benefits. You can consume it with bread or mix it with warm water.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُحِبُّ الْحَلْوَاءَ وَالْعَسَلَ.

Narrated by `Aisha (ra):

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to love sweet edible things and honey.

(Sahih al-Bukhari 5431)

HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY:

· Boosts energy

· Reduces muscle fatigue

· Reduces weight

· Regulates blood sugar

· Treats cough

· Heals wounds and cuts

· Heals minor burns

· Beats insomnia

· Improves digestion

· Good for skin

Olive Oil: Olive oil is a healthy source of fats and is recommended for its various health benefits. You can dip bread in olive oil or use it in your cooking.

Cheese: Cheese is a source of protein and can be eaten with bread or served as a side dish.

Water: Drinking a glass of water when you wake up is also a recommended practice in Islamic tradition to help cleanse the body and kickstart your metabolism.

In Summary It’s essential to note that Islamic Sunnah foods for breakfast emphasize simplicity, moderation, and healthfulness. These foods are considered a means of nourishing the body and maintaining good health, which is in line with Islamic teachings. You can combine these foods in various ways to create a balanced and nutritious breakfast that suits your taste and dietary preferences.

Quotes

“Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” “Breakfast is everything. The beginning, the first thing. It is the mouthful that is the commitment to a new day, a continuing life. “– A. A. Gill “Your morning sets up the success of your day… I use my first hour awake for my morning routine of breakfast and meditation to prepare myself. “– Caroline Ghosn