For the baby: الطفل
Breast feeding protects the baby from viral infections, as it contains immunity agents.
· It protects against food allergy, as it is free of protein that causes such kind of allergy, and which is usually found in extracted and manufactured cows milk.
It prevents shortage of calcium in the baby’s blood, thus helping to construct strong bones.
It returns with spiritual and psychological benefits to the baby, as it helps build a well composed, righteous and straight personality, and strengthens the spiritual and passionate links between the baby and the mother.
As revealed in a research published in Pediatric Clinics of North America in February 2001, the mental abilities of babies who receive breast feeding from their mothers are stronger and higher than otherwise, and the longer the period of breast feeding, the higher the mental abilities are.
It was shown that mother's milk also provides protection against cancer. After showing that the incidence of the lymph cancer observed in childhood was nine times greater in formula-fed children, they realised that the same results applied to other forms of cancer. According to the results, mother's milk accurately locates the cancer cells and later destroys them. It is a substance called alpha-lac (alphalactalbumin), present in large quantities in mother's milk, that locates and kills the cancer cells. Alpha-lac is produced by a protein that assists in the manufacture of the sugar lactose in the milk.
In addition to some practical benefits of breast feeding. The milk is always ready with steady and appropriate heat, fresh, sterilized, digestible and saves money and time !
Researchers indicated that breast feeding alleviates the baby’s fear of needle pricks and helps as analgesic during painful operations such as circumcision.
A new theory emerged in the recent years indicating that the protein in cows milk can cause a biological reaction that destroys the pancreatic beta cells excreting insulin. This theory is supported with the high rate of the presence of cow milk proteins in the serum of children with diabetes in comparison with study group of non-diabetic children.
But why is it that cows milk causes this harm before the second year, and then disappears after this period?
In a study conducted in Finland in 1994 and published in Auto-immunity Journal, the authors state that the protein of cow milk passes in natural form through the lining membrane of digestive system which is not yet fully grown. As the enzymes of the digestive system cannot break the protein into amino acids, the protein of cow milk enters as a complex protein and works as a catalyst to produce immunity agents in the body of the child.
New references reveal that enzymes and the lining membrane of the digestive system and kinetics of digestion and absorption do not attain complete function except in the second year after delivery.
Many studies stress on breast feeding in the first two years
In a very accurate scientific reference, the Quran determines the period of lactation with almost two years. In verse 14 of Surat Luqman: “And We enjoined on man concerning his parents- his mother bore him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning was in two years.” (31:14)
الآية رقم (14) في سورة [لقمان]: (ووصينا الإنسان بوالديه حملته أمه وهنـًا على وهن وفصاله في عامين)
It is understood that lactation for two years is not a must, but a complete period; “Mothers shall breastfeed their children for two whole years, for such as desire to complete the term ” ( 2:233)
( وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلاَدَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ ) – البقرة 233.
Miracle of honey !العسل
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Allah the Almighty says;
"Your Lord revealed to the bees: "Build dwellings in the mountains and the trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord, which have been made easy for you to follow." From inside them comes a drink of varying colours, containing healing for mankind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect" (16: 68)
(وأوحى ربك إلى النحل أن اتخذي من الجبال بيوتاً ومن الشجر، ومما يعرشون، ثم كلي من كل الثمرات فاسلكي سبل ربك ذللا ، يخرج من بطونها شراب مختلف ألوانه فيه شفاء للناس، إن في ذلك لآية لقوم يتفكرون) النحل 68
Although honey is one of the most important products of the bee, yet it is not the only product. Honey wax, propolis, nectar, bee toxicant are cases in point of other products that proved by experimental science to be of medical benefits.
Honey has more than 80 materials of sugar vitamins and 15 materials of sugars, particularly fructose, glucose, minerals, amino acids and about 5% of unclassified materials.
“containing healing for mankind” is an explicit verse indicating that honey is a treatment as well as a nutrient.
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Benefits of honey:
Alleviating inflammation of cornea if used locally on the eye.
An antibiotic if used locally in situ of wounds and burns, and it is used for healing of wounds :
- When used in treatment of wounds, thanks to its ability to absorb moisture from the air, honey facilitates healing process and prevents scarring. This is because honey stimulates the growth of epithelial cells that form the new skin cover over a healed wound. In this way, even in case of large wounds, honey may eliminate the need for tissue transplantation.
- Honey stimulates the re-growth of tissue involved in the healing process. It stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibres that give strength to the repair.
- Honey has an anti-inflammatory action, which reduces the swelling around a wound. This improves circulation and thus hastens the healing process. It also reduces pain.
- Honey does not stick to the underlying wound tissues, so there is no tearing away of newly formed tissue, and no pain, when dressings are changed.
-Thanks to its aforementioned antimicrobial property, honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds becoming infected. It also rapidly clears any existing infection from wounds. It is fully effective, even with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Unlike antiseptics and antibiotics, there is no impairment of the healing process through adverse effects on wound tissues.
- Some studies showed that honey is a good treatment against the hospital infection bacteria "superbugs" (MRSA) .
As honey does not accommodate bacteria, this bactericide (bacteria-killing) property of honey is named "the inhibition effect." There are various reasons of this anti-microbial property of the honey. Some examples are: the high sugar o0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0oo0o0o 0o0oo0o0o0o0o that limits the amount of water microorganisms need for growth, its high acidity (low pH) and composition which deprive bacteria from nitrogen necessary for reproduction. The existence of hydrogen peroxide as well as antioxidants in the honey prevent bacteria growth.
Antioxidant: Everyone who wants to live a healthier life should consume antioxidants. Those are the components in cells that get rid of harmful byproducts of normal metabolic functions. These elements inhibit destructive chemical reactions that cause spoilage of food and many chronic illnesses. Researchers believe food products rich in antioxidants may prevent heart problems and cancer. Strong antioxidants are present in honey o0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0oo0o0o 0o0oo0o0o0o0o: Pinocembrin, pinobaxin, chrisin and galagin. Pinocembrin is an antioxidant that merely exists in the honey.
A treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcers, as honey decreases the secretion of hydrochloric acid to a normal rate, thus helping to heal such ulcers and alleviate the related pains and reduce resultant cases of vomiting and colic. For the treatment to be effective, honey should be taken dissolved in warm water one or two hours before meals.
A treatment for involuntary urination at beds. Such a disease that could often be a result of psychic or neurotic cause. So, if the child is given one small spoon of honey before sleeping, this will have a positive effect, as honey is sedative for the nervous system, thus helping the cyst to relax and expand during sleep. Concentrated sugar also helps to absorb water from the child body.
It supports blood formation: Honey provides an important part of the energy needed by the body for blood formation. In addition, it helps in cleansing the blood. It has some positive effects in regulating and facilitating blood circulation. It also functions as a protection against capillary problems and arteriosclerosis.
A treatment for colds, flu and pharyngitis.
A treatment for cases of chronic hepatitis, as honey increases the liver stock of the glycogen material through the increase of blood glucose, thus helping the liver to function properly and relieve it from more burdens.
A treatment for insomnia and a sedative for nerves, as it contains some sedative and tonic substances as sodium and potassium at a reasonable rate such.
A treatment for alcoholic poisoning. Honey is one of the main nutrients prescribed in hospitals and clinics of alcoholic addicts, as it protects the liver from alcoholic poisoning. Fructose and vitamin B group in the honey helps oxidize the alcohol remaining in the body.
A treatment for cough.
In cosmetics, a mixture of honey with lemon and glycerin is considered of the best old medical prescription for the treatment of skin cracking and roughness, the inflammation and wounds of lips, sun stroke, and dermal pigments. Many ointments and creams contain honey as a main element for the treatment of skin diseases.
A treatment for muscular spasm of sportive exercises or facial spasms and eyelids muscles, which disappear after having one big spoon of honey for three days after each meal.
Many researches have been done to look at the benefits of natural honey .. !
It was narrated by Al Bukhari and Moslem on the authority of Abu Saeed Al Khudari that A man came to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and said, "My brother has some abdominal trouble." The Prophet said to him "Let him drink honey." The man returned to the prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I let him drink honey, but it caused him more pain.” The prophet said to him; “Go and let him drink honey”. The man went and let his brother drink honey, then returned back and said; “O Messenger of Allah, it did not cause him except more pains.” The Prophet then said, "Allah has said the truth, but your brother's abdomen has told a lie. Let him drink honey." So he made him drink honey and he was cured.
It can easily be seen from this information that honey has great "healing" properties. This is undoubtedly one of the miracles of the Quran Allah, Who is Exalted in Power, has revealed.
Another interesting point regarding the female honey bee , Allah (SWT) says in the holy Quran :
(Your Lord revealed to the bees: "Build dwellings in the mountains and the trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord, which have been made easy for you to follow." From inside them comes a drink of varying colours, containing healing for mankind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect ) ( 16:68-69)
(وأوحى ربك إلى النحل أن اتخذي من الجبال بيوتاً ومن الشجر، ومما يعرشون، ثم كلي من كل الثمرات فاسلكي سبل ربك ذللا ، يخرج من بطونها شراب مختلف ألوانه فيه شفاء للناس، إن في ذلك لآية لقوم يتفكرون) النحل 68
In the honey bee colonies where each of the many bees is assigned a specific task, the only exception is the male honey bee. The males do not contribute to the defence of the hive or its cleaning, gathering food, or making the honeycomb and honey. The only function of the male bees in the hive is to inseminate the queen bee. Apart from reproductive organs, the males possess almost none of the features possessed by other bees and it is therefore impossible for them to do anything but fertilise the queen.
The worker bees carry the entire load of the colony. Although they are females like the queen, their ovaries have no maturity. This renders them sterile. They have several duties: cleaning the hive, maintaining the larvae and the young, feeding the queen bee and the males, producing honey, constructing the honeycomb and repairing it, ventilating the hive and safeguarding it, gathering supplies like nectar, pollen, water and resin, and storing these in the hive.
In Arabic, there are two different usages of verbs. By means of the usage, it is possible to determine whether the subject is a female or a male. As a matter of fact, the translated verbs into English (underlined words) used for the honey bee are used in the feminine verb format in the Quranic verses.
Based on this, the Quran indicates that the honey bees that work in the making of the honey are females.
We should not forget that it is impossible for this fact to have been known about the honey bees in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Yet, Allah has pointed at this fact and shown us yet another miracle of the Quran.
Carrion , Blood & Pork
Allah says in His Honourable Book; “ He has forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine.” (2: 173)
إنما حرم عليكم الميتة والدم ولحم الخنزير (البقرة 173)
He the Almighty also said: “Forbidden to you are carrion, blood and flesh of swine, and that which has been hallowed to other than Allah, and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; and that which has been partly eaten by a wild animal-excepting that you have sacrificed duly…” (4:3)
حرمت عليكم الميتة والدم ولحم الخنزير وما أهل لغير الله به والمنخنقة والموقوذة والمتردية والنطيحة وما أكل السبع إلا ما ذكيتم (المائدة 3)
Prohibition of eating carrion:
What is the reasoning of totally forbidding dead meat?
It has been proved on a conclusive scientific basis that the body of a dead animal reserves blood with all sediments and toxins, particularly which are in the arterial blood. Blood could then prevail in the tissues and thus the toxins start to function in all body cells, thus the dead body changes colour to darker and the superficial veins are filled with blood, and blood circulation stops with no chance of leaking any amount of blood outside the body. The dead body becomes a spoilt deposit for diseases and microbes. The work of decay then starts in the body, affecting the meat in colour, taste and smell. So meat of dead bodies is foul and un-good. Allah says; “They will question thee what is permitted them. Say; ‘The good things are permitted you….’” (4:4)
( يسألونك ماذا أحل لهم ، قل أحل لكم الطيبات ((المائدة 4 )
Due to the decay enzymes, the dead meat loses all nutrient elements, and becomes valueless. Allah says; “This Quran is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; but it is a confirmation of what is before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book wherein there is no doubt- from the Lord of all beings.” (Younos :37)
(ومـا كـان هـذا القـرآن أن يفترى من دون الله ولكن تصـديق الذي بين يديه وتفصـيل الكتـاب لا ريب فيه من رب العالمين ) يـونس (37)
Dead cow .. بقرة ميتة..
Kinds of carrion أنواع الجيف
Strangled: It has been scientifically proved that the animal if strangled, i.e., oxygen is not allowed to pass into its lungs, toxic carbon dioxide, as well as poisonous secretions accumulate in its body.
Killed by a violent blow, i.e., a cattle beaten to death by a stick or a stone.
Killed by a headlong fall, i.e., falling from a height.
Killed by being gored to death, i.e., by another cattle.
The remnants of a cattle partly eaten by a wild animal. This is prohibited for a great divine reason. Modern medical science has recently discovered that germs and microbes are transferred to the prey when grabbed by the wild animal’s claws, thus causing diseases to transfer to whoever eats the prey’s meat. Wild animals in general are infected with a disease that lies in their mouths and saliva, which in turn are transferred to the body of the prey, causing great harm to eaters of such meat.
Prohibition of blood: حظر الدم :بمعنى التحريم
Blood in the living creature has two main functions :
(1) it transfers nutrients absorbed by the intestines such as proteins, sugars, and fats, as well as vitamins, hormones and oxygen and all other vital necessary substances to body organs and muscles.
(2) it carries harmful body substances in the animal body for disposal through urine, sweat or stool. If the animal is diseased, microbes are multiplied in its blood, using it as the media for moving from one part to another, and this is where hazards lie. If man drinks blood, all these microbes and excretions will be carried to man, thus leading to so many diseases such hyper-uremia leading to renal failure, or hyper-ammoniaemia leading to hepatic coma.
Many germs carried by blood causes irritation to the membranes of stomach and intestines, leading to lots of diseases.
For all these reasons, Islam’s legal method of slaughter dictates that the animal be cleared of blood after slaughtering, so that cattle’s blood is not allowed by any means to enter the human body. This has been revealed long before microscopes are invented by man, or information of such microbes and germs has reached man’s knowledge.
Prohibition of the flesh of swine (pork) : حظر لحوم الخنازير (لحم الخنزير) :
The Moslem is submissive to Allah’s commands even if the underlying wisdom is not yet revealed.
“All that the believers say, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger, that he my judge between them, is that they say; ‘We hear and we obey’; those – they are the prosperers.” (24: 51)
(إنما كان قول المؤمنين إذا دعواإلى الله ورسوله ليحكم بينهم أن يقولوا سمعنا وأطعنا، وأولئك هم المفلحون (النور 51
Eating pork is prohibited in Islam يحظر تناول لحم الخنزير في الإسلام
Some recent western studies revealed that eaters of the flesh of swine (pork) carry the same characteristics of swine.
The Quran adopts the preventive method, whether for medical or social diseases, and their causes. This is much more better than the claims of the West and their inventions in the field of treatment which require lots of money, with no guarantee as to the positive results. No matter how the west is trying to beautify the image of the swine, by providing the most up to date equipment of caring and cleanliness, this will not counteract the fixed reality discovered by their own scientists of the worms and diseases contained in the body of the swine as compared to other animals.
Eating pork is harmful to health in a great many regards. This harm still persists today, despite all the precautions that are taken. First and foremost, no matter how clean the farms and environments on which it is raised may be, the pig is not by nature a clean-living animal. It often plays in, and even eats, its own excrement. Due to this and its biological structure, the pig produces much higher levels of antibodies in its body than other animals. In addition, far higher levels of growth hormone are produced in the pig compared to those in other animals and human beings. Naturally, these high levels of antibodies and growth hormone pass across to and collect in the pig's muscle tissue. Pork meat also contains high levels of cholesterol and lipids (the rate of cholesterol is almost 15 times more than its rate in cows) . It has been scientifically proven that these significant amounts of antibodies, hormones, cholesterol and lipids in pork represent a serious threat to human health.
The existence of above-average numbers of obese individuals in the populations of countries such as the USA and Germany, in which large quantities of pork are consumed, is now well-known. When exposed to excessive quantities of growth hormone as a result of a pork-based diet, the human body first puts on excessive weight and then suffers physical deformations.
Another harmful substance in pork is the "trichina" worm. This is frequently found in pork and when it enters the human body, it settles directly in the muscles of the heart and represents a possibly fatal threat. Even though it is now technically possible to identify pigs that are infected with trichina, no such methods were known in earlier centuries. That means that everyone who ate pork risked infection by trichina and possible death.
Another disease is the "Tapeworm" which is transmitted from the pig to man’s intestines. It is a few meters long, and has about 22-32 hooks in the head, with which it clings to the intestine wall. The larva leaks into the stream of blood and settles in one of the body organs such as the heart, the liver or the eye, where it vesiculates. Settling in the brain, being its favourite place, the worm can cause epilepsy. This is the difference between the hazards of the tapeworm that is transmitted from the swine to man, and that which is transmitted from another beast such as the cow for example. The worm of the latter have no such grievous power to roam and travel with its larva in the human body to destroy it in a vicious violence.
All these reasons are just a part of the wisdom in our Lord's prohibition on the consumption of pork. Moreover, this commandment of our Lord's provides complete protection from the harmful effects of pork under any conditions.
Until the 20th century, it was impossible to be aware of the danger posed to human health by pork. The fact that the Quran, revealed fourteen centuries ago, warns against this harm which has been incontrovertibly revealed with modern medical equipment and biological tests, is one of the miracles demonstrating that the Quran is the revelation of Allah, the Omniscient. Despite all the precautionary measures and inspections that take place in modern-day pig rearing, the fact that pork is physiologically incompatible with the human body and is a variety of meat harmful to human health has not altered.
“Surely this Quran guides to the way that is straightest…” (17 :9)
(إن هذا القرآن يهدي للتي هي أقوم) الإسراء 9
Fruit : is it before or after ?الفاكهة : هل قبل أو بعد؟
Doctors advise that, prior to eating, man should start with the soft and easily digestible food in order to prepare the oral glands secreting the peptic juice (saliva amylase) or the glands in stomach and duodenal to start functioning gradually in digesting food. Minutes later, man can start eating the main dish.
A slice of fruit or dates are cases in point of soft food
The Quranic statement mentions fruit in advance of meat, in a remarkable reference to the previous meaning when addressing the state of believers in paradise: “and such fruits as they shall choose, and such flesh of fowl (chicken) as they desire…” (56: 21)
وَفَاكِهَةٍ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ(20) وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ(21) – الواقعة .
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الوضوء والطهارة الصحيةAblution and health purity
Allah says; “O believers, when you stand up to pray, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads, and your feet up to the ankles. If you are defiled, purify yourselves…” (5:6)
[ يا أيها الذين آمنوا إذا قمتم إلى الصلاة فاغسلوا وجوهكم وأيديكم إلى المرافق وامسحوا برؤوسكم وأرجلكم إلى الكعبين، وإن كنتم جنبا فاطهروا] (المائدة 6).
Ablution is the weapon of the faithful:
· Ablution is not just cleaning the external organs several times a day before prayers. The psychological and spiritual impact felt by the Moslem after ablution is more deeper than words can express, particularly when perfecting ablution. Ablution plays an important role in the life of the Moslem, as it keeps him always in a state of vitality, vigilance and fitness. The Prophet (PBUH) said; “He who performs ablution, and perfects it, his sins would come out from his body, till they pass out from under his nails.”
· The process of washing the organs usually exposed to dust is no doubt of a great significance to public health. These body parts are exposed all day long to numerous numbers of microbes counted in millions in every cubic centimeters of air. These microbes are in a constant offensive state against the human body at the exposed areas of skin. In ablution, microbes are taken by a surprise sweep from the surface of the skin, specially with perfect massaging and enough pouring of water, as guided by the Prophet (PBUH). Following such a process, no dirt or germs are left on the body except what Allah decrees.
· Rinsing the mouth. Modern science has proved that rinsing the mouth protects the mouth and throat from inflammation and the gums from suppuration (pyorrhea). It also protects and cleans teeth by removing food remnants.
· Sniffing the nose. Washing and sniffing the nose strongly helps keep the nostril clean and free of inflammation and germs, thus reflecting positively on the health status of the whole body.
· Washing the face and the two hands. Washing the face and the two hands up to the elbows is of a great benefit in removing dust and microbes as well as sweat from the surface of the skin. This also cleans the skin from the fatty substance secreted by skin glands, and which is usually a very suitable place for the proliferation and sustenance of germs.
· Washing the two feet. Washing feet with massaging lead to a feeling of quietness and complacency that engulfs the Moslem after ablution.
· Other secrets. Scientific research has proved that blood circulation in upper limbs from the hands to the forearms, and in the lower limbs from the feet to the legs is weaker than it is in other organs, being peripheral to the centre of regulating blood circulation, namely, the heart. So washing these limbs with massaging at every ablution help strengthen the blood circulation in these parts, thus increasing the vitality and activity of the body.
Science has proved the effect of sun rays, particularly the ultra violet ones, in causing skin carcinoma. This effect decreases very well with the consequence of ablution, as it constantly dampens the surface of the skin with water, particularly the parts exposed to such rays. This helps protect the surface and internal layer cells of the skin from the harmful impact of rays.
الصلاة : شفاء للروح والجسدPrayer : a healing for the spirit and the body
Allah says; “Seek help with patience and prayer: it is indeed hard, except to those who are humble.” (2: 45)
( واستعينوا بالصبر والصلاة وإنها لكبيرة إلا على الخاشعين ) البقرة 45
Health benefits in prayers:
o Prayers help release the burden of the soul and expand the chest. In prayers, which are the best deeds, the heart gets connected to Allah the Almighty. The Prophet (PBUH) said, as narrated by Ibn Majah and Al Hakim on the authority of Thawban; “Be it known to you that your best deeds are prayers.”
o Prayers are surely a healing for the soul. It is confirmed that the Prophet, if afflicted with grief, would hurry to prayer: “ prayer forbids indecency and dishonour. Allah’s remembrance is greater; and Allah knows the things you work.” (29: 45)
( إن الصلاة تنهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر، ولذكر الله أكبر، والله يعلم ما تصنعون) (العنكبوت 45)
o Prayers help adjust the ‘rhythm’ of the body. Modern scientific research proved that Moslems’ prayer timings correspond with that of the physiological activities of the body. Thus, prayers are considered as the orchestrator that adjusts the ‘rhythm’ of the whole body. In his book ‘Seeking cure from prayers’, Dr. Zaheer Rabeh indicates that cortisone is the hormone of activity that starts to increase acutely in the human body with the approach of dawn time, and is associated with the rise in blood pressure. Man feels greatly active after dawn prayer between 6-9 a.m. Thus the time after prayer is considered the best time for hard work and seeking livelihood. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was quoted saying; “O Lord, give benediction to my umma (nation) at the early morning time.” Ozone, which has an invigorating effect on the nervous system, and muscular and mental activity, reaches the highest levels in air at such a time.
Contrary to this is the forenoon time (Dhuha), in which secretion of cortisone reach the minimum limits; leading man to feel exhausted with the stress of work, and the need to have rest. This is almost after 7 hours of early get-up. Here comes the time of noon (Zuhr) prayer, which gives complacency and quietness to the exhausted heart and body, and following which man seeks to get an hour of sleep that gives him rest and reinvigorates his activity, in what is termed as Qailulah (nap) before (Asr) (afternoon) prayer. Such a short sleep was mentioned in the Prophet’s saying; “Get help with Suhoor (meal before dawn time) for fasting, and with Qailulah for Qiyam (night) prayer.” He also said; “Have Qailulah, as satans do not have it.” It has been proved that the human body at this period generally encounters a hard time, where an increase occurs in an anesthetic chemical substance secreted by the body that has the effect of tranquilizing, and incites man to sleep. The body, after 7 hours of early wake-up, is at the lowest levels of concentration and activity. So if man ignores sleeping at that time, much of his neuromuscular compatibility decreases all day long.
Then comes the Asr (afternoon) Prayer to reinvigorate the body once again. Adrenalin then raises in the blood; causing activity in the body functions particularly the cardiac one. Asr prayer has thus a great effect in preparing the heart and the body to accept this sudden state of activity, which can cause serious troubles to cardiac patients due to the sudden transfer of the heart from the inert state to the active state. Allah says; “Be you watchful over the prayers, and the middle prayer, and do you stand obedient to Allah.” (2: 238)
( حافظوا على الصلوات والصلاة الوسطى وقوموا لله قانتين ( البقرة 238
Most of the Quran Commentators agreed that the middle prayer is Asr prayer. With the discovery of the increase of Adrenalin hormone at this time, the reason behind this Quranic remarkable command of the keep-up of Asr prayer becomes crystal clear. Performing Asr prayer at designated time, alongside with other extra prayers, reinvigorates the heart gradually to function more effectively after an inert state. So the rest of bodily organs and senses are in deep concentration in prayer, making it easy for the heart and the hormone to adjust the normal rhythm of the body which reaches the climax at that time.
Then comes the Maghreb (sunset) prayer. In contrary to what happens early in the morning, Cortisone decreases and the activity of the body starts to diminish. With the transfer from daylight into night darkness, melatonin increases encouraging relaxation and sleep, and causing laziness to the body. Here prayer comes as a transitional station.
Prayer of Isha (early night prayer) is the last station in the course of the day, wherein the body is transferred from the state of activity and mobility to a state of seeking sleep with the spread of darkness and the increase of melatonin secretion. Therefore, it is commendable to delay Isha prayer to the time before sleep so that all man’s preoccupations are finalized, and sleep comes next. The regular secretion of melatonin is closely related to the sexual and mental maturity, which is the consequence of following a fixed programme and a way of life. Therefore, we find that adherence to perform prayers on time is the best way that guarantees an integral compatibility with daily activities, thus leading to highly efficient functions of human body systems.
o Prayer is a prevention from varicose. Legs varicose is a common dysfunction in the legs veins, which takes the shape of big and zigzag veins filled with blood of a changed colour all along the lower limbs. Dr. “Tawfiq Elwan”, a Professor in Alexandria Faculty of Medicine (Egypt), indicated that with the meticulous observation of prayer movements, it was found out that prayer is distinguished with a wonderful measure of smoothness, harmony and coordination, represented in standing, kneeling (Ruku’), prostration (Sujood) and sitting between every two prostrations. With a scientific study of the measure of pressure exerted on the walls of the saphenous vein at the ankle joint, it was found out that the great decrease in that pressure during kneeling reaches almost the half. As for the state of Sujood, the average pressure becomes very slight. Naturally, this decrease is a full rest to that vein, which is greatly exhausted due to the severity of pressure all along the periods of standing. The position of Sujood helps the blood circulation work in the same direction of earth gravity, as blood which always suffers the bitter creep from the feet soles to the cardiac muscle, now pours smoothly and easily from top to bottom. This process reduces much of the vein pressure over the feet dorsum around 80 times (from the state of standing to the state of Sujood). Consequently, the risks of having varicose, which rarely affects those performing prayers regularly and properly, are diminished.
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Varicose veins in both legs توسع الأوردة في الساقين
o Prayer for strengthening bones. Bones pass with two consecutive stages : the stage of anabolism followed by the stage of catabolism and so on in a continuous manner. In the phase of youth and growth, man’s anabolism increases, so bones become longer and stronger. After the phase of maturity and with the advance of age, catabolism takes the lead, with the amount of bone decreasing and becoming more fragile, and the spine bows due to the vertebra’s collapse, shortness and weakness. The activity and the strength of bones are the outcome of :
i. Powers of pressure and pulling exercised by the muscles and tendons, which sticks to bones, during flexion and extension.
ii. It has been recently proved that an electric current with two different poles runs inside the bones; affecting the distribution of cells functions such as anabolism and catabolism cells. The current also determines at large the aspects of these cells activities. The experiments proved that in case of laziness and rest, the electric current is diminished, leading the bones to lose the componential materials, thus they become thin and weak. Experiment also revealed that during travel to space where gravity is totally absent, muscles become weak and bones become thin due to the inability to resist the burden of the earth gravity. It is therefore deduced that complete rest causes the bones to shrink, as the absence of movements activates catabolism cells, and weakens anabolism cells, hence a reduction of the bony material occurs.
· The performance of 17 units (Rak’ah) of obligatory prayers, and some more of extra prayers, strengthens man’s bones, and forces him to do a bodily movement not less than one hour daily. This happens all along the life of the Moslem, who never abandons prayers.
· Prayer is a regular simple exercise at different times, and helps keep the viability of the body specially the cardiac system and blood circulation.
· Prayer is a psychological therapy that helps calm the soul and relieve all tension for many reasons, of which the most significant is: man feels that all his problems are very small in the face of the Greatness and Capability of the Creator Who handles this large universe. The Moslem, after finishing his prayer, has thrown all he has of problems and worries, as he has deputized the Merciful Lord to manage and relieve him of such troubles. Prayers help remove all sources of tension due to the constant change of movements. It is known that such a change leads to an important physiological relaxation, therefore, the Prophet commanded that the Moslem when afflicted with a state pf anger, should resort to prayers. It has been proved that prayer have an immediate effect on the nervous system, as they calm agitation and maintain balance. They are as well a successful treatment for insomnia resulting from the nervous dysfunction.
Medical benefits of fasting Ramadanصوم رمضان
Fasting Ramadan is an obedience to Allah the Almighty, Who said in His Honourable Book; “O believers, prescribed for you is the fast, even as it was prescribed for those that were before you- haply you will be Allah fearing.” (2: 183)
( يا أيها الذين آمنوا كتب عليكم الصيام كما كتب على الذين من قبلكم لعلكم تتقون )
Fasting is a prescribed duty, and a private relation between man and his Lord, which Allah has guaranteed to reward for it. It was narrated in the Qudsi Hadith that Allah says; “Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is meant (exclusively) for Me and I give reward for it.”
In 1994, the first conference on health benefits of fasting Ramadan was held in Casablanca, Morocco. Around 50 research papers from all over the world incorporating the health benefits of fasting Ramadan were discussed by Moslem and non-Moslem researchers.
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Of the health benefits of fasting Ramadan are :
Giving rest to the digestive system. Ramadan is the period of rest for the digestive system, which is responsible for the metabolism process of food. Consequently, the liver also takes rest as it is the main factory of food metabolism. To achieve this benefit, Moslems should adhere to the tradition (sunnah) of the Prophet by abstaining from having too much food after breakfast. The Prophet (PBUH) said; "The son-of-Adam never fills a bowl worse than his belly. Some bites are enough for man to prop his physique. Had he wished otherwise, then one third for his food, and one third for his drink, and one third for his breath." It is of benefit to the body that the break of fasting starts with some dates (as indicated in the Prophetic tradition). Dates are rich in Glucose and Fructose, which have a great caloric benefit specially for the brain, and are useful in raising the level of sugar gradually in blood, thus reducing the feeling of hunger and the need for large quantities of food.
Moderate loss of weight. During fasting, the consumption of sugars decreases, and so does the level of sugar in blood. This makes the body rely on providing the needed calories for metabolism by burning sugar stored in the body. Glycogen stored in the liver, and fats in tissues are decomposed and transferred into calories and energy needed by the body. This results in moderate shortage of body weight. Therefore, fasting is considered of great value for overweight persons and stable non-insulin diabetes.
Decrease of cholesterol level in blood. Several studies proved that cholesterol level in blood during fasting, as well as the rate of precipitating on the walls of arteries have decreased. This in turn reduces the chances of cardiac and cerebrovascular accidents, and prevents the raise of hypertension. Shortage of fats in blood helps reduce stones of gall and choledocus. The Prophet (PBUH) said; “Fast! You will be healthy.”
Rest of renal system. Some studies revealed that abstaining from drinking water for about 10-12 hours is not necessarily bad; it is rather useful in many cases. Concentration of liquids in the body causes moderate dehydration that the body can tolerate, as there is a sufficient liquid reserve, and as long as man has no complaint of renal lithiasis, both kidneys get rest of the process of waste disposing. The prophetic tradition mandates that Suhur (a meal before the dawn) be delayed and Fotoor (the breakfast meal) be expedited, thus reducing the time period of dehydration as much as possible. Shortage of liquids leads in turn to moderate decrease of blood pressure that the normal man can tolerate and be of use to those complaining of hypertension.
Educational and psychological benefits. Fasting Ramadan is useful as it has a restraining power over the soul’s whimsies, and an urge to abandon bad habits, specially when the smoker is obliged to abstain from smoking even if for a temporary period, on the hope such abandon will be permanent. This is also applied to drinking too much coffee and tea. The psychological benefits are numerous. The fasting person feels complacent, attains mental and psychological rest, refrains from all that disturbs the integrity of his fasting, and maintains the proper behaviour controls, that all reflect positively on the general community. The Prophet said; “Fasting is restraining. When anyone of you is fasting, he should refrain from obscene language or any acts of ignorance. And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say; ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’” Several studies revealed that crime rate in Islamic countries decreases during Ramadan .
Quran is a healing and a mercy !
Allah the Almighty said; "And We send down of the Quran, that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers, and the unbelievers it causes not except loss.” (17: 82)
وننزل من القرآن ما هو شفاء ورحمة للمؤمنين ولا يزيد الظالمين إلا خسارا (الإسراء 57)
Quran restores soul calmness:
The results of researches conducted over a group of volunteers from USA who were subject to a recitation of the Holy Quran were striking. A trace of a tranquilizing effect was recorded at a whole rate of 97%. Although many of these volunteers do not know Arabic, yet involuntary physiological changes that led notably to alleviate the acuity of tension they had before were observed in their nervous systems. Furthermore, an experiment of EEG during Quran rehearsal revealed that while listening to Quran, the encephalic waves moved from the fast pattern of vigilance (12-13) wave/ second to the slow pattern (8-18) wave/ second; indicating the state of deep calmness. Non-Arabic speaking persons felt reassured, quiet, and complacent during the process of listening to Quranic verses, in spite of their inability to understand the meanings. This is one of the miracles of the Holy Quran. The Prophet revealed that miracle when saying;
“No people assembled in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), and recite and study the Book of Allah (among themselves), except that tranquility would prevail over them, and mercy would encompass them, and the angels would surround them, and Allah would make a mention of them in the presence of those near Him.”
A healing from diseases:
It is commonly known that Quran removes the causes of tension and cover the soul with tranquility and complacency. But was that effect of Quran limited to the souls only? When Allah says; "And We send down of the Quran, that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers..” (17: 82),
( وننزل من القرآن ما هو شفاء ورحمة للمؤمنيـن.)
Then how could the Quran be a healing for the bodies? It is medically asserted that tension and worries lead to a deficiency in the immunity of human body in the face of all diseases. The more the psychological and nervous condition of man is not stable, the more the chances to face the invasion of diseases. Hence, the explanation becomes crystal clear- the Quran is a healing for bodies as it is a healing for the souls and spirits. The Quran regains the balance of nervous and psychological systems for the believer who constantly recites and listens to it, and contemplates its meaning, thus leading to increase his bodily immunity and safeguard his internal defenses. Man becomes in constant safety against the penetration of diseases. With the Quranic prevailing luminous powers, all microbes and germs attacking the body in consecutive waves are resisted.
Dr. Ahmed El Kadi conducted a research in USA on three groups of Americans who do not speak or understand Arabic. He connected them to instruments for measuring biomedical functions such as blood pressure, heart pulses, EEG, myography, and sweat test. He recited some Quranic verses for the first group, and ordinary sentences of everyday Arabic for the second group while the third group was a control group resting in a state of relaxation. He found that the physiological changes for the first group listening to Quran recitation have more significantly improved than the other two groups (These results were announced by the Islamic Organization for Medical Science).
Verily said the Almighty Allah; “If We had sent down the Quran upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled, split asunder out of the fear of Allah. And those similitude- We strike them for men; haply they will reflect.” (59: 21)
(لو أنزلنا هذا القرآن على جبل لرأيته خاشعاً متصدعاً من خشية الله، وتلك الأمثال نضربها للناس لعلهم يتفكرون) الحشر 21 .
Conclusionاستنتاج
The Quran cannot be produced by any creature. It is the word of the Almighty God, the Originator of everything and the One Who encompasses everything with His knowledge. As how could any creature reveal such scientific facts and signs, as indicated above in some Quranic verses, that were impossible to be known with the level of knowledge at the time of revelation? The Quran, with the description of all these scientific facts in accurate terms that fit with the modern rules of science, affirms that this is revealed by Allah. Man only unfolded these signs so many centuries after it had been revealed by Allah, with the help of modern technology
.
The Quran is the word of Allah Who has created everything and knows the slightest details of His creation.
Who can inspire to the Prophet Mohammed, other than Allah, such scientific truths in such a noble and well contrived language ?
Although they possessed and knew the tools of the Arabic language, the unbelievers of Makkah were challenged to produce one verse of such Quran. Yet, up to date and till doomsday the challenge still stands: “If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Quran, they would never produce its like, not though they backed one another.” (17:88)
"قل لئن إجتمعت الأنسُ والجنُ على أن يأتوا بمثلِ هذا القرآن ، لا يأتونَ بمثلهِ ولو كان بعضُهم لبعضٍ ظهيرا." ( الإسراء : 88)
Allah also says in the Holy Quran; “If it had been from other than Allah, surely they would have found in it much inconsistencies” (4:82)
"ولو كان من عند غير الله لوجدوا فيه إختلافا كثيرا" (النساء :82)
With the passage of ages, every word of Quran still reveals the divine and miraculous nature of this Holy Book. For the believers of Quran, this is a message to hold fast to this divine book and receive it as their only guide in this world and the Hereafter: “And this is a Book We have sent down and blesses, so follow it and have fear of Allah so that hopefully you will gain mercy.” (6:155).
(وَهَـذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُواْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ) الأنعام 155
For the unbelievers, it is a call to open their minds and hearts to word of Allah, the Holy Quran, and contemplate and ponder the last revelation to mankind. Yet, Allah remarks; “Say, ‘The truth is from your Lord; so let whosoever wishes believe, and let whosoever wishes disbelieve.” (18: 29)
(وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَن شَاء فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاء فَلْيَكْفُرْ) الكهف 29
And; "No Indeed! It is a reminder, and whoso wills, pays heed to it" (80:11-12)
(كَلَّا إِنَّهَا تَذْكِرَةٌ ، فَمَن شَاء ذَكَرَهُ ) عبس 11-12
“And say: ‘Praise be to Allah, Who will soon show you His signs, so that ye shall know them’ " (27: 93)
( وَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ سَيُرِيكُمْ آيَاتِهِ فَتَعْرِفُونَهَا) (النمل: 93)
and Who also says; “Soon will We show them our signs in the furthest horizons, and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth” (41: 53).
( سنريهم آياتنا في الآفاق و في أنفسهم حتى يتبين لهم أنه الحق ) ( فصلت 53)
References المراجع
The Holy Quran.
The Quran and modern science
; Extracted from the Book : The Bible, The Qur'an and Science , By: Maurice Bucaille
Islamic Medicine on Line . By Dr. Sharif Kaf Al-Ghazal
Clinical Anatomy . By Richard Snell ( 3ed edition) published in 1986 - Little, Brown
Textbook of Medical Physiology . By Guyton & Hall - 10th edition
Light, visible and invisible, and its medical applications . by Angela Newing (Gloucestershire Medical Physics Service, UK). Pub. date: Nov 1999
Breastmilk feeding and lipoprotein profile in adolescents born preterm: follow-up of a prospective randomised study
By Singhal A, Cole TJ, Fewtrell M, Lucas A. Lancet. 2004 May 15;363(9421):1571-8
Papers presented in The Seventh International Conference on Scientific Signs in Quran & Sunna . Dubai 22-24 March 2004-08-25
Video presentations of :
Professor Emeritus Keith Moore, Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology and the former Associate Dean of Basic Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada. Clip 1 Clip 2 Clip 3
Prof. E. Marshall Johnson, Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, and Director of the Daniel Baugh Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Clip 1 Clip 2
Dr. G.C. Goeringer, Course Director and Associate Professor of Medical Embryology at the Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, USA. Clip 1
Dr. T.V.N. Persaud, Professor of Anatomy and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Clip 1
* Mr. Mohammed Abdul Hamid Madi ( senior translator in the Royal Commission Medical Center - Yanbu - Saudi Arabia ) . Some of his work was published on line .
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