Prophetic medicine for eating and drinking

Reference: Zaad Al-Ma’aad 4/205

The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to order [the people] with supper, even if it be a handful of dates. He said,

 Abandoning the evening meal causes senility [1]

Abu Nu’aym narrates, that the Prophet (sal allahu alayhi wa sallam) would forbid sleeping immediately after eating (i.e. sleeping on a full stomach), and he would mention that this causes the heart to become hardened.

For this reason, one of the recommendations the doctors would give for a person who wants to preserve his health, is:

‘walk a short while after having eaten even if it only be a hundred steps, and do not sleep immediately after having eaten as it is very harmful.’

As for the Muslim doctors, they said: ‘one should pray Salaah after eating, so that the food is able to settle properly in the bottom of the stomach and is more easily digested.’

It was not from the Prophet’s guidance to drink [water] after having food as it spoils it, especially if it is warm or cold; doing so is very harmful…

…It is also disliked to drink water immediately after exercise, when tired, after sexual intercourse, after or before food and after eating fruit – even though drinking water after some fruit is easier than others.

Also, [drinking water] after answering the call of nature and waking up from sleep.

All of this negates good health.

Footnotes

[1] Narrated by Anas Ibn Malik; Collected by Tirmidhee & Ibn Maajah

الطب النبوي في الأكل والشرب

المرجع: زاد المعاد 4/205

وكان يأمر بالعشاء ، ولو بكف من تمر ، ويقول : ( ترك العشاء مهرمة ) ذكره الترمذي في ” جامعه ” ، وابن ماجه في [ ص: 205 ] ” سننه “

وذكر أبو نعيم عنه أنه ( كان ينهى عن النوم على الأكل ، ويذكر أنه يقسي القلب ) ، ولهذا في وصايا الأطباء لمن أراد حفظ الصحة أن يمشي بعد العشاء خطوات ولو مائة خطوة ، ولا ينام عقبه ، فإنه مضر جدا ، وقال مسلموهم : أو يصلي عقيبه ليستقر الغذاء بقعر المعدة ، فيسهل هضمه ، ويجود بذلك .

ولم يكن من هديه أن يشرب على طعامه فيفسده ، ولا سيما إن كان الماء حارا أو باردا ، فإنه رديء جدا . قال الشاعر :

لا تكن عند أكل سخن وبرد ودخول الحمام تشرب ماء فإذا ما اجتنبت ذلك حقا

لم تخف ما حييت في الجوف داء

ويكره شرب الماء عقيب الرياضة ، والتعب ، وعقيب الجماع ، وعقيب الطعام وقبله ، وعقيب أكل الفاكهة ، وإن كان الشرب عقيب بعضها أسهل من بعض ، وعقب الحمام ، وعند الانتباه من النوم ، فهذا كله مناف لحفظ الصحة

http://www.SalafiEventsUK.com

He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2010. He currently resides in Nelson, Lancashire and is the Imam of Masijd Sunnah.

4 comments

Alhamdolilla
I have diabetes, single kidney list one due calcium stones, bp, n tons of lethargy n body pain.
Pls help eith your advise jazsksllsh

Assalamu alaikum,

May Allah hasten your cure and make your illness an avenue of reward and purification. In terms of advice:

1. Know this is the decree of Allah, so even though you may not be pleased with the illness itself, however be pleased with the decree of Allah and He only decrees matters for a wisdom which is known to Him.
2. Utilise Ruqya by placing your hand on the place of illness and reciting Aayaat of the Qur’an such as Soorah Al-Fatiha, Ayat Al-Kursi etc… Ruqya is used for all types of illnesses not merely magic, evil eye or jnn possession.
3. Seek medical advice, be very careful medical advice which is given by unqualified people on websites.
4. There is no harm in seeking alternative medicine which is holistic in nature – control your diet, increase in drinking water, reduce meat and increase vegetables, partake in excercise etc… but always consult your GP.

May Allah cure you, and cure all ill Muslims.

وبالله التوفيق

assallam alikum,
Jazakallah kair.
May the umma be at ease n peace under the guidance of Allah…Always
Thank you once again for the reply and care, it means a lot.
Allah hafiz….

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