Showing posts with label Vinegar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vinegar. Show all posts

Saturday, July 28, 2007

You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

[Shaykh Aaid Al-Qarni]

Muhammad said that Everything that has gentleness within it is beautified, and whatever lacks it is spoiled.
When you meet someone, giving them a bright smile and a kind word, you are displaying a characteristic of the truly successful man, a characteristic that even a bee exhibits.

When a bee lands on a flower (doing so for a practical purpose) it does not destroy it, because Allah rewards gentleness with that which He does give for harshness.

There are certain people whose personalities are like magnets, attracting everyone who is nearby, simply because they are loved for their gentle talk, their good manners, and their noble deeds.

Winning the friendship of others is an art that is mastered by those that are noble and pious; a circle of people constantly surrounds them. Their mere presence in a gathering is a blessing, and when they are absent they are missed and asked about.

These people have a code of conduct entitled:
"Repel [evil] with one which is better, then verily! He, between whom and you there was enmity, [will become] as though he was a close friend."
[Surah Fussilat – Ayah 34.]

They suck out malice from others with their sincerity, forgiveness, and gentleness. They forget evil that was enacted upon them and preserve the memory of kindnesses received.
Biting, harsh words may be aimed at them, but such words pass by their ears without entering and continue on their path without ever returning. They are in a state of calmness.
People in general, and Muslims in particular, are safe from suffering any harm at their hands.

The Prophet said:

'The Muslim is the person whose tongue and hand do not harm others. And the Believer is he whom others trust, about their blood and wealth.'

He further said:

'Verily, Allah ordered me to keep relations with those that cut me off; to forgive the one who does an injustice with me, and to give to those who withhold from me.

Allah Ta'ala has said:

"Those who repress anger, and who pardon men: verily, Allah loves the good-doers."
[Surah Al-Imran – Ayah 34.]

Give to such people glad tidings of a reward close at hand in terms of peace and tranquility. Also give glad tidings to them of a great reward in the Hereafter, of gardens and rivers, wherein they will be in close proximity to their forgiving Lord.

"In a seat of truth [Paradise], near the omnipotent King [Allah]."
[Surah Al-Qamar – Ayah 55.]

'Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni!

OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me
and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me!

How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.

'Our Lord, give us good in this world, and good in the hereafter, and safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire.' (Qur'an, 2:200-201)

(AAMEEN)

With kind and humble regards,
Your sister-in-Islam
Umme Safoora

Sunday, April 29, 2007

The Prophet's Medicine - Vinegar

Vinegar
Prophet Muhammad (saw - may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) liked vinegar. Modern medicine also acknowledge its anti-cough, anti-inflammation and digestive properties

Jabir (ra - may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, “The Messenger of Allah (saw), peace be upon him, took me one day with him to his house. He was served some bread. He asked: `Is there any dip?’ They replied ‘No, only some vinegar.’ He said, ‘Vinegar is a good dip.'
Jabir (ra) used to say, “I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Allah’s Prophet (saw)”. And Talhah ibn Naf’a (ra) said, “I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Jabir.” (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasaa’i)

What is Vinegar and Why is it a Good Dip?

Vinegar is made by fermenting the juice of sweet fruits and grains such as barley, apple and grape. The process of creating vinegar entails fermenting in an aerobic environment (in the presence of oxygen) as opposed to alcoholic fermentation, which is done in an anaerobic environment (in the absence of oxygen). The alcohol in these liquids is oxidized to acetic acid. Vinegar contains 4 per cent or more acetic acid. Its colour and tastes differ depending on its base.
Vinegar contains small amounts of protein and starch. 100g of vinegar has only 16 calories. It also contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, zinc and chlorine but it has no vitamins.

Ibn Seena (died 1037 CE) wrote in his famous book Al-Qanoon fit Tibb (the Law of Medicine), that vinegar is a powerful clotting agent. If poured on an external wound, it will stop the bleeding and prevent swelling. It aids digestion and is an expectorant. It helps with felons (inflammation of the tissues of a finger or toe) and carbuncles (a kind of skin inflammation). It acts quickly on burns. When mixed with old and applied to the head, it helps with headaches caused by heat. It strengthens gums. It is an appetizer and aids digestion.

Vinegar is treating External Injuries

The Martin-Dale Encyclopaedia of Pharmaceuticals 1989 indicated that vinegar has many beneficial uses. Some are :

To treat poisoning by alkaline (non-acidic) substances.

To help reduce fevers by applying a cold pad to the forehead which is soaked with vinegar and water.

To cure ‘black hairy tongue.’ a disease caused due to intake of antibiotics like penicillin, tetracycline by using vinegar once or twice daily for a week.

To soothe pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis by applying a pad soaked with vinegar and water to painful joints.

To treat bee and jellyfish stings by applying a mixture of equal amounts of salt and vinegar to the sting, relieving the pain and preventing inflammation.

Cider Vinegar

Professor John B.Yudkin wrote in the 1986 edition of the Penguin Encyclopaedia of Nutrition that Cider vinegar is known for its ability to cure several diseases. It helps in treating joint pain, rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), asthma and gastric disorders and is helps in losing weight.”

Slight cases of diarrhoea are a way by which the body gets rid of harmful substances that enter the digestive system. The 1989 edition of Dr. Micheal Sharon’s book, Complete Nutrition, stated that vinegar aids in treating diarrhoea. It should be taken as one to two tea spoons of vinegar in a glass of boiled or mineral water several times a day.

Anti-Microbial

Complete Nutrition also states. “Vinegar performs the role of disinfectant for the intestines. Some people advise it to be used for gargle for the mouth and throat. It disinfects the inside of the mouth from germs. The usual dosage for gargle is to mix one to three tea spoons of cider vinegar in a glass of water, in morning and at night.”

Dr. Sharon ends his argument about cider vinegar by saying: “We always have to remember that cider vinegar will not have the same effect on everyone. Some may benefit from it and some may not. Very few people may be allergic to vinegar. Nevertheless vinegar is beneficial for the majority of people.

Didn't the Prophet (saws) say, “Vinegar is a good dip".

By Dr. Hassan Shamsi Basha