SALT – an important dietary additive

Prophetic Medicine:

In Islamic Medicine, salt is considered the stabiliser, architect or the principal substance of the food, and one that plays a dominant role in affecting other substances. Food is considered to be regulated with salt and Imam Ibn Qayyim (rahimullah) reported that most foods do not balance unless they contain salt.

Salt is necessary to sustain the processes of life and it is an essential dietary constituent of all mammals.

Abdullah ibn Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Almighty God sent down four blessings from the skies; iron, fire, water and salt.”

Salt helps evacuation, decomposition of solid food, transfer of nutrients around the body, elimination of excess moisture in the body, strengthening of the overall constitution and it also helps in preventing putrefaction and toxicity. Salt can also help relieve gastrointestinal malabsorption which can develop into inflammation of the digestive tract (Crohn’s Disease).

Gargling with a solution of salt and warm water can help prevent tooth decay. The same solution helps strengthen the gums, cures mouth sores, reduces mouth infections and also controls skin rashes.

Even a mild deficiency in salt can cause fatigue, weakness and a decreased attention span.

The use of salt as a preservative is recorded in both the Tafseer of the Qur'an and in the Sunnah.

A salted fish for Musa (alayhisalaam).

Ubayy ibn Ka'b (radhi Allahu anhu) narrated to us that he had heard Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as saying, "Moses had been delivering sermons to his people. And he made this remark: "No person upon the earth has better knowledge than I or nothing better than mine." Thereupon Allah revealed to him: I know one who is better than you (in knowledge) or there is a person on the earth having more knowledge than you. Thereupon he said: "My Lord, direct me to him." It was said to him: Keep a salted fish as a provision for journey. The place where that fish would be lost (there you will find that man)...."

Sahih Muslim Book 30, Hadith 5865

Salt was used to preserve meat in the time of Rasool'Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

It was narrated by A'ishah (radhi Allahu anha), that "We used to salt some of the meat of sacrifice and present it to the Prophet at Medina. 

Once he said, "Do not eat (of that meat) for more than three days [indicating that salt-cured meat should not be consumed for more than 3 days straight]." That was not a final order, but (that year) he wanted us to feed of it to others, Allah knows better."

Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 68, Number 477

#Prophetic_Medicine  #hadith #TibENabvi

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