Islam does not separate worship from well-being. Many prophetic practices protect the body while nurturing the soul. These habits were not taught as trends or hacks, but as balanced ways of living rooted in moderation, cleanliness, and awareness of Allah.
1. Soaking Dates (Nabīdh)
Soaking dates in water overnight is a known Sunnah practice. The drink made from this is called nabīdh as long as it is consumed before fermentation.
The Companion ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه said:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُنْتَبَذُ لَهُ أَوَّلَ اللَّيْلِ فَيَشْرَبُهُ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ وَاللَّيْلَةَ الَّتِي تَجِيءُ وَالْغَدَ وَاللَّيْلَةَ الأُخْرَى وَالْغَدَ إِلَى الْعَصْرِ فَإِنْ بَقِيَ شَىْءٌ سَقَاهُ الْخَادِمَ أَوْ أَمَرَ بِهِ فَصُبَّ .
“Nabidh (Dates soaked in water) was prepared for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) in the beginning of the night and he would drink it in the morning and the following night and the following day and the night after that up to the afternoon. If anything was left out of that he gave it to his servant, or gave orders for it to be poured out.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2004]
This drink was consumed fresh, not left to ferment. It supports digestion and provides energy.
2. Eating Dates Regularly
Dates were a staple food of the Prophet ﷺ and are repeatedly praised in the Sunnah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ تَصَبَّحَ بِسَبْعِ تَمَرَاتٍ عَجْوَةً لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ سُمٌّ وَلَا سِحْرٌ
“Whoever eats seven Ajwah dates in the morning, that day no poison or magic will harm him.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5779 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2047]
Dates nourish the body, strengthen energy, and carry spiritual protection by Allah’s permission.
3. Honey
Honey is clearly named as a form of healing in the Sunnah and is meant to be used directly, not just spoken about.
The Companion Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"الشِّفَاءُ فِي ثَلاَثَةٍ شَرْبَةِ عَسَلٍ، وَشَرْطَةِ مِحْجَمٍ، وَكَيَّةِ نَارٍ، وَأَنْهَى أُمَّتِي عَنِ الْكَىِّ"
“Healing is in three things: a gulp of honey, cupping, and cauterization with fire, but I forbid my nation from cauterization.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5681]
Honey is taken internally and works by strengthening the body. It supports digestion, recovery, and energy.
4. Cupping (Ḥijāmah)
Cupping is mentioned alongside honey, showing that some treatments require direct physical intervention.
The Companion Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"الشِّفَاءُ فِي ثَلاَثَةٍ شَرْبَةِ عَسَلٍ، وَشَرْطَةِ مِحْجَمٍ، وَكَيَّةِ نَارٍ"
“Healing is in three things: a gulp of honey, a cut from the cupper, and cauterization with fire.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5680]
Cupping is done intentionally, at the right time, by someone skilled.
5. Black Cumin (Ḥabbah Sawdāʾ)
Black cumin is described as having broad healing benefit when actually used as treatment.
Khalid ibn Saʿd narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْحَبَّةَ السَّوْدَاءَ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ إِلَّا السَّامَ"
“This black cumin is a cure for every disease except death.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5687]
6. At-Talbina
At-talbina is a simple barley-based food used to support recovery during illness and grief.
ʿUrwah narrated that ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها said the Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ التَّلْبِينَةَ تُجِمُّ فُؤَادَ الْمَرِيضِ، وَتُذْهِبُ بِبَعْضِ الْحُزْنِ"
“At-talbina gives rest to the heart of the sick person and removes some sorrow.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5689]
The Sunnah offers a complete lifestyle that nurtures the body without excess and the soul without neglect.
Simple habits like soaking dates, eating moderately, sleeping early, and waking with purpose are not small acts.
They are acts of gratitude, lived remembrance, and quiet obedience.
Health in Islam is not vanity.
It is amanah.
