“It is from the Sunna to commence and conclude one’s meals with salt, rather in doing so; there is cure from seventy illnesses.” ~ Radd al-Muhtar ala ‘l-Durr al-Mukhtar/ Al-Muhit al-Burhani/ Al-Bahr al-Ra’iq/ Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya. Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali also relates the same in the Ihya Uloom al-Din. Salt is composed of two chemicals: sodium and chloride. The chlorides present in salt constitute the only readily available source of chlorides with which the body can manufacture hydrochloric acid, vital for proper digestion in the stomach. Thus, taking in a small amount of salt prior to the meal allows any deficiency of hydrochloric acid to be made up just before introducing new food. It should be added that the harmful effects of excess salt are primarily associated with raised levels of sodium, not chlorides. In fact, persons who eliminate salt entirely from their diet may be subject to further disease caused by lack of proper levels of hydrochloric acid. These two examples prove that there is indeed intelligent medical reason-ing for following the recommendations of these Hadith. It is true that not all of these Hadith have been submitted to scientific confirmation. It must be pointed out, however, that even if scientific experiments were done to confirm each and every statement, the fact that science did not, or could not, confirm its value would not negate the truth of the statement. For scientific knowledge is constantly changing, and too often experiments have been found to be done incorrectly, and even intentionally falsified. For the Sufi, it is sufficient that Allah has mentioned, or inspired His Prophet (s.a.w.s.) to advise, a practice. Human knowledge or experience can never contradict or amend the divine knowledge and commandments. ~ Sunnah Foods of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 04:31:28 +0000
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