#Islam

The Mighty Signs In The Humble Honey Bee

Published

October 25, 2016

Bilou

Among the many creatures Allah has created in this world, there is one in which Allah’s blessing is so clear that it is evident to all of mankind. This creature is no bigger than my thumb and affects our well being, society and economy. This miraculous creature is the honey bee.

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A reason why an entire chapter in the Quran has been devoted to it is that Allah has enabled the honey bee to produce a substance within which there is a cure for all mankind. Allah says in the Quran:

And your Lord inspired to the bee, “Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct [Surat An-Naĥl: 16:68]

Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you].” There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought [Surat An-Naĥl: 16:69]

From these verses, we can see the reference to the healing benefits of the honey bee. Unlike other creatures that are limited in range to specific locations, the honey bee can be found worldwide, and its medicinal benefits are universal.

In a hadith, Abdullah bin Mas’ood has reported Allah’s Messenger as saying: “Make use of two remedies, Honey and Quran.”

Honey has been useful both as food and medicine. It has been produced by bees from nectar and contains a unique combination of sugars, acids, minerals, enzymes, vitamins, and flavor to make it one of the most nutritionally diverse and easily digestible foods known to man. For these properties it has become known as a superfood for its superior health benefits.

Approximately a third of all the food we eat is due to pollination from the honeybee. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides and disease, their numbers have been dwindling. Over the last decade, there has been a startling rise in colony collapse disorder, a phenomenon by which the worker bees in a colony disappear. Research is still ongoing, but several possible causes have been identified including pathogens, mites, radiation and fungus. As honey bees are essential for maintaining our food supply, it has become a major concern from an economic perspective as well. Without a healthy bee population, produce prices would skyrocket, costing both the agricultural and food industry billions of dollars.

The list of benefits and remedies which the honey bee provides to its consumers and our society through honey and pollination include:

One teaspoon of honey will help to clear most colds and coughs.
Drinking honey diluted in hot water in winter and cold water in summer relieves stress, and is an ideal energy supplement.
A spoonful of honey early in the morning restores health and increases potency of body organs and the mind.
Honey improves memory and eyesight.
Honey strengthens the joints in the body.
Honey has four times more energy than milk.
Honey reduces stress and tiredness.
Honey is not harmful for diabetics.
Honey bees are vital as pollinators. They are responsible for 1/3 of your food.
The honey bee is the only insect that produces food eaten directly by man.
Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water; and it’s the only food that contains “pinocembrin”, an antioxidant associated with improved brain functioning.

The critical role of the honey bee and the benefits of honey have only become apparent over the last several decades. Honey bees contribute over $14 billion to the value of U.S crop production. Some crops would not be available as they rely 100% on bee pollination. Unfortunately, due to the impact that humans have on their population, we have seen a decrease in colonies over the years. Cross-pollination practiced by bees helps at least 30% of the worlds crops and 90% of our wild plants to thrive.

Modern science is becoming more aware of the knowledge that has existed within the Quran and Sunnah over 1400 years ago, which is a testament to the many signs of Allah.

May Allah guide us on the straight path, and guide us to better understand His creations and blessings.

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Related Topics:health honey honey bee Miracles of the Quran nutrition Quran sunnah superfood Surah Nahl

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Bilou

Abu Ryan Bilou Al Dardiri holds multiple degrees and masters in education and various sciences, and holds credentials in US Govt and Politics from the Harvard Kennedy School, Data Science from Columbia University, and Maryland University. He is currently enrolled as a student in Mishkah pursuing a bachelors in Islamic Studies. He is working at the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) as an educational advisor. He is the founder and Chief Coordinator of the non-profit organization The Building Blocks of New Jersey whose mission is: “To aid self development, promote activism, and bolster community building”, and AJR International focusing on Muslim villages in India and Nigeria. He also consults and is a trustee at “Outreach on the Barrio” based in Houston, and Green Muslims based in Washington DC. In 2019 he published his first children’s book titled “My First Illustrated Hadith Book”, and since then has published more children books and 99 names of Allah for adults.

8 Comments

worker bee

October 27, 2016 at 12:43 AM

Salaam alaioom,

Barak Allah feek dr. br. Khalid for the article.

Can anyone give any advice/information about types of honey?..etc. the diluted to the pure and best quality ones…etc?

Barak Allah feekom. May Allah heal the world through Quran and honey and revival of the beloved’s (p.b.u.h) sunnah.ameen.

Reply
- Badr
  
  October 30, 2016 at 6:52 AM
  
  Assalamu Alaikum,
  
  Always get organic honey….it’s the best quality and purest in terms of processing.
  
  For a while now, I have been taking a teaspoon of honey every morning….better than any multivitamin pill.
  
  Reply
Ahmed

October 30, 2016 at 8:25 AM

I would like to add something cool. The verse mentions honey bees in the feminine, and today we know that all worker bees are female. Amazing verse.

Reply
Infidelicious

November 1, 2016 at 2:50 PM

Indeed, the honey bee is an awe-inspiring creature, even from a stricktly rationalist point-of-view. Millions of years of evolution have perfected the social structure and the much valued product of this tiny species.
Your Prophet was truly wise to appreciate the importance of the honey bee. Sadly , there is the phenomenon of “Colony Collapse Disorder” whereupon millions and millions of bees just die. It may or may not be linked to the impact we – as humans – have on our planet and its climate.
If “we” eventually cause the extinction of this precious animal, who will apologise to the last living bee on behalf of humanity ?

Reply
- peaceful drone
  
  November 24, 2016 at 3:30 AM
  
  You will apologise br/sr in humanity…just as i …just they…just as us all will…..
  Peace
  
  Reply
Um Aneesa

November 12, 2016 at 8:43 PM

the believer is like a bee which eats that is pure and wholesome and lays that which is pure and wholesome. When it lands on something, it doesn’t break or ruin it. – Sahih Al Jami As Sagheer

Reply
bird bee ...not an ant

November 24, 2016 at 4:08 AM

Barak Allah feekom ..took a faliq yet again….

Thank you for direction ie the correction of the working….i always presumed…the worker bees were the ones doing the

Either way….as i rewrite this from yesterdays memory….i m a cucko but im not..also i wish i was a nocturnal bee…praying all night…..and up all day too……the chinese may have figured it out…with the old sufi tale and its lessons of which i can not recall of a byzantine and chinese, one painting one simply shining…..reflections and…etc .

As for my queen…ie mama…..i dedicate this to you now..ie here for now….the lake of innisfree..so i myself will go and arise now….i hope you are still alive in a way….either way..despite the weather and its men and women…i pray we meet soon..ameen.amen.

And as it is this month and before it is gone….lets just quote…no just mention…the second coming….

Peace ahead. Glad tidings and warnings….but ultimately…….

Allah Akbar and peace and blessings on Muhammed and all those that follow him.amen ameen. We have all been warned so please let us all repent. Before mercy descends.

Reply
- feeling self righteous...may Our Maker forgive....
  
  November 24, 2016 at 4:14 AM
  
  Mercy of Allah always here….i meant to say before it too descends……2 2 cho cho get it get it….
  
  And as to badr al deen….thank you..we pray there is no goggy honey..if there is currently..may it too be…gone….
  
  Reply