Grains in General

4. Grains in General (7) ✦

The Arabic word habb () is the grains of seeds of any plant. Popular seeds are rice, corn, wheat, barley, beans and peas.

1. The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of God, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. God gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And God is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower. [2:261]

2. And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record. [6:59]

3. It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe. [6:99]

4. And a sign for them is the dead land. We gave it life, and We brought forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof. [36:33]

5. That We may produce therewith grains and vegetations. [78:15]

6. And We cause therein grain to grow. [80:27]


Benefits:►

The nutritional benefits of grains are numerous, providing us with carbohydrates, B-vitamins, fibres, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Barley was once the main cereal popularly used in the Arabian Peninsula. It has a very low-glycemic index (causes slow rise of sugar in the blood after consumption). These cause low levels of insulin release in the blood, thus stabilizing the hormone, controlling hunger pangs and reducing obesity which makes it an ideal food for those suffering from diabetes.

Authentic hadiths have shown that the Messenger of Allah sal Allahu Alaihi wa sallam was particularly fond of barley porridge. Aisha, the wife of the prophet sal Allahu Alaihi wa sallam said, “When a family member of the Prophet’s house-hold would fall sick, he would order barley soup and the invalid would be urged to have some of it”.

The Prophet used to say, “It strengthens the heart of the sad person and relieves the heart of illness, just as one of you would wash dirt off her face with water”. (Tirmidhi and Ahmed)

Barley soup can be easily prepared by boiling one portion of barley grains in five portions of water under moderate heat until the water is reduced to two-fifths of its volume.

It is easily available in the supermarkets as whole grain barley, polished barley, barley flakes, and barley flour and barley syrup.

Wheat is more popular among all culture groups and communities and is widely harvested throughout the world. Whole wheat is the most nutritious form, high in fibre, mineral and vitamin content. It is packaged in many forms like wheat flour which is widely used in cakes and breads, semolina- mainly used in porridge and puddings, couscous- traditionally used in Moroccan cooking and pasta.

Rice is a common grain forming the staple diet of many people across the world. There are many types of rice and their nutritional value depends on the degree of refining and milling. Of the most nutritious forms are red rice and brown rice which are least refined and contains higher fiber, mineral and B-vitamin content than white rice. It also helps those who are trying to control weight gain.

Corn, is a rich source of carbohydrates, fibre and minerals like potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. They are available as are corn flakes- which make for a nutritious breakfast added with milk and fruit, sweet corn-used widely in soups and salads and corn meal- used in muffins, cakes and breads.

Popcorn can especially turn out to be a wonderfully nutritious snack provided it is consumed without too much salt and butter.

Oats are high in vitamin E, essential fatty acids and iron, making it an ideal food for those suffering from high cholesterol levels, and are an excellent source of carbohydrates for diabetics due to its low-glycemic index.

Other wheat grain sources like rye, millet, quinoa and buck-wheat are low in gluten and high in fibre value.

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom he pleases. And Allah is all-sufficient for his creature’s needs, All-knower”. Quran (2:261)

It is a fact that curing the ills of the physical body without curing those of the heart and soul is an effort duly wasted. And the best remedy for curing the ills of the soul and heart is through recitation of the divine revelations of the Holy Quran.