Ibn Al Qayyim: Figs are excellent for cleansing.

Figs are a blessed fruit by which Allah Azzawajal takes an oath in the Revelation;

"By the Fig and the Olive."

[At Teen 95:1]

Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimullah) said, "Because figs were not known in the Hejaaz or Madinah, they are not mentioned in the Sunnah, but Allah the Exalted swore by them in His Book, because of their great benefits. The correct view is that what is sworn by here is the well known regular fig."

Sheikh Muhammad Mahmoud 'Abdullah says that oaths in the Qur'aan are of two types; either because of the virtue of the object, or because of its benefit. Swearing by figs and olives is because of their benefits to people. They serve as drink, food, healing and condiments. They are mentioned together because they bring complete benefits. Figs plus olives form complete nourishment which supplies man with all that he needs of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimullah) said that the best kind of fig is the one with a white skin; it clears sand from the kidneys and bladder [reducing the risk of the development of stones] and protects against poison. It is the most nourishing of all fruits. It is good for clearing the throat and chest, cleanses the liver and spleen, and purifies mucus from the stomach. Dried figs are nourishing and good for the nerves.

Figs are regarded as one of the richest fruits in vitamins; especially A, B1, B2, C and Carotene. They also contain high amounts of iron, calcium and copper. These minerals are particularly good for those affected by anaemia because they assist with the production of haemoglobin in the blood.

Reference - Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wassallam). Darussalam.

Figs have a hot temperament and such fruits are better partners with yoghurt than acidic fruits like berries. Here is my recipe for fig lassi with honey and for this recipe I have used Black Bursa figs which have a purple skin because white figs are not available where I live. It is still a healthy and nutritious drink to serve to your family and guests.

Fresh figs are delicate and highly perishable. Try to pick the fruit on the same day as you are planning to serve it, also preserve it/freeze it on the same day of its purchase.

Fig [Anjeer] Lassi - serves 2-3

Freshly made fig lassi. SubhanAllah, look at it's beautiful colour.

2 cups of yoghurt, homemade yoghurt is best.

7 large ripe figs, washed and chopped roughly. You can peel them if you wish.

Crushed ice or chilled water from the fridge.

Pure honey to sweeten to your taste.

Put the figs, honey and a small amount of water in the blender and blend until it forms a smooth paste. Add the yogurt and remaining water/ice and blend until smooth.

Figs with honey in the blender. I have kept the skins on this time.

Encourage your children to get into the kitchen to help you make this drink, explaining to them how Allah has mentioned this delicious fruit in His Most Exalted Revelation, it is held in high esteem and is also available for the righteous in Jannah.

Serve it straight away to them garnished with chopped fruits, like more figs, apples or pears.

Enjoy!

Foods, drinks and herbs mentioned in the Holy Qur'an.

A summary of the majority of the wonderful foods, drinks and herbs mentioned by Allah Azzawajjal in the Holy Qur'an.

Olives and olive oil.

Surah An Noor [24:35]

"Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things."

Surah At Tin [95:1]

"By the fig and the olive."

Surah Abasa [80:29]

"And olives and palm trees."

Surah Al Mu'minoon [23:20]

"And [We brought forth] a tree issuing from Mount Sinai which produces oil and food for those who eat."

Surah An Nahl [16:11]

"He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and from all the fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought."                                  

Sweet smelling herbs.

Surah Ar Rahmaan [55:12]

"And grain having husks and sweet scented plants."

Fish.

Surah An Nahl [16:14]

"And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, and [He subjected it] that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful."

Grapes.

Surah Al Mu'minoon [23:19]

"And We brought forth for you thereby gardens of palm trees and grapevines in which for you are abundant fruits and from which you eat."

Garlic and/or Onions.

Surah Al Baqarah [2:61]

"And [recall] when you said, "O Moses, we can never endure one [kind of] food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions." [Moses] said, "Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into [any] settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked." And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah [upon them]. That was because they [repeatedly] disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were [habitually] transgressing."

Corn and/or Wheat and other grains with husks.

Surah Ar Rahmaan [55:12]

"And grain having husks and sweet scented plants."

Ginger.

Surah Al Insaan [76:17]

"And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of ginger."

Pomegranate.

Surah Ar Rahmaan [55:68]

"In both of them are fruit and palm trees and pomegranates."

Dates.

Surah Maryam [19:25]

"And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates."

Meat.

Surah Al Ma'idah [5:4]

"They ask you, [O Muhammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, "Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allah upon it, and fear Allah ." Indeed, Allah is swift in account."

Bananas.

Surah Al Waqiy'ah [56:29]

"And [banana] trees layered [with fruit]."

Lentils.

Surah Al Baqarah [2:61]

"And [recall] when you said, "O Moses, we can never endure one [kind of] food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions." [Moses] said, "Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into [any] settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked." And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah [upon them]. That was because they [repeatedly] disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were [habitually] transgressing."

  

Gourds and/or Squashes and Pumpkins.

Surah As Saffaat [37:146]

"And We caused to grow over him a gourd vine."

Cucumbers.

Surah Al Baqarah [2:61]

"And [recall] when you said, "O Moses, we can never endure one [kind of] food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions." [Moses] said, "Would you exchange what is better for what is less? Go into [any] settlement and indeed, you will have what you have asked." And they were covered with humiliation and poverty and returned with anger from Allah [upon them]. That was because they [repeatedly] disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were [habitually] transgressing."

Figs.

Surah At Tin [95:1]

"By the fig and the olive."

Fresh Spring Water.

Surah Al Mursallat [77:41]

"Indeed, the righteous will be among shades and springs."

Milk.

Surah An Nahl [16:66]

"And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies - between excretion and blood - pure milk, palatable to drinkers."

Surah Al Mu'minoon [23:21]

"And indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat."

Surah Muhammad [47:15]

"Is the description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, wherein are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from their Lord, like [that of] those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines?"

Honey.

Surah An Nahl [16:69]

"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 colours, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought."