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American Journal of Ethnomedicine, 2015, Vol. 2, No. 1 ISSN: 2348-9502 Available online at http://www.ajethno.com © American Journal of Ethnomedicine

Herbal Medicinal Importance of Citrullus Lanatus Mentioned in the Ahadith: A Precise Overview

Md. Sirajul Islam*1, Sofiah Samsudin 1 and A.K. Azad2

1Department of Qur’an & Sunnah Studies, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Jalan Gombak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2Department of Basic Medical Science, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmed Shah, Indera Mahkota, 2520Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

*Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Background: This study focuses on the herbal medicinal importance of (citrulluslanatus) mentioned in the Ahadith. Objective: The main objective of this study is integration between the Ahadith and the modern clinical reports on the herbal medicinal importance of watermelon. Methods: It has been discussed in this study followed by botanical name, name mentioned in the Prophetic traditions, Arabic name, English name, family, part used, nature and flavor, basic substance and medicinal use. Results: The study proved that there is no contradiction between the Ahadith and modern clinical reports on the herbal medicinal importance of this fruit. Conclusion: In conclusion, we can say in the light of this study that herbal medicine and modern medicine are complementing each other to promote humans health and comfort and always should be thankful to the Creator for His blessings.

Keywords- Watermelon, Herbal medicine, The prophetic traditions, Modern clinical reports, Integration.

INTRODUCTION According to World Health Organization (WHO) about 80% of the world population, It is impossible to survive on the earth especially in developing countries, relies without those are the sources of fruit, mainly on traditional medicine for their food, clothing, shelter and manufacturers. At initial healthcare and healing from numerous 21,22 the same time, plants are an original source diseases . Internationally, almost 85% of of medicine, prevention of the disease as total medicines are derived from 21 well1,2. species .

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The messenger of Allah (may Allah His (Ahadith) sayings and traditions are a peace be upon him) several times used secondary foundation of Muslims life. Near particular herbs and recommended about the beginning in the Islamic era, the Hadith various medicinal plants to cure of common literature had accumulated many sayings diseases. The Prophet (may Allah peace be and traditions entitle of the Prophetic upon him) frequently emphasis on the Medicine6,20. medicinal plants and importance of various The study will focus in exploring the foods3,2,23. For instance, Uqbah ibn Amir medicinal uses as well as the health benefits (may Allah be pleased upon them) narrated of watermelon (citrulluslanatus) mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah in the Ahadith in order to integrate with the peace be upon him) said: “This is blessed modern clinical reports on the medicinal tree for you, olive oil, treat by this; because importance of this fruit to promote humans it is medicine for hemorrhoids” (Vol. 17, P. health and comfort. 281, No. 774)4. Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidzi narrated that the Prophet (may MATERIALS AND METHODS Allah peace be upon him) used to eat watermelon with ripe dates, saying: “the The study was conducted by using hotness of this substance (dates) neutralizes the inductive methodology to collect the the coolness of that (watermelon)15. Ahadith on citrullus lanatus species. In Almighty Allah says: “It is He who addition, analytical method in analyzing created for you all that the earth contains” books, articles detailing medicinal [Al-Qur’an, Surah al-Baqarah or the Cow 2: importance of citrullus lanatus. Ayah 29]5. This is the wisdom of the Holy Qur’an that this verse included all creations RESULTS and informed to the mankind that all The study shows the Ahadith creation are useful for humans, but it recommended on the fruit species specially depends on the proper used. Indeed, this watermelon and its health benefits as well as ayah included all fruit plant species in remedial uses almost 1500 years BCE. This general with other creations. To be study proved the wisdom of the Holy benefited, in consuming the food, Almighty Ahadith that there is no contradiction Allah encourages humans to conduct between the Ahadith and modern research on their food and says: “Then let experimental findings, rather it found in the man look at his food” [Al-Qur’an, Surah Ahadith and modern research finding almost ‘Abasa or He Frowned 80: Ayah 24]5. similar benefits of watermelon as an herbal According to the finding of nutritionist medicine. (See figure 1.) through their experiment it is recognized that the low level of sodium in fruits is being DISCUSSION played the important role for those persons who would prefer to practice of a salt-free General statement of citrullus lanatus diet. In cleaning the digestive tract and Scientific name: Citrullus lanatus fortifying to aids in normal bowel action one Mentioned in the Holy Hadith: Bittikh, or two fruits in a day could play an Khirbiz 2,3 important role . Arabic Name: Bittikh, Khirbiz According to the Imam Ibn Qayyim English Name: Watermelon al-Jauziyyah (691AH-751 AH/1292 AD- : Citrullus 1350AD) the life example of Prophet Family: Muhammad (may Allah peace be upon him), Species: C. lanatus

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Variety: Lanatus (9) Cut the cold. (10) Purifies the skin”. Part used: Fruit, skin and seeds (Vol. 14, P. 476, No. 14766)14. Nature and flavor: Sweet and cold7. Medicinal uses and health benefits of Basic constituents watermelon The flesh contains phosphoric acid, There are major ten benefits of malic acid, fructose, glucose, amino acid, watermelon as follows: lycopene, carotene and vitamin C. (1) Good for the heart - watermelon watermelon seeds contain vitamin B2. is helpful in preventing stroke and heart andfat7. (See table 1.) attack. (2) It is helpful in decreasing blood pressure. (3) Reinforce sex drive. (4) Red Citrullus lanatus in the Ahadith watermelon playing an important role in Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased preventing cancer, because it contains upon her) narrated that the Prophet, (may lycopene (Lycopene is acknowledged which Allah peace be upon him) was combines helpful to prevent cancer). Also, it can help watermelon with date” (Vol.12, P. 51, No. in preventing skin, lung, breast, stomach and 5246)9. other types of cancer by up to 40%. (5) That the Prophet (may Allah peace Better eyesight watermelon contains vitamin be upon him) used to eat ripe dates with C and vitamin A which are good for our (Kherbaz) watermelon” (Vol. 1, P. 57, No. eyes. (6) Contains alkaline water, in a 58)10. watermelon basically 92% is alkaline water; Narrated from Aisha (may Allah be it is good for stomach especially for those blessed upon her) that “the Prophet (may who are suffering from ulcers. (7) Reduces Allah peace be upon him) used to eat bad breath. (8) Good for the kidney. It can watermelon with ripe dates” (Vol. 7, P. 29, clean our kidneys and bladder. Person who No. 1766)11. suffering from infected urine he should eat Anas (may Allah be blessed upon watermelon and drinking water to reduce him) said, I saw the Messenger of Allah germs in the bladder. Besides, watermelon (may Allah peace be upon him) combines leads to remove kidney stones. (9) Helpful ripe dates with (Khirbiz) watermelon (Vol. in gout. (10) Watermelon is powerful energy 19, P. 434, No. 12449)12. drink also15-18. Narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) She said: “The Messenger APPLICATIONS of Allah (may Allah peace be upon him) used to eat watermelon with date” and He  Drink a glass of fresh watermelon juice said “We break the hotness of this substance to relieve dizziness in sunstroke and 19 (dates) by the coolness of this substance vomiting . (watermelon), and the coolness of this  Eat 500 to 1,000 grams fresh (watermelon) by the hotness of this watermelon each time, twice a day to substance (dates)” (Vol. 3, P. 427, No. relieve thirst, bitter taste in mouth, 3838)13. Narrated from Ibn Abbas (may discharge of yellowish urine, bad breath, 19 Allah pleased be upon him) that the pain in urethra, and a hangover . “watermelon contains ten qualities; (1) It is  Cut off watermelon peels about 0.5 cm food. (2) It is drink. (3) Sweet basil. (4) Fruit thick and put in the sun to dry, which and potash. (5) Wash the urinary bladder. become dry watermelon peels widely (6) Wash the abdomen. (7) Increase water used as herb in Chinese herbalism19. for back. (8) Increases in sexual intercourse.

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 Diabetes: take 30 grams of watermelon CONCLUSION skin and 30 grams of winter skin. Steam in water and serve. Do this 3 By the grace of Almighty Allah 16 towards humans that watermelon times a day, every day .  Fever, with thirst and dry mouth; (citrulluslanatus) is a pharmacy; containing stomach feeling hot and a bitter taste in active substances. It has proven in the light the mouth; bad breath. Take 500-1000 of Ahadith and modern clinical reports on grams of melon and eat 1-2 times a the herbal medicinal importance of this fruit day16. to get rid of a lot of incurable diseases without causing any side effects. As a matter  If reduce urine or yellow; feel pain of fact, return to the herbal medicinal plants during urinating; feel pain in the is necessary and recommended by the light auriferous tubule: take 500-1000 grams of Holy Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions. of fresh melon and eat 2-3 times in a 16 day . REFERENCES  Hangover. Take 500-1000 grams of fruit, slice and eat, or take 60 grams of 1. Akal Mansur, (1994). Nabatatfil Qur’an al- skin, steam in water and serve16. karim, Oman-Urdun: Publisher:  Boil 50 grams of dry watermelon peels JamiatulIlmiah al-Malkiah, P. 3. in water and drink as tea to treat 2. Md. Sirajul I. and Sofiah S. (2014). hypertension, diabetes, nephritis, and a Discover the Miracle of Fruit Plant Species hangover19. Mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and Their Folk Medicinal Importance.Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 8(9), CAUTION 287-303. Appropriate time for having 3. Marwat, S. K., Khan, M. A., Khan, M. A., Ahmad, M., Zafar, M., Rehman, F., & watermelon is before having the meals. Sultana, S. (2009). Fruit Plant Species After having the meals immediately having Mentioned in the Holy Qura’n and Ahadith watermelon will cause for vomiting. and Their Ethno medicinal Importance. Am. According to opinion of physicians if eaten Eurasian J. Agric. Environ. Sci, 5(2), 284- watermelon before the meal clean the 295. stomach and removes illnesses”15. 4. Sulayman ibn Ahmad ibn Ayyub Abul Kashim al-Tabrani, K., (1983). Al- RECOMMENDATION M’uzmulKabir, review: Hamdiibn Abdul Majid Al-Salfi, publisher: From above discussion it could be MaktabatulUlumwal Hakim, 2nd edition, concluded that watermelon would be more No: 774, Vol: 17, p281. effective in healthcare management. 5. Taqi U., English Translation of the Holy However, from this study, researchers can Qur'an. achieve more fruitful information by 6. Khafagi, I., Zakaria, A., Dewedar, A., & El- collaborative research i.e the combination Zahdany, K. (2006). A Voyage in the World of Plants as Mentioned in the Holy Quran. between revelation and reason. More International Journal of Botany, 2 (3), 242- research should be conducted between both 251. the scientists and traditions researchers 7. Cai Jingfeng, (1996). Eating your way to about watermelon and ripe dates mild (?). health-dietotherapy in traditional Chinese Scientists might discover new information Medicine, Beijing China: Foreign Language by research in the Prophetic traditions about Press, 24 Baiwanzhuang Road, 2nd edition, mild of watermelon and ripe dates. p150.

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8. Watermelon nutrition facts, available at Edwards & Gong Zhi-mei, (Selangor- http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/waterme Malaysia: Pelanduk Publications (M) Sdn. lon.html, (accessed 18 November 2014). Bhd., 12 Jalan SS13/3E, Subang Jaya 9. Muhammad Ibn Hibban ibn Ahmad Abu Industrial Estate, p20. Hatim al-tamimi al-Basti, K., (1993). Shih 17. Badr Azimabadi, (1996). Prophetic Way of Ibn Hibban bi Tartibe ibn Balban, Review: Treatment, New Delhi: Adam Publishers & Suabul Arnut, Publisher: Bayrut-Mussasatu Distributors, 1st edition, p283. Arresala, 2nd edition, No: 5246, vol: 12, 18. 10-health-benefits-watermelon, Available at: P51. http://expertscolumn.com/content/top- 10. Albani, Muhammmad Nasir Udin, Silsilatul retrieved 05 January, 2013. Ahadith al- Shihah, Skandriah- Markaz 19. Henry C. Lu, (1995). Chinese System of Nurul Islam le Abhath al- Qur’an wasunnah, Food Cures: Prevention & Remedies, p78. No: 58, Vol: 1, p57. 20. Nagamia, H. F. (2003). Islamic medicine 11. Immam Tirmidzi, Sunan Tirmidhi, No: history and current practice. JISHIM, 2, 19- 1766, Vol: 7, p29. 30. 12. Ahmad ibn Hanbal, K., (1999). Masnad 21. Devi, U., Sharma, P., &Rana, J. C. (2014). Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Review: Sh’ab al- Assessment of ethnomedicinal plants of Arnut& others, Mussasatu Arresalah- Shivalik Hills of Northwest Himalaya, India. Bayrut, Publisher, 2nd edition, No: 12449, American Journal of Ethnomedicine, Vol. 1, vol: 19, P434. No. 4, 186-205. 13. Abu Daud Sulayman ibn al-Ashaash al- 22. Hüsnü Can Baser, K. (1997). Industrial Sazastani, Sunan Abi Daud, No: 3838, vol: utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants. 3, p427. In II WOCMAP Congress Medicinal and 14. Suywti J., Zamiul Hadith, No: 27132, Vol: Aromatic Plants, Part 4: Industrial 24, p269. Processing, Standards & Regulations, 15. Ibn Qayyim al-Jauziyah, (2003). Healing Quality, Marketing, 503 (pp. 177-192). with the Medicine of the Prophet, Translated 23. Islam, M., & Samsudin, S. (2013). Studies by Jalal Abual Rub, edited by Abdul on nutritious distinct vegetable plants Rahman Abdullah, Maktaba Dar-us- Salam, species mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and 2nd edition, p272. their folk medicinal importance. Australian 16. Dai Yin-fang & Liu Cheng-jun, (1999). Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, Fruits as medicine, Translated by Ron 7(10), 455-466.

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Table 1. Nutrients value in watermelon8

Watermelon (Citrulluslanatus), fresh, Nutritive Value per 100 g, (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle Nutrient Value Percentage of RDA Energy 30 Kcal 1.5% Carbohydrates 7.6 g 6% Protein 0.6 g 1% Total Fat 0.15 g 0.5% Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Dietary Fiber 0.4 g 1% Vitamins

Folates 3 µg 1% Niacin 0.178 mg 1% Pantothenic acid 0.221 mg 4.5% Pyridoxine 0.045 mg 3.5% Thiamin 0.033 mg 3% Vitamin A 569 IU 19% Vitamin C 8.1 mg 13.5% Vitamin E 0.05 mg 0.5% Electrolytes

Sodium 1 mg 0% Potassium 112 mg 2.5% Minerals

Calcium 7 mg 0.7% Copper 42 µg 4.5% Iron 0.24 mg 3% Magnesium 10 mg 2.5% Manganese 0.038 mg 1.5% Zinc 0.10 mg 1% Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-alpha 303 µg -- Crypto-xanthin-beta 78 µg -- Lutein-zeaxanthin 8 µg -- Lycopene 4532 µg --

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Figure 1. Images of watermelon

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