Islamic Remedies for Obesity, Digestive Problems and the Importance of Moderation in Eating

Get your blood tested

Those who are overweight are advised to get a lipid profile test done, which is a group of blood tests carried out for the diagnosis of heart diseases. These tests also comprise a test to check cholesterol levels. If the stomach is empty from fourteen hours before this test, the result will be more accurate. Also get diabetes tested. How nice it would be if one fasts for the pleasure of Allah and gets these tests done before sunset. Then, try to reduce weight as per your doctor's advice. Those who are fit and healthy should also have this test done at least every six months so that one can avoid any illnesses before they appear.

Remedy for obesity

Vegetables (other than the ones causing flatulence like the potato etc.) are very beneficial to the reduction of weight. They should be boiled in water only, or for a single person, prepared with one teaspoon of olive oil. There is no harm in adding chillies, spices and turmeric. Everyone should have one gram of turmeric daily as it will protect against cancer, اِنْ شَآءَاللّٰه عَزَّوَجَلَّ. One should consume at least one whole plate of vegetables everyday, prepared in the manner described above. If one wishes to eat bread or rice etc., then one should eat half of a flatbread or half a cup of rice boiled in water and a small piece of meat. If one wishes to eat a mango, he should eat only half a mango in a day. If one wishes to drink tea, he should drink the one prepared with skim milk without sugar, and if this is not possible, then he may add some artificial sweetener to his cup of tea with the advice of his doctor. If you do not have diabetes, add honey in place of sugar. One should often consume salads and cucumbers etc.

The use of olive oil in every type of food would be very beneficial. (If you do not have olive oil, use a little amount of corn oil). Prior to eating, remove all clarified butter or oil that appears on the top of the food with a spoon in such a way that not a single drop remains in the plate. It is not permissible to throw away this oil or clarified butter without the permission of Sharī'aĥ as it would lead to the sin of wasting. Reuse this clarified butter or oil. You should also refrain from eating rice, cow or goat-meat, every type of butter, egg-yolk, cake-pastries, chocolates, sweets, fried salty items, creamy items, sweet dishes, sweet delicacies, ice creams, cold drinks, pakoras, kebabs, and samosas. Avoid every fatty, oily and sweet food.

By refraining from these items, you would be able to reduce your weight and look fit and healthy, اِنْ شَآءَاللّٰه عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Food-charts are also available at clinics which you may follow to maintain your weight. It is better to first discuss (your condition) with your doctor before you attempt to reduce your weight. If possible, try to consult only one doctor because he would become familiar with your bodily conditions and would be able to treat you properly. If you keep changing doctors then each would treat you according to his knowledge and experience and you would become a medical experiment for each one.

Four cures for constipation

In the 2nd volume of Qūt-ul-Qulūb (page 365), it is stated that if defecation (excretion of faeces) takes place within 6 hours of eating or it does not take place even after 24 hours, then this condition indicates an ill stomach. Arthritis (i.e. pain in joints) is caused by preventing the release of gas from the body. If the running water of a canal is restricted, it would certainly damage the canal's banks. Similarly, if urine is not released, it would cause damage to the body. One should try to improve the digestive system or else it would be difficult to overcome obesity. Eat vegetables and fruits in abundance. Four cures for constipation are stated below:

1.     Eat four or five ripe guavas with seeds, or

2.     Eat a considerable amount of papaya. If Allah wills, this will clean the stomach.

3.     Every 4 days one should eat 3 or 4 spoons of psyllium husk or a spoon of digestive powder with water. If Allah wills, this will clean the stomach. One should not consume psyllium husk or digestive powder every day as it then becomes ineffective.

4.     If your doctor permits, take one tablet of Gramex (metronidazole) 400 mg in the morning and one in the evening for five consecutive days every 2 or 3 months. You will find it to be very effective medicine for constipation, indigestion and other stomach illnesses. Whenever you intend to take this tablet, it is necessary to take it for five consecutive days. You may also take this tablet on an empty stomach. However, the best cure for indigestion is to apply the Madanī guard to the stomach.

صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْبِ ۞ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Medication for narcolepsy*

Add a spoon of honey to water (tepid water is more beneficial) and drink it on an empty stomach every morning regularly. If one is fasting, he should have this drink during Ifṭār. By doing this,

* Narcolepsy is a medical condition in which a person undergoes extreme fatigue and suddenly feels sleepy in the daytime.

اِنْ شَآءَاللّٰه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, he would be protected from obesity and many other diseases, especially stomach illnesses. In order to make it more beneficial, squeeze a whole or half a lemon onto this drink. If a person feels sleepy while studying or attending an Ijtimā' etc., then the above mentioned medication would prove to be an effective cure for this problem.

Best cure for obesity

The best means to protect oneself from obesity is to follow the remedy prescribed by the Healer of all healers, the Noble Prophet ﷺ who has stated, 'Hunger should be divided into three parts; one part (should be) for food, one for water and one for air.' If one adopts this manner of eating he will never suffer from obesity, gas, flatulence, indigestion and constipation.