Science in Quran

By Zahid Ikram

THE OLIVE
A HEALTH-GIVING PLANT

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرۡعَ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَـٰبَ وَمِن ڪُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَڪَّرُونَ (١١) ِ

 

And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect. (Quran, 16:11)

 

اسی پانی سے وہ تمہارے لیے کھیتی اور زیتون اور کھجور اور انگور (اور بےشمار درخت) اُگاتا ہے۔ اور ہر طرح کے پھل (پیدا کرتا ہے) غور کرنے والوں کے لیے اس میں (قدرتِ خدا کی بڑی) نشانی ہے (۱۱)

 


One of the foods to which attention is drawn in the Quran is the olive. Research in recent years has revealed that the olive is not just a delicious food but also represents an important source of good health. In addition to the olive itself, olive oil is also an important source of nutrition. Attention is drawn to the oil of the olive tree in these terms in the Quran:

 

سُوۡرَةُ النُّور
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

 ٱللَّهُ نُورُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِۦ كَمِشۡكَوٰةٍ۬ فِيہَا مِصۡبَاحٌ‌ۖ ٱلۡمِصۡبَاحُ فِى زُجَاجَةٍ‌ۖ ٱلزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّہَا كَوۡكَبٌ۬ دُرِّىٌّ۬ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍ۬ مُّبَـٰرَڪَةٍ۬ زَيۡتُونَةٍ۬ لَّا شَرۡقِيَّةٍ۬ وَلَا غَرۡبِيَّةٍ۬ يَكَادُ زَيۡتُہَا يُضِىٓءُ وَلَوۡ لَمۡ تَمۡسَسۡهُ نَارٌ۬‌ۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ۬‌ۗ يَہۡدِى ٱللَّهُ لِنُورِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَـٰلَ لِلنَّاسِ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمٌ۬ (٣٥)

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The metaphor of His Light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, its oil all but giving off light even if no fire touches it. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whoever He wills and Allah makes metaphors for mankind and Allah has knowledge of all things. (Quran, 24:35)
 

 خدا آسمانوں اور زمین کا نور ہے۔ اس کے نور کی مثال ایسی ہے کہ گویا ایک طاق ہے جس میں چراغ ہے۔ اور چراغ ایک قندیل میں ہے۔ اور قندیل (ایسی صاف شفاف ہے کہ) گویا موتی کا سا چمکتا ہوا تارہ ہے اس میں ایک مبارک درخت کا تیل جلایا جاتا ہے (یعنی) زیتون کہ نہ مشرق کی طرف ہے نہ مغرب کی طرف۔ (ایسا معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ) اس کا تیل خواہ آگ اسے نہ بھی چھوئے جلنے کو تیار ہے (پڑی) روشنی پر روشنی (ہو رہی ہے) خدا اپنے نور سے جس کو چاہتا ہے سیدھی راہ دکھاتا ہے۔ اور خدا نے (جو مثالیں) بیان فرماتا ہے (تو) لوگوں کے (سمجھانے کے) لئے اور خدا ہر چیز سے واقف ہے (۳۵)
 

The expression "mubarakatin zaytoonatin" in the above verse describes the olive as being "plentiful, sacred, auspicious, providing countless blessings." Olive oil, referred to in the term "zaytuha," is known as one of the most highly recommended types of oil by all experts, especially for coronary and arterial health. Its health benefits may be summarised as follows:
 

Benefits for Coronary and Arterial Health:
Most of the fatty acids in olives and olive oil are mono-unsaturated. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids do not contain cholesterol. Therefore, olive oil does not raise cholesterol levels but instead keeps them under control. Olive oil also contains omega-6 linoleic acid (EFA: essential fatty acid), which is essential for the human body. Due to this feature, health-related bodies (such as The World Health Organization) recommend that at least 30% of the fatty acid consumed in societies in which hardened artery and diabetes levels are high should consist of omega-6. This increases the importance of the olive still further.Scientific Encyclopedia, 207

 

Studies in this area have revealed much lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and higher antioxidant levels in people who consume 25 millilitres (about two dessertspoonfuls) of natural olive oil a day for one week. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2002, 56: 114-120

 

Antioxidants are important as they neutralise the harmful substances in the body known as free radicals and prevent cell damage. It has also been established in a great many studies that the consumption of olive oil reduces cholesterol levels and prevents heart disease. Archives of Internal Medicine 1998; 158: 1181-1187

Olive oil is also recommended for patients with heart and artery disease since it reduces the level of harmful cholesterol (LDL) in the bloodstream and raises that of useful cholesterol (HDL).
Keys A, Menotti A, Karvonen MJ et al., “The diet and 15-year death rate in the Seven Countries Study,” Am J Epidemiol 124: 903-915 (1986); Willett WC, “Diet and coronary heart disease,” Monographs in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 15: 341-379 (1990); World Health Organization, “Diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic diseases,” Report of a WHO Study Group. WHO Technical Report Series 797, Geneva 1990

 

In countries with high occurrences of heart and artery diseases, saturated fats with high cholesterol content are generally consumed.

In addition, olive oil does not disrupt the proportion of omega-6 to that of omega-3. It is very important that omega-3 and omega-6 be present in the body at specific levels because any imbalance in these proportions can lead to progression in many diseases, especially those of the heart and immune system and cancer.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

 

For all these reasons, many people enjoy good health thanks to olive oil. The American Heart Association suggests that in order to reduce the risk of heart disease high mono-unsaturated fats can be an alternative to a 30% reduced fat diet. Journal of the American Heart Association, September 1999

 

Cancer Prevention

One study, published by The Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that women who consume high levels of mono-unsaturated fat have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Archives of Internal Medicine 1998; 158: 41-45

 

Another study by scientists at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York demonstrated that b-sitosterol, a fat found in vegetable oils such as olive oil, helps prevent the formation of prostate cancer cells. The researchers concluded that b-sitosterol strengthens the internal communication system of the cell that issues the command for the cells to divide and that cancer can thus be prevented before cell division reaches an uncontrollable level.

A recent study by doctors at the University of Oxford has shown that olive oil has a protective effect against intestinal cancer. The doctors discovered that olive oil enters into a reaction with stomach acid in order to prevent intestinal cancer from beginning. At the same time, the University of Oxford researchers also established that olive oil reduces the level of bile and raises that of DAO (the enzyme diamine oxidase), thus protecting against abnormal cell growth and cancer. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999; 70: 1077-1082.

 

Prevention of Arthritis

According to researchers' reports, people who consume large quantities of olive oil and cooked vegetables can have a reduced risk of rheumatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints.

Olive Oil Assists Bone Development

The vitamins E, A, D and K contained in olive oil are particularly important from the point of view of assisting bone development in adults and children, and in strengthening the bones by fixing calcium. It is also recommended for the elderly as it is easily digested and through its minerals, it assists with the use of vitamins in the body. It also prevents calcium loss by stimulating bone mineralization. Bones are the organism's mineral structure storehouses and an absence of mineral accumulation in the bones can lead to serious complications such as bone softening. Olive oil has a most beneficial effect on the skeleton in this regard.

Prevention of Aging

Since the vitamins contained in olive oil have a cell renewing effect they are also employed in the treatment of the elderly, as well as nourishing and protecting the skin. As foodstuffs are transformed into energy in our bodies, certain substances known as oxidants are formed. With the high levels of anti-oxidants it contains, olive oil prevents damage by harmful substances, renews our cells and delays aging in the tissues and organs. Olive oil is also rich in vitamin E, which suppresses the free radicals that destroy the cells in our bodies and cause aging.

Contribution to Child Development

Due to the linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) contained in olives and olive oil, these are a most healthy food for newborn babies and growing children. A deficiency in linoleic acid leads to the emergence of a retardation of development in babyhood and various skin disorders.

Olive oil contains anti-oxidant elements that prevent the destructive effects of harmful substances in our bodies, and fatty acids of great importance to human health. These support the hormones and assist in cell membrane formation.

Olive oil possesses a balanced polyunsaturated compound at a similar level to that in human milk. Olive oil is a sufficient source of these fatty acids, which cannot be obtained from the human body but which are of the most essential importance to it. These factors make olive oil very important for new-born babies.

Since it contributes to the natural development of the baby's brain and nervous system before and after birth, olive oil is the only oil recommended for mothers by experts. As well as containing similar levels of linoleic acid to those of mother's milk, when olive oil is added to fatless cow's milk, it becomes as natural a food source as mother's milk itself.

Blood Pressure Reduction

One study published in the 27 March 2000 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine once more stressed the beneficial effect of olive oil on high blood pressure. Medicines to reduce high blood pressure are also made from olive leaves.

Benefits for the Internal Organs

Whether consumed hot or cold, olive oil protects the stomach against diseases such as gastritis and ulcers by reducing gastric acid levels. Muammer Kayahan, "Saglikli Yasam ve Zeytinyagi," (Healthy Life and Olive Oil) Bilim Teknik Dergisi (Journal of Science and Technology), April 1995, 48

 

In addition to this, by activating the bile, it makes it perfect. It regulates the discharge of the gall bladder and reduces the risk of bile stone formation. Moreover, thanks to the chloride it contains, it also assists the functioning of the liver and thus helps the body eliminate waste products. In addition, it also has a beneficial effect on the brain arteries.

On account of all these properties, olive oil has attracted considerable expert attention in recent years.
The Olive Tree World, www.olivetree.eat-online.net/framehealth.htm .

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Invitation By نمائش مسجد نبوی

By the Grace of Almighty Allah, on 15th April 2017, I was invited in Saudi Arab as Guest of Honor by “The Holy Quran Exhibition” and “Asma-ul-Husna Exhibition”, both Exhibitions are located at Masjid-e-Nabwi (PBUH) Madinah Munawrah. The Official Urdu Facebook Page of نمائش مسجد نبوی  Published about my Visit and my introduction at https://web.facebook.com/Exhurdu/posts/1188045777985359?pnref=story

روضہِ رسولَ پاک ﷺ کی حاضری کے دوران میں نے پاکستان کے لئے نمائش قرآنِ مجید -  تحقیق و ترقی کا منصوبہ کا پلان تشکیل دیا ہے جہاں ایک عام آدمی ‘قرآن کے پیغام‘ کو سمجھنے کے لئیے داخل ہو گا۔ جہاں وہ تمام مضامین جن پراللہ نے انسان کو دعوتِ غوروفکر دی ہے وہ سب جدید سا ئنس اور قرآن پاک کی روشنی میں واضح کیے جائیں گے، خصوصی طور پر ہمیں دکھائی دینے والی کائنات میں اور خود نفسِ انسانی کے اندر پائے جانے والی اللہ کی تما م نشانیاں۔ یہ یقینی طور پرایک منفرد اور منطقی سوال وجواب کی نمائش ہو گی جو کہ انسان نے کبھی نہ دیکھی ہو اورجو زندگی بدلنے اور خیالات کوابھارنے میں مددگار ہو گی جو کہ تھری ڈی ماڈلنگ ،سیون ڈی ہولوگرام ٹیکنالوجی، آڈیو ویڈیو ملٹی میڈیا، تصاویر اور گرافکس، ٹچ سکرینز، انگریزی ارد و اور دوسری مختلف بین الاقوامی او ر علاقائی زبانوں میں وضاحت ، کیو آر لوگو سکین سمارٹ فونز پہ نمائش کی معلومات کو کھولنے اور شیئر کرنے کے لیئے۔ یہ نمائش اسلام کی روح کے عین مطابق اپنے حدف کو حاصل کرے گی جس کی تعلیمات سے تمام مسلمان اور غیر مسلمان اور ہمارے مستقبل میں آنے والی نسلیں سبھی فائدہ اٹھائیں گے ۔ انشا اللہ


 

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