Author: Dr. Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 80)
Edible Plants in the Balance of the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and Medical Science
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Yaqtin (Pumpkin): A Prophetic Food and a Natural Remedy
Yaqṭīn, or pumpkin, is among the plants that are explicitly mentioned in the Noble Qur’an. Allah the Almighty says in the story of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him): وَأَنبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةً مِّن يَقْطِينٍ Translation: “And We caused a plant of pumpkin to grow over him.” [1]
The commentators have stated that what is meant by this verse is that Allah caused the pumpkin plant to grow for Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) after he emerged from the belly of the fish—a plant that provided shade, nourishment, and healing benefits at the same time.
In the Prophetic Sunnah, the special fondness of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) for pumpkin has been clearly reported. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: “A tailor invited the Prophet (peace be upon him) to a meal he had prepared. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I went with the Prophet (peace be upon him). The tailor served bread and soup containing pumpkin and meat. I noticed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would look for the pieces of pumpkin in the dish and eat them. From that day onward, I have always loved pumpkin.”[2]
It is also reported that whenever Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) ate pumpkin, he would say: يَا لَكَ شَجَرَةً مَا أُحِبُّكِ إِلَّا لِحُبِّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِيَّاكِ Translation: “O plant! I love you only because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) loved you.”[3]
Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him), in his commentary on this verse, enumerates several benefits of pumpkin and writes: «وذكر بعضهم في القرع فوائد منها سرعة نباته وتظليل ورقه لكبره ونعومته وأنه لا يقربها الذباب وجودة تغذية ثمره، وأنه يؤكل نيئًا ومطبوخًا بلبه وقشره أيضًا، وقد ثبت أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يحب الدباء ويتتبعه من نواحي الصحفة.»[4] Translation: Some scholars have mentioned benefits of pumpkin (qar‘/dubba’), including its rapid growth, the good shade provided by its large and soft leaves, the fact that flies do not approach it, and the excellent nutritional value of its fruit. It can be eaten both raw and cooked, including its flesh and its peel. It is also established that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) loved pumpkin and would seek it out from the sides of the dish.
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), in Zad al-Ma‘ad, describes pumpkin as a plant with a cold and moist temperament and writes:
“Yaqṭīn (pumpkin), according to traditional medicine, has a cold and moist nature. Its nutritional value is light yet subtle. It is quickly digested, and if it does not spoil before digestion, it produces good and wholesome humors in the body. This plant contains a delicate, watery substance and provides moist, phlegm-producing nourishment. Therefore, it is beneficial for people of hot temperament, but less suitable for those of cold temperament or those dominated by phlegm.”
Pumpkin juice quenches thirst, and if drunk or if the head is washed with it, it alleviates headaches caused by excess heat. Pumpkin, in whatever form it is consumed, softens the bowels and is considered one of the fastest-acting remedies for people of hot temperament.
Among its therapeutic benefits are the following:
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If pumpkin is covered with dough and baked in an oven or tandoor, then its juice is extracted and consumed with light drinks, it reduces the intensity of severe fevers, quenches thirst, and provides suitable nourishment.
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If its juice is taken with taranjabin and quince jam, it purges bile (ṣafrā’) in a pure manner.
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If cooked pumpkin juice is taken with a little honey and a small amount of natrun (a natural alkaline substance), it expels both phlegm and bile simultaneously.
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If mashed pumpkin is applied as a poultice to the crown of the head (fontanelle), it is beneficial for hot inflammations of the brain.
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If the sap of its stems is extracted, mixed with rose oil, and a few drops are placed in the ear, it treats hot inflammations of the ear. Its stems are also beneficial for hot inflammations of the eyes and for gout (inflammatory joint swelling).
Pumpkin is highly beneficial for people with hot temperaments and for those suffering from fever. However, if it encounters corrupt humors in the stomach, it may itself spoil and produce undesirable humors in the body. To counteract this harm, it is recommended to consume it with vinegar or murrī (a sour condiment).[5]
«وبالجملة فهو من ألطف الأغذية، وأسرعها انفعالًا، ويذكر عن أنس رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يكثر من أكله.» Translation: “In summary, pumpkin is among the most delicate of foods and the fastest in effect. It is also reported from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) frequently consumed it.”[6]
Modern medicine also confirms these findings. Pumpkin is rich in natural sugars, vitamins A and B, iron, calcium, active compounds such as cucurbitacin, and amino acids like leucine. It possesses calming, digestive, moisturizing, laxative, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory properties, and is considered effective in treating digestive, urinary, and cardiac disorders, diabetes, insomnia, constipation, hemorrhoids, and general weakness.
A fundamental principle in medicine states: “The best medicine is that which is food, and the best food is that which is medicine.”
Pumpkin is a clear example of this principle.
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Al-Saffat: 146.
[2]. Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Sales, Chapter: Mention of the Tailor, Hadith no. 1986, vol. 2, p. 737.
[3]. Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Food from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Chapter on Eating Pumpkin, Hadith no. 1849, vol. 4, p. 284.
[4]. Tafsir Ibn Kathir, al-‘Ilmiyyah ed., 7/36.
[5]. A type of stew or condiment regarded by physicians as one of the ancient remedies.
[6]. Zad al-Ma‘ad, al-Risalah (second ed.), 4/371.
