Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillahir- Rahmanir-Rahim
1. Preface
Medically, modern science—through researchers in Britain—has proven that olive oil contains oleocanthal compounds and very high levels of polyphenol antioxidants. These substances react positively with stomach acid to prevent the formation of cancer cells, especially colon cancer. While modern society suffers from various diseases due to diets high in meat and processed foods, the Middle Eastern diet rich in vegetables and olive oil has been shown to provide natural protection for the body.Let us reflect on the shari‘ah foundation regarding the virtue of the olive
:A. Qur’anic Evidence: Allah’s Oath by the Olive
وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ
“By the fig and the olive.” (QS. At-Tin: 1)
B. Hadith Evidence: The Command to Consume Olive Oil
كُلُوا الزَّيْتَ وَادَّهِنُوا بِهِ، فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ شَجَرَة مُبَارَكَةٍ
“Eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for indeed it comes from a blessed tree.” (HR. At-Tirmidhi)
2. Explanation
My brothers and sisters whom Allah has blessed,The olive is a special plant. Imagine, olive oil in our body is like “high-quality lubricant” in an engine. Our body is the engine of life. If we constantly put dirty fuel—unhealthy food—into it, this engine will quickly wear out, rust, and break down. But if we routinely provide the “lubricant” of olive oil, stomach acid will be controlled and cholesterol buildup will be swept clean.There is a moving story from a brother of ours in America. After thirty years there, he observed that people in Middle Eastern villages—considered “poor” materially—actually had far better health than wealthy people in developed countries. Why? Because they remained faithful to the simplicity of nature, especially the olive tree. How ironic: those who are very wealthy suffer eight times higher disease risk due to excessive diets and abandoning what God has provided on their land.Sometimes, our behavior is quite amusing. We prefer to wait in long lines and pay dearly for imported health supplements in fancy packaging, while the bottle of olive oil in the kitchen just sits as decoration until it gathers dust. We trust television ads more than the prescription from our Noble Prophet SAW, which has been tested for thousands of years. Let us not wait until we search for olive oil only after the doctor has given us a stern warning.
3. Lessons and Message
From the explanation above, there are several moral messages we can draw:Return to Nature: Allah never created anything in vain. If Allah swears by a plant, it is a sign for us to wisely return to utilizing what nature provides. The Trust of the Body: Maintaining health is a form of gratitude. The body is a trust from the Creator, and consuming blessed foods like olives is how we safeguard that trust. Simplicity is Strength: Healthy living does not have to be expensive. A simple diet that relies on plant protein and vegetables is the key to longevity and physical blessing.
4. Conclusion
In closing, let us make olive oil part of a healthy lifestyle in our homes. The olive is not merely a medicine to prevent cancer or protect the heart; it is a form of our obedience to the guidance of Allah and His Messenger.Remember that health is a crown worn by the healthy, but that crown can only be seen by those who are bedridden with illness. So guard that crown before it is taken from us. May Allah SWT always grant us health of body and soul through the blessings of what He has grown on this earth.
والله أعلم بالصواب
الحمد لله رب العالمين
Abu Sultan Al-Qadrie
