Honey has got an immense importance in Islamic cultures because of its health benefits presented in the Holy book, Qur’an, and in the sayings of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The food is regarded as a source of prevention and treatment to innumerable diseases and thus is widely used among Muslims.
I have often heard debates about the signs and symptoms of honey being impure. People have doubts about whether the product they are receiving is the pure natural honey or has some contamination and artificiality in it, and they are eager to learn the methods to clear their doubts. I am not sure whether or not the commonly known methods are valid, because myths are easy to spread.
Nevertheless, there is something alarming that I found out about honey through the book “Tib-e-Nabawi aur Jadeed Science” (translation. Prophetic Medicine and Modern Science) by Dr. Khalid Ghaznavi. Describing the chemical composition of natural honey, the author tells that there are the types of pure honey that lack the original nutritional value.
The reason is that the chemical composition of the product depends on the type of nectar bees collect. The honey produced by the bees collecting nectar in the natural environment via various sources contains a variety of beneficial components in it.
On the other hand, the bees that are retained in the farm have no choice but to collect the nectar of whatever plant is provided to them by the owner.
It has been observed that the sources of nectar provided in many farms are monotonous and of low quality. Consequently, the honey that we get is not beneficial in its nutritional value, although it is 100% pure without any contamination of artificial ingredients.
Hats off to farming practices and scientific interventions that are putting their efforts to provide ample food on macro level neglecting the needs and well-being of micro. With these practices we are able to produce food to fill our bellies but the cells are deprived of the healthy balance of nutrition they need. Consequently adding nothing but deprivation to the over all well-being of individuals and by extension on societies.
The negative effects of farming practices are not limited to a few food products but spread to nearly all kind of food we consume. Using scientific techniques in live-stock farming to increase meat and milk production have found to be affecting the health of people in multiple ways. The utilization of products by hormone injected animals are becoming a reason of early puberty, disruptive fetal development, breast, vaginal, cervical and prostate cancer, hypothyroidism, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and infertility. (Source)
The above mentioned adverse effect of scientific intervention are not merely delivered by live-stock farming but flora farming is becoming a cause of similar kind of negative effects on our health (source)
It is a common statement I often hear from elders that ailments have increased a lot during last two decades. This claim cannot be challenged as we hardly find a person who is not suffering from certain medical condition.
In fact, during the last two years, I have come across several ladies who are suffering from hypothyroidism. It is like every fourth woman I know has the problem. It is alarming and studies have found the relationship between chemical induced food and the ailment.
This is the high time for the world to contemplate on the practices we are adopting on the name of scientific advancement.
I believe the scarcity of food is not about insufficient production but about inefficient distribution and waste. Instead of producing more food, we need to shift our focus to increase accessibility and reduce waste. Additionally, instead of being swayed by the marketing-driven dietary trends, a more beneficial approach lies in adopting a lifestyle centred on simple, natural and mindful consumption.
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The post is my participation for Hl-featured contest week 15 edition 2
