fouta.MOUNTAIN RAW HONEY

A SPACE FOR REFLECTION

Honey in the
Qur’an & Sunnah

Honey holds a special place in Islamic tradition. The Qur’an invites us to reflect on bees and the honey they produce, while authentic narrations describe the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ appreciation of honey.

The Qur’an passagesThe hadith accounts

THE QUR’AN

Bees, honey,
and reflection.

COMPLETE VERSES · 16:68–69

Surah An-Nahl — The Bee

These verses describe bees making homes in mountains, trees, and structures, and producing a drink of different colors in which there is healing for people.

وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًۭا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ ٦٨

English translation of the meaning · Marmaduke Pickthall (1930)

And thy Lord inspired the bee, saying: Choose thou habitations in the hills and in the trees and in that which they thatch;

Qur’an 16:68 · Arabic source: Quran.com · Pickthall translation

ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًۭا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌۭ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌۭ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٦٩

English translation of the meaning · Marmaduke Pickthall (1930)

Then eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of thy Lord, made smooth (for thee). There cometh forth from their bellies a drink divers of hues, wherein is healing for mankind. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect.

Qur’an 16:69 · Arabic source: Quran.com · Pickthall translation

EXCERPT · 47:15

Surah Muhammad — Blessings of Paradise

This verse describes the blessings of Paradise promised to the righteous, including rivers of purified honey.

وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ عَسَلٍ مُصَفًّى

“And rivers of purified honey.”

Excerpt from Qur’an 47:15 · independently worded English rendering of the excerpt’s meaning

Read the complete verse on Quran.com

AUTHENTIC HADITH ACCOUNTS

Honey in the
Prophetic tradition.

The following are independently written summaries of narrations in Sahih al-Bukhari. They are not direct quotations.

The Prophet’s ﷺ love of honey

Narrator: Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her.

SUMMARY · NOT A DIRECT QUOTATION

Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ loved sweet foods and honey.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5431

Read the original narration

Honey mentioned among means of healing

Narrator: Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him.

SUMMARY · NOT A DIRECT QUOTATION

The Prophet ﷺ mentioned drinking honey among three means of healing. The narration also mentions cupping and cauterization, and includes his prohibition of cauterization for his followers.

Presented as religious history, without instructions for medical procedures.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5681

Read the original narration

The account of honey for an abdominal complaint

Narrator: Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him.

SUMMARY · NOT A DIRECT QUOTATION

A man sought the Prophet’s ﷺ advice concerning his brother’s abdominal complaint. The Prophet ﷺ instructed him to give his brother honey, and the narration reports his eventual recovery.

A specific historical account, rather than a treatment promise for customers.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5684

Read the original narration

About the text and translations

The complete Arabic verses were checked against Quran.com. The two short Arabic excerpts are shown in standard fully vocalized spelling and clearly labeled as excerpts.

The full English meanings of Qur’an 16:68–69 reproduce Marmaduke Pickthall’s 1930 translation, a public-domain work. The short English excerpt renderings and hadith summaries are independently worded for this page.

The French and Arabic interface text and summaries are independently written adaptations. Published English verse translations remain in English in every language view.

Pickthall 1930 edition & public-domain recordQur’an 16:68–69Qur’an 47:15