Mahad al Zahra | Al Jamea tus Saifiyah

The Fig plant is one of the only five plants mentioned in the holy Quran, along with olives, grapes, pomegranate and dates. And Rasoolullah (sa) has held it in high reverence. This plant is one of the oldest plants known to mankind. It as high productivity and the fruit comes in different shapes and colours. The fig fruit is highly nutritious.

Ibn al qayim al joziyah in his book ‘attab un nabawi’ relates an incident when the Rasoolullah (sa) was presented with figs. He said to those present there, “Eat as I eat this fruit. If I would say there is a fruit that descended from the heavens, I would say it is the figs, because it is seedless like the fruits of heaven. Eat it as it cures many diseases among which piles is one.”

Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used it for its medicinal properties. The Greeks considered the fruit as holy. Socrates in his book ‘ The study of Plants’ has mentioned the many species of the plant. Plato was known for his high consumption of this fruit. This is what gave the fruit the title of “the philosopher’s friend”.

It is also mentioned in the Arabic literature very vastly. According to Ibn Seereen, Figs, if seen in dreams, denote wealth and prosperity. Figs along with its delicious taste and aroma, is a very nutritious fruit. One kg of the fruit gives 6.4 gms of protein, 98 gms of carbohydrate, 245 mgs of calcium, 145 mgs of phosphorous, along with iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflorin and niacin. It benefits the nervous system by its phosphorous content. It is recommended for athletes and children. It also cures the obese, asthma, and diabetic patients.

Ancient and modern medicine has benefited from the fruit. The pharaohs used it for treating stomachaches. Ibn sina, ibn razi, Dawood antaki and others Arab scholars used it to treat constipation, liver problems, urinary problems, heartburns, chest pains and epilepsy. It benefits the pregnant and nursing women, helps in reducing acidity, rheumatism and helps the brain. Its ashes, when taken with oil, treats pimples, skin pigmentation and whiten teeth. For treating wounds it is used in a preparation made with hot milk. The leaves and the branches of the plant also have medicinal values.

Fig fruit is used widely for the treatment of cancer. Dr. Kochi (Japan), who specializes in using figs for its medical value, has treated some twenty kinds of cancer from it. With little or no side effects and high success rate it is becoming the preferred way to treat cancer. It is thus a truly blessed fruit, beneficial to the mankind.