It was narrated that 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "The Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, used to eat melon with fresh dates." (Narrated by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, who classed it as saheeh)
Abu Dawood added, and he used to say: "We break the heat of this with the coolness of this." (Its isnad is saheeh)
It was narrated that Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, would hold fresh dates in his right hand and a piece of melon in his left, and he would eat the fresh dates with the melon, and it was the dearest of fruit to him." (Al-Tabarani in Al-Awsat; Al-Hakim; Abu Na'eem in Al-Tibb. There is some weakness in it)
Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, "What is meant by melon is the green one, which passes through the stomach more quickly than Egyptian cucumbers and (regular) cucumbers, and it is easily digested. It should be eaten before food. Some doctors said concerning it: eating melon before food cleans the stomach and takes away disease completely."
Al-Baghdadi said, "The green one is cool and moist, and the yellow one is more inclined to be hot, but they both promote urination and are quickly digested. If you rub it on your face it takes away freckles, especially the seeds. It dissolves stones in the kidney and bladder. Eating too much of it after food causes indigestion, hence it should be eaten after sufficient time has passed since eating food."
Melon is a summer annual plant that grows on the surface of the ground; it is a member of the squash family. It was first cultivated in Egypt and India, where it is mentioned in the medical books of the Ayurveda. From there it was brought to the Mediterranean region. It is one of the most important summer fruits because it contains a high ratio of water (90-93 percent). It quenches thirst and hydrates the body.
Green melon contains sugar (6-9 percent). It is rich in vitamin C, and is low in vitamin A and nicotinic acid. It contains good levels of minerals, especially phosphates, chlorine, sulfur, and sodium. Because it is rich in potassium it has a well-known diuretic effect.
The American nutritionist, Ensley, states that melon juice protects against typhoid and is beneficial to those affected by joint disease (rheumatism).
Melon seeds are also of a high nutritional value. They contain fats (43 percent), protein (27 percent) and sugars (15 percent). They are used as a laxative and to revive strength. They are eaten roasted with other nuts.
As for the yellow melon, it is rich in vitamins and proteins. It contains protein (0.7 percent), fat (0.2 percent) and sugar (6 percent). It contains vitamin C and B2, and minerals such as sulfur, phosphates, iron, copper, sodium, potash, calcium and manganese. Hence, it is very nutritious and wards off hunger. The best kind is that which has a rough skin, is heavy and has clear grooves.
Yellow melon, like green melon, is hydrating and quenches thirst, and it surpasses it in healing characteristics. It is a good remedy for constipation, if eaten on an empty stomach. If slices of it are placed on wrinkled skin, they will make it smooth and soft. It is also useful for treating skin infections. It is not advised for those with stomach or intestinal infections to consume it, because it is not digested easily. Its juice will clear the skin from freckles.
Melon and cancer
A study that was published recently discovered that melon is effective in fighting cancerous tumors, exactly like tomatoes, because it contains natural antioxidants which counteract the effects of harmful particles and prevent benign cells from turning into malignant cells.
The researchers explained that the antioxidant lycopene, which is found in tomatoes, pink grapefruit and guava, and which gives them their red color, is also found in melons.
After studying 23 men and women, they found that levels of lycopene in the blood were as high in the volunteers who drank 3 cups of melon juice as they were in those who drank a cup of tomato juice. Increased consumption of melons increased the levels of lycopene just as tomato juice that is processed into paste does. Experts in Nutrition magazine suggest that drinking 2 to 3 cups of melon juice gives 20 mg of lycopene. Because fats increase absorption of this substance, it is advised to eat some fats with melon, or to eat it immediately after a fatty meal. They point out that the redder the melon is, the better it is for health. And Allah knows best.
(Al-Tibb An-Nabawi; Al-Baghdadi in Al-Tibb An-Nabawi Was-Sunnah, ed. by Al-Qal'aji, 1988; Ahmad Ibn Yoosuf Al-Tifashi, in Al-Shifa' Fil-Tibb, ed. by Al-Qal'aji, 1988; Dr. Sabri Al-Qabbani, in Al-Ghidha' la Ad-Dawa', Beirut 1992; Ahmad Qudamah, in Qamoos Al-Ghidha' Wal-Tadawi Bil-Nabat, Beirut 1982; Dr. Muhammad Badr Ad-Deen Zaytooni, in Al-Tibb Al-Sha'bi Wal-Tadawi Bil-A'shab, Damascus, 1990)
("Islamic Medicine: The Key to a Better Life". Yusuf Al-Hajj Ahmad. Darussalam Publishers, 2010,
www.darussalampk.com)
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