Nabeez also known as Nabidh or Nabeedh is said to be the favourite drink of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Generally made with dates and raisins, the nabeez drink has multiple health benefits and since it was the Prophet’s one of the favourite drinks, consuming it is considered a Sunnah.
Before we dive into the details about the Nabeez drink benefits and preparations of the drink it is important to understand what exactly is the nabeez drink, its historic and religious significance. The blog also contains important instructions on how to prepare and consume Nabeez.
What is the Nabeez Drink?
It is a Prophetic drink, regularly consumed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Nabeez is still a popular drink consumed regularly in the Arabian Peninsula. It can be easily prepared by soaking dates, raisins or figs overnight in water. An important point to note is that dates, raisins and figs should not be mixed in the same water. Prepare Nabeez with only one ingredient in the water at a time.
The Nabeez drink is fit for daily consumption and is especially useful during Ramadan when Muslims globally are fasting from sunrise to sunset. Nabeez is a nutrient-dense drink that provides essential minerals and vitamins to help deal with the effects of long hours of fasting.
Mentions of Nabeez in Hadith
Nabeez has been mentioned multiple times in several Hadiths. These mentions talk about the preparation and consumption of the drink by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“Ibn ‘Abbas reported that Nabidh was prepared for Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) in the beginning of the night and he would drink it in the morning and the following night and the following day and the night after that up to the afternoon. If anything was left out of that he gave it to his servant, or gave orders for it to be poured out.”
(Sahih Muslim 4971)
Another mention of the Nabeez in Hadith is discussed by Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA):
“We were with the Prophet (PBUH). He asked for something to drink. One of the companions asked: O Prophet of Allah, shall we not give you Nabeez to drink? The Prophet (PBUH) said yes, why not! This companion left quickly and came back with a cup of Nabeez. The Prophet (PBUH) said, why didn’t you cover the cup even though it may have been with a stick. Thereafter he drank from it.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Nabeez Drink Benefits for Overall Health
The Nabeez is freshly prepared with natural ingredients such as dates, raisins and figs by soaking them overnight in water. These ingredients release minerals and vitamins that are mixed with the water making it a tremendously healthy drink. Listed below are some of the important Nabeez drink benefits.
- Nabeez is an alkaline in nature so it proves quite effective in detoxifying and removing acidity from the stomach and digestive system.
- It contains high levels of soluble fiber so it is pretty effective in aiding digestion.
- Medical research has shown that alkaline-rich foods help in improving bone mineral density and muscle mass.
- Another health benefit of the Nabeez drink is lowered instances of heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and other similar chronic illnesses.
- Patients suffering from arthritis and increased levels of uric acid can also turn to Nabeez for relief.
- It is useful for controlling blood sugar level.
- Nabeez drink is rich in antioxidants which helps in improving and maintaining overall good health.
- While there are many tremendous health benefits of Nabeez, none more so than being able to follow the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
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Ingredients Required For Nabeez Drink
The steps of preparing Nabeez are pretty straightforward. Even the Nabeez ingredients are not a lot. All you need to make the drink is a pitcher of water and some deseeded dates or raisins, whichever you prefer.
Traditionally, Nabeez is made with dates, more specifically Ajwa dates as they were the Prophet’s favourite. But people are free to choose from various options of fresh or dried fruits. A popular option for Nabeez drink apart from dates and raisins is fig. It has a long history of being used in traditional medicine and has a lot of health benefits.
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How to Make Traditional Nabeez Drink
The Nabeez drink recipe includes soaking the deseeded dates in water overnight. The ratio of dates to water can change depending on your preference but usually, a litre of water can be used to soak 20-25 dates.
Soak the dates in the water for 12 hours at either room temperature or refrigerate it for a cold refreshing drink. The strained drink can be stored in an airtight container inside the fridge for 2-3 days.
Precautions While Preparing Nabeez Drink
An important point to remember is to not soak the dates for too long or else they will start to ferment which is the beginning process of making alcohol.
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Conclusion
Nabeez is not only a refreshing drink but a very important part of Islamic tradition that unites spiritual and health benefits. Following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) one can prepare this easy and at the same time full-of-nutrient drink.
From aiding digestion to playing a role in detoxifying the body, to delivering some very essential minerals and vitamins, it is the host of health benefits that makes Nabeez a useful addition to our daily routine, especially during Ramadan.
Preparing and consuming Nabeez is a traditional practice that has stood the test of time and has remained an important part of our daily lives to this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Nabeez drink?
A. It is a simple yet nutrient-dense drink made by soaking pitted dates in some water preferably overnight. It is said to be the favourite drink of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Q. Is Nabeez good for diabetes?
A. Nabeez, also known as Nabidh, is a drink containing many health benefits. It has a direct effect that helps in controlling blood sugar levels among numerous health benefits.
Q. Is Nabeez religiously significant?
A. We are following the sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by preparing and consuming the Nabeez drink.
Q. How long does it take to prepare Nabeez?
A. The dates should ideally be soaked for not more than 12 hours to avoid fermentation where it starts producing alcohol. So to answer the question, it takes anywhere between 6-12 hours to prepare the Nabeez drink.
Q. When to drink Nabeez?
A. It can be consumed at any time of the day throughout the year but its best use case is during iftar and Suhur in Ramadan.