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Cont’d from page 2
But essentially, there’s a process of fermentation which takes place in the rumen, or first chamber, of a cow’s stomach. All kinds of nutrients are absorbed into the rumen from blood vessels. So it is truly from the midst of digested food and blood.
Milk is considered by many as one of nature’s most nearly perfect foods, and it comes in so many wonderful forms—cheese, butter, cottage cheese, ice cream and more. Milk is the best source of calcium for our body, and calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Having enough calcium helps prevent bone loss, arthritis, and migraine headaches. Plus milk contains other vitamins, minerals and amino acids to help keep us healthy, fit, and strong. Milk is also good for the skin, both inside and out. Cleopatra used to take a milk bath daily! And, as God says, it’s delicious for the drinkers.
[16:67] And from the fruits of date palms and grapes you produce intoxicants, as well as good provisions. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who understand.
Why dates and grapes? We know that this world is full of healthy and delicious foods. God doesn’t mention oranges or spinach. And we know that humans have misused grapes to make wine. Satan has even tricked scientists into saying a glass of wine every day is good for your health. But in truth it’s the grape that’s so good for our health.
There are huge health benefits from grapes. They treat constipation, indigestion, fatigue, kidney disorders, macular degeneration and cataracts. Grapes contain many vitamins and minerals, plus a high concentration of antioxidants. This has been shown to inhibit the growth of some cancers, reverse coronary heart disease and high blood pressure, and slow the aging process.
And what about dates? This fruit contains a concentration of natural fibers; it’s rich in many vitamins and minerals, like calcium,
iron, potassium and magnesium. Like grapes, dates help fight many intestinal problems, including both constipation and diarrhea, and abdominal cancer. They are among the best nourishment for muscle development. It’s said that taking one date a day will help you maintain your healthy eyes for your lifetime.
Many use dates to break their fast during Ramadan. It helps avoid overeating. And they’re delicious. So many benefits from both grapes and dates, and they taste so much better than a multi-vitamin! God’s gift. (23:19, 16:11, 78:32, 36:34)
[16:68] And your Lord inspired the bee: build homes in mountains and trees, and in (the hives) they build for you.
[16:69] Then eat from all the fruits, following the design of your Lord, precisely. From their bellies comes a drink of different colors, wherein there is healing for the people. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who reflect.
And then we come to the bee, the title of Sura 16. First of all, as God instructed, wild bees build their hives in rocks or trees. Any cave or rock cavity or hollow in a tree provides a perfect nesting site. Around the entrance, the bees will smooth the bark or coat the rock with a plant resin. Then the bees spend their short lives coming and going to find flowers. (See Submitters Perspective Mar. 1993, Nov. 1993, Sep. 2004)
And from the nectar in those flowers, bees produce honey. Only bees produce honey; man’s attempts to duplicate the flavor and texture of honey have fallen way short. God designed the bee, gave her special enzymes for converting the nectar, and “inspired” her on how it is done. The result is a food that is sweet and delicious and has amazing health benefits. It’s a natural energy booster, no need for a Red Bull! And its healing properties are well known. It can be used to treat cuts and burns as an external ointment because it absorbs moisture from the air and speeds healing. It can also help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation. It soothes a sore throat and is gentle on the stomach for intestinal ailments. Milk and honey is a natural sleep aid to calm and relax you. Like all of the foods mentioned
in this section, honey is chocked full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
God put these verses together in Sura 16. Science has caught up and agrees with the Quran. Water, milk, dates, grapes, and honey—these are beautiful provisions from God, with huge health benefits and great taste. We need to be among the people who “hear,” “understand,” and “reflect” on these proofs from God.
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As I was taking my morning walk just before sunrise, I enjoyed a most wondrous experience. The sun wasn’t yet up over the Rincon Mountains, but its rays were shooting into the air. And just above the mountains, they illuminated a single tiny cloud. I looked all around the sky and it was absolutely the only cloud anywhere in the sky. I watched the little puff for a minute, then turned away for no more than 15 seconds, perhaps less. When I looked again at “my” cloud, it was at least ten times its size. It was huge—still small compared to the whole sky, but immense compared to what it had been only a few seconds before. As I watched it, it broke apart and began to look like a medieval dragon symbol or a lace pattern. It was beautiful. I kept my eyes on it as it now began to disintegrate, and right before my eyes it got smaller and smaller until it was gone. Completely gone.
I am sure scientists can tell me why one tiny cloud forms in an otherwise cloudless sky, and why that cloud suddenly grows, breaks apart and disappears. But I’m not sure I even want to know. For me, it was a chance to appreciate the creations of God, the miracles He makes happen all the time. So I cherish the image of “my” cloud from the first tiny puff, to the lacy design, to it vanishing right before my eyes, and I thank God for the lovely experience.
[2:164] In the creation of the heavens and the earth… and the clouds that are placed between the sky and the earth, there are sufficient proofs for people who understand.