Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive Oil ( زيتون )

Excellent treatment for skin and hair, delays old age, and treats inflammation of the stomach -- Tib Al-Nabwi

In Quran, olive is mentioned 7 times (6 times directly mentioned by the name of Zaitun & 1 time in chapter Mu-minun in indirect reference as “A tree springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil & benefits to those who use it as food.

Amongst the 6 direct reference in Quran, 2 times it is mentioned alone & 4 times with other fruits like Dates, Pomegranate, Grapes & figs.

Olive in Hadith

Abu Aseed said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Eat the oil and use it on your hair and skin, for it comes from a blessed tree.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 1775; see also Saheeh al-Jaami


Hazrat Sayyed Al-Ansari(ra) narrates that Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said “Eat the olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is from a blessed (mubarak) tree.” (Tirmizi, Ibn Maja)

Ibn Umar radiallahu anhu narrated that the Prophet salallahu alahi wasallam said:“ Dabble (edibles) in olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it is extracted from a blessed tree.” In another divine narration, narrated by Ibn Usayed radiallahu anhu said that the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam said: “Eat and anoint yourselves with olive oil, for it is extracted from a blessed tree.” (Ibn Majah) 

In line with the above Ahadith, recent scientific researches approved that this edible oil has many protective advantages from the disease– arteriosclerosis (or atheroma) patchy thickening of the lining of arteries. Herein, the Prophet of all Mankind did advice man to orally take olive oil fourteen centuries ago.

Why did he do so? The answer is that olive oil as has been recently confirmed scientifically contains chemical materials, which prevent the occurrence of blood clot in arteries (coronary thrombosis). While this chemical material further increases the ratio of the desired cholesterol of high density namely HDL, it prevents the other type of dangerous cholesterol from being clotted in the blood. 

More over, physicians in Milan Hospital, Italy, prescribe olive oil as part of the medication given to those patients who underwent a heart surgery in arteries. Patients of artery problems are given four to five spoonfuls daily. 

In his study published by the American Medical Magazine, 1986, Dr. Girandy, a professor in Texas University, USA, stated that olive oil decreases cholesterol by 13% and the fatty proteins by 21%. He, therefore, advises Americans to take olive oil instead of other oils in order to prevent themselves from and avoid artery diseases. (Extracts from the Prophetic Medicine)

Reference: Tihmaz, Abdulhameed Mahmoud. The Forty Scientific Miracles. Dar Al-Qalem.

Olive and its tree has been mentioned a number of times both in the Quran and hadith. Olive is considered a “blessed” fruit in Islam and besides it being a good source of nutrition, it is also used as a health food and used in “ruqyah treatment.” In his books on prophetic medicine, Ibn Al-Qayyim encouraged the use of olives and its oil.

“And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters.” [Surah al-Muminoon 23:20].

Benefits & Merits of Olive oil: -                                                                                                                              

1. Hazrat Umar Bin Khattab رضي الله عنه says that Rasool Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, “Use Zait (زيت) (Olive oil) in eating & massage the body with it, for it comes from a precious (مباركة) (blessed) tree.  : Reference Tirmizi: 1851; Book No. 25, Hadees No. 67; In English volume no. 3; Book 23, Hadees no 1851.

2. Hazrat Uqba Bin Ameer رضي الله عنه says that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said “For you Zaitoon blessed tree oil is present, treat by it (oil) so that it cures Basoor (الباسور).  : Reference Abu Nu-aim/al-tibbe Nabawi: 463.   (Basoor is a type of wound). 

3. Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه says that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said treat with Zait (زيت) (Olive oil), eat & massage with it (oil) because it is Mubarak (مباركة) (blessed) tree.   : Reference Ibn Ma-jah: 3444; Book no. 29; In English volume no. 4; Book 29, Hadees no 3319.

4. Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه says eat Zait (زيت) (Olive oil) & massage (with it) in it there is cure for 70 (سبعين) diseases, including Juzaam (الجذام) (leprosy) (kodh).  : Reference Abu Nu-aim/Al Zait: 684.

5. Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه   says that Rasool Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said Eat Zait (زيت) (Olive oil) & apply it (on body) because it is Mubarak (مباركة) (blessed).  : Reference Ibn Ma-jah: 3445; Book no. 29; In English volume no. 4; Book 29, Hadees no 3320.

6. Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said who massages with Zait (زيت) (olive oil) shaitaan (evil) do not comes near him.   : Reference Abu Nu-aim/Al Zait: 685.

7. Hazrat Zaid Bin Arqam رضي الله عنه   says that Rasool Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم advised, as a treatment for Zaatul Janb (الجنب ذات) (pleurisy), Warss (ورس), Qust (قسط), & Zait (زيت) (olive oil) & take it at one side of mouth (يُلَدُّ). : Reference Ibn Ma-jah: 3596; Book no. 31; In English volume no. 4 Book 31, Hadees no 3467. Please refer lesson no. 32 Warss & lesson no. 24 Qust learn about them.

8. Hazrat Zaid Bin Arqam رضي الله عنه   says that Rasool Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ordered us to use Qustul Bahri(القسط البحرى) (white coloured kustha) & Zait (زيت) (olive oil) for Zaatul Janb (ذات الجنب) (pleurisy).  : Reference Tirmizi: 2223; Book no. 28; In English volume no 4; Book no. 2; Hadees no. 2079. 

9. Qatadah narrated from Abu Abdullah that Zaid Bin Arqam رضي الله عنه said that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would acclaim olive oil ( الزَّيْتَ) and (الْوَرْسَ) Wars for (the treatment of) pleurisy." Qatadah said: "And it is put in the mouth on the side which he is suffering. "  : Reference Tirmizi: 2222; Book No. 28, In English volume no.4; Book 2, Hadees no 2078. 

10. Hazrat Khalid Ibn Saad رضي الله عنه   says that I & Ghalib Ibn Jabar رضي الله عنه   were travelling & Ghalib Ibn Jabar رضي الله عنه   fell ill, Than we came Madinah, Ibn Abi Ateeq رضي الله عنه   visited him, (because Ghalib Ibn Jabar was ill) Ibn Abi Ateeq رضي الله عنه   was nephew of Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها & advice to use 5 or 7 seeds of kalonji (الحبةالسوداء) crushed & mix in little olive oil (زيت) & put the preparation in both nostrils. Ibn Abi Ateeq رضي الله عنه   says that he heard Hazrat A’isha رضي الله عنها saying that Rasool Allahصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said that Habbat Sauda (الحبةالسوداء) (black seed) has cure for every diseases except death & Hazrat Galib Ibn Jabar رضي الله عنه   got well.  : Reference Ibn Ma-jah: 3575; Book no. 31; In English volume no. 4; Book no. 31, Hadees no. 3449.

11. Hazrat Alkama Bin Aamir  رضي الله عنه  says that Nabi صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said “For you Zait Al-Zaitoon (زيت الزيتون) (Olive oil) is present, use it, in eating & massage because it is beneficial in Bawaseer (البواسير)” (piles).  : Reference Kanz al-Ummal: 28295.