Honey in Islam: Quran, Hadith & Benefits

Few foods have as explicit a connection with healing in Islamic sources as honey. The Quran describes what emerges from bees as containing "healing for people," while authentic Hadith also discuss honey in remedy-related contexts.

But those sources need to be read carefully. Describing honey as containing healing isn't the same as saying it cures every illness, and a religious description of benefit shouldn't automatically be turned into a modern clinical claim.

This guide looks at what the Quran actually says about honey, the Hadith behind its reputation as a remedy, and how it's traditionally and practically used today.

Read: The Complete Guide to Sunnah Foods

Honey in Islam at a Glance

Honey in Surah An-Nahl

Honey's clearest Quranic connection comes from Surah An-Nahl - "The Bee," the only chapter in the Quran named after an insect. After describing bees being inspired to build their homes in mountains, trees and structures, and to feed on fruit, the verse continues:

"...there emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colours, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought."

Quran 16:68–69

This is one of the more explicit food-related references to healing anywhere in the Quran. The surrounding passage frames this as a sign for people who reflect, not as a medical instruction.

Read more: Foods Mentioned in the Quran

Hadith on Honey as a Remedy

Honey's remedy-related connection is reinforced separately in authentic Hadith.
One of the clearest examples concerns a specific illness.

A man came to the Prophet ﷺ about his brother's abdominal complaint. The Prophet ﷺ told him to give his brother honey. When the man returned saying the problem remained, the Prophet ﷺ repeated the advice and after honey was given again, his brother recovered.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5684; Sahih Muslim 2217

A second, broader narration groups honey alongside other traditional remedies. Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما reported the Prophet ﷺ saying:

"Healing is in three things: a gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire — but I forbid my followers to use branding with fire."

Sahih al-Bukhari 5680, 5681

This Hadith is worth reading carefully because of what the Prophet ﷺ does with the third item on his own list: he names cauterisation as a traditional remedy and then explicitly discourages his followers from using it.

That's a useful reminder that not every practice mentioned in a remedy-related Hadith carries the same endorsement. Honey and cupping are recommended, cauterisation is specifically advised against.

Together, these Hadith give honey one of the strongest remedy-related connections among foods discussed in this series. However, Honey isn't a substitute for appropriate medical treatment for a genuine illness.

Read more: Foods Mentioned in Hadith

Traditional and Modern Uses

Traditionally, Honey has been used both as a food and as a remedy. It can be taken alone, stirred into drinks, or mixed with other ingredients such as black seed or Talbina.

A separate Hadith records that the Prophet ﷺ himself was fond of it: Aisha رضي الله عنها narrated that "Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to love sweet edible things and honey" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5431) - a report about his personal eating habits, distinct from the remedy-related hadith above.

Modern nutrition research has looked at Honey's composition in some detail. It's primarily composed of natural sugars (mainly fructose and glucose), but also contains small amounts of enzymes, antioxidants and other plant-derived compounds, depending on the flowers the bees fed from and how the honey was processed.

Different types of Honey have been studied for antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and there's some evidence behind its use for soothing coughs and supporting wound healing in specific contexts.

None of that makes honey a general cure-all. Its effects vary by type and use, it remains a concentrated source of sugar, and like any food discussed for its remedial properties, it shouldn't replace medical care for a genuine health concern.

Read more: Talbina in Islam

Choosing Raw vs. Processed Honey

Honey sold today ranges from minimally processed raw honey to heavily filtered, sometimes heat-treated commercial honey (a distinction worth knowing when choosing between them).

Raw honey is typically strained but not heated or finely filtered, retaining more of its natural pollen, enzymes and other compounds. It can crystallise over time, which is normal rather than a sign it's gone bad.

Processed (commercial) Honey is often heated and filtered for a smoother, longer-lasting product, which can reduce some naturally occurring compounds along the way. It's typically cheaper and more widely available.

Neither the Quran nor the Hadith discussed here specify a particular type or processing method (that's a modern distinction, not a religious one). Either can reasonably be used for most everyday purposes; anyone specifically interested in honey's less-processed properties may prefer raw honey from a source they trust.

One practical safety note, unrelated to processing: honey shouldn't be given to infants under one year old, due to a small risk of infant botulism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Quran say about honey?

Surah An-Nahl (16:68–69) describes honey as a drink from bees "in which there is healing for people," presented as a sign for reflection rather than a specific medical instruction.

Is honey mentioned in hadith as a remedy?

Yes. The Prophet ﷺ recommended honey for a specific stomach complaint (Sahih al-Bukhari 5684; Sahih Muslim 2217a), and a separate hadith groups a "gulp of honey" with cupping as one of three traditional remedies (Sahih al-Bukhari 5680–5681).

Does honey cure illness according to Islam?

The Quran and hadith both describe honey as containing healing, but neither claims it cures every illness or condition. Reading the wording carefully, healing in honey, not honey as a universal cure, avoids overstating what the sources actually say.

Is raw honey better than regular honey according to Islamic sources?

Islamic sources don't specify a type or processing method. The raw-versus-processed distinction is a modern one; either can reasonably be used, though raw honey retains more of its naturally occurring compounds.

Health Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and isn't medical advice. Honey shouldn't be given to infants under one year old. Persistent or serious illness should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

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