يا ولِيَّ الإسلامِ وأهلِهِ ، ثَبِّتْنِي بهِ حتى أَلْقَاكَ

Nabiq / Unaab

نَبِقٌ‏ : ذكر أبو نعيم في كتابه ‏(‏الطب النبوى‏)‏ مرفوعاً‏:‏ ‏(‏إنَّ آدمَ لَمَّا أُهْبِطَ إلى الأرض كان أولَ شىء أكل مِن ثمارها النَّبِقُ‏)‏‏.‏ وقد ذكر النبىُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم النَّبِقَ في الحديث المتفق على صحته‏:‏ أنه رأى سِدْرَة المُنتهى ليلةَ أُسْرِىَ به، وإذا نَبِقُها مِثْلُ قِلالِ هَجَرٍ‏.‏ والنَبِق‏:‏ ثمر شجر السدر يعقِل الطبيعة، وينفع من الإسهال، ويدبُغ المَعِدَة، ويُسَكِّن الصفراء، ويَغذو البدنَ، ويُشهِّى الطَّعام، ويُولِّد بلغماً، وينفع الذَّرَب الصفراوىَّ، وهو بطىء الهضم، وسَويقُه يُقوِّى الحشا، وهو يُصْلِحُ الأمزجة الصفراوية، وتُدفع مضرتُه بالشهد‏.‏ واختُلِفَ فيه، هل هو رطب أو يابس ‏؟‏ على قولين‏.‏ والصحيح‏:‏ أنَّ رطبه بارد رطب، ويابسه بارد يابس‏.‏

It has several names: Nabiq, Christ's thorn, lotus jujube, or rhamnus. 

Ibn al-Qayyam wrote : Nabiq (Lote fruit): Abu Nu'aym mentioned in his book "Prophetic Medicine" that a Hadith says, "When Adam was sent down to earth, the first fruit he ate was Nabiq (lote fruit)." Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم also mentioned Nabiq in a Hadith agreed upon for its authenticity, where he described seeing Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree) on the night of his Ascension, with fruits as large as the jars of Hajar (a town in Arabian peninsula).

Nabiq is the fruit of the lote tree (Sidr). It is known to aid digestion by firming the stomach and relieving diarrhea. It soothes bile, nourishes the body, increases appetite, and produces phlegm, while also benefiting yellow bile disorders. Nabiq is slow to digest, but its ground form (Saweeq) strengthens the stomach lining and is particularly beneficial for hot-tempered individuals. Any negative effects of Nabiq can be mitigated with honey.

There is a difference of opinion on whether Nabiq is moist or dry. The correct view is that fresh Nabiq is cold and moist, while dried Nabiq is cold and dry.

Ibn al-Bytaar wrote : According to Abu Hanifah, the Sidr tree has two main types:

• Ghubri (River Jujube): This variety grows by rivers, has broad, rounded leaves, and lacks thorns except for some small, flyaway shoots.
• Dhal (Wild Jujube): This variety has thorny branches with small, round, sharp thorns and grows primarily in deserts or wilderness.

The fruit (known as Nabiq or Jujube berry) varies by type, with the Ghubri growing larger fruits and Dhal producing smaller, harsher fruit. 

Medicinal Properties:

• Cooling and Drying: According to Ibn Masawayh, the jujube fruit has a mild cooling and drying effect, with a mild degree of dryness and is beneficial for digestion.
• Appetite Stimulant: Ishaq bin Imran noted that jujube increases appetite, similar to hawthorn, but with a slightly stronger drying effect.
• Digestive Benefits: Its properties help in strengthening the stomach lining and regulating bowel movements, particularly when consumed dried and before meals.
• Laxative Effects: For those with moist stomach or intestinal linings, dried Nabiq can act as a mild laxative, helping to release impurities. 
• Different Varieties: The taste and effect vary, with dried jujube being more astringent and beneficial for controlling bowel movement, while the ripe, fresh fruit has a gentler effect and is quicker to digest.

Health Benefits:

• Astringent Effects: The dried fruit helps in binding the intestines and reducing diarrhea, while the unripe, green fruit is slightly more astringent.
• Nutritional Properties: Provides mild, thick nourishment beneficial for cases of severe diarrhea.
• Digestive Aid: According to Al-Tabari, fresh jujube aids digestion, stimulates appetite, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Mild Laxative for Yellow Bile: Ibn Sarayun noted that the juice of sweet jujube can ease yellow bile accumulated in the stomach and intestines and help in reducing excess heat.