اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّبيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى الله تَعَالَى عَلَيُهِ وسَلَّمَ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنبِي وأذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قَلْبِي وأَجِرْنِي مِن مُضِلاَّتِ الفِتَنِ مَا أحْيَيْتَنِي، اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي طَيِّباً واسْتَعْمِلْنِي طَيِّباً

Jubn ~Cheese

جُبن : في "السنن" عن عبد الله بن عمر قال: "أتي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بجبنة في تبوك، فدعا بسكين، وسمى وقطع" رواه أبو داود، وأكله الصحابة رضي الله عنهم بالشام، والعراق، والرطب منه غير المملوح جيد للمعدة، هين السلوك في الأعضاء، يزيد في اللحم، ويلين البطن تلييناً معتدلاً، والمملوح أقل غذاء من الرطب، وهو رديء للمعدة، مؤذ للأمعاء، والعتيق يعقل البطن، وكذا المشوي، وينفع القروح ويمنع الإسهال. وهو بارد رطب، فإن استعمل مشوياً، كان أصلح لمزاجه، فإن النار تصلحه وتعدله، وتلطف جوهره، وتطيب طعمه ورائحته. والعتيق المالح، حار يابس، وشيه يصلحه أيضاً بتلطيف جوهره، وكسر حرافته لما تجذبه النار منه من الأجزاء الحارة اليابسة المناسبة لها، والمملح منه يهزل، ويولد حصاة الكلى والمثانة، وهو رديء للمعدة، وخلطة بالملطفات أردأ بسبب تنفيذها له إلى المعدة 

Ibn Al Qayyim wrote : In Sunan, Abdullah ibn Umar Radi Allaho Anh reported: "Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was brought cheese in Tabuk. He called for a knife, mentioned the name of Allah, and cut it." This was narrated by Abu Dawood. The companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) consumed cheese in Sham (Syria) and Iraq.

Fresh, unseasoned cheese is good for the stomach; it is easy to digest and promotes muscle growth. It also mildly softens the bowels. In contrast, salted cheese is less nutritious than fresh cheese and can be harmful to the stomach and intestines. Aged cheese can cause constipation, as can grilled cheese, which is beneficial for wounds and helps prevent diarrhea.

Cheese is cold and moist. When grilled, it becomes more suitable for digestion, as the fire alters its properties, softening its essence and improving its taste and aroma. Aged, salted cheese is hot and dry, but grilling it can also refine its texture and reduce its harshness by removing some of the hot, dry components drawn out by the fire.

However, salted cheese weakens the body and may cause kidney and bladder stones. It is generally poor for the stomach, mixing it with other soothing ingredients, which people might think will make it gentler, actually makes things worse. These added substances allow the cheese to reach the stomach more easily, which then disrupts digestion even further.

Ibn al-Baytaar wrote : Cheese is made from milk that coagulates and solidifies, and not all types of milk can curdle into cheese. Only milk with a higher thickness (fat content) will easily form cheese as it separates from the water during the process. Cow's milk has a higher fat content, and when milk is left to curdle without churning, it becomes rich cheese. If this cheese is aged, it becomes quite sharp, which can be identified by its taste and smell.

Aged cheese becomes very sharp and can cause thirst, and it is known to produce stones in the body. Fresh cheese, on the other hand, is less harmful than aged cheese, with the best fresh cheese being made from sour milk, as it is more palatable and easier to digest.

Fresh cheese, when eaten without salt, is nourishing, tasty, and easy to digest, helping to build flesh and providing moderate laxative effects. Cooking and straining it can help with digestive issues, and it can also be used as a poultice for swollen eyes. Salted fresh cheese is less nourishing than unseasoned cheese and can be harmful to the intestines.

Rufus states that cheese can produce phlegm, irritate the stomach, cause thirst, and lead to sour belching. If digested, it can provide substantial nutrition, and cheese made over heat (with lemon or vinegar) is preferable to that made with rennet. Fresh cheese is considered better than aged cheese, and grilled cheese is healthier than raw cheese.  Moist cheese is easier to digest and can relieve symptoms from certain conditions.

Ibn Sina describes fresh cheese as cold and moist, while aged salted cheese is hot and dry. The best cheeses are those made from whey, which have dissolving properties. The ideal cheese balances between being too tough and too crumbly; it should not be bland or overly sweet and should have a moderate saltiness that doesn’t linger in the stomach.

Fresh cheese is nourishing and fattening, especially when consumed with honey afterward. Aged cheese can clear the body and is effective for treating wounds and minor cuts. Cooking aged, salted cheese can prevent facial spasms, and giving it to nursing mothers can increase their milk supply.

Thickest cheese comes from cow and buffalo milk, followed by sheep milk. Seasoning it with thyme and mint before consumption, and eating honey afterward can aid digestion.

Ibn al-Saghir notes that fresh cheese is nutritious for those with good digestion, but poor digesters may suffer from bloating and blockages if they consume it.

Al-Razi, in his work on the harmful effects of foods, states that cheese is slow to digest and can suppress appetite, having less harmful effects on those with heat and inflammation. However, those with cold and phlegm may not escape its adverse effects if consumed in excess. It can lead to severe conditions like colic pain. Therefore, it is recommended to eat it with honey, while consuming it with dates can be more nourishing, but it should not be followed by any heavy or moist foods to avoid digestive distress.

Ibn-e-Sina wrote: Cheese can be made from either milk or curds (yogurt), the latter being known as AQIT~أقط. Fresh cheese is cold and moist (second to third degree of coldness). Aged, salted cheese is hot and drying, as it contains some of the heat-generating properties of bile and the first phase of fermentation. The best cheese is of medium firmness, not too soft nor too hard. Cheese that is bland with a balance of mild sweetness and moderate saltiness is ideal. Cheese made from sour milk is preferred. Salty, aged cheese can be harmful due to its drying effect, and when mixed with softening agents, it can be detrimental as it speeds its action. Fresh cheese is nourishing and fattening. It should be eaten with honey for added benefits. Aged, salty cheese is hot and can purge the body of certain elements, especially bitterness. Cheese water is known to fatten dogs and is a good nutrient for them. Aqit (dried curd cheese) is known for its dissolving properties.

For Skin and Aesthetic Uses: Drinking cheese water with purifying agents can help reduce dark spots. Fresh cheese cooked with pomegranate peel paste can help prevent facial spasms or twitching. Aged, salted cheese can be used as a mild astringent but has a weakening effect.

For Wounds and Boils: Fresh, non-salty cheese can prevent swelling in fresh wounds. Aged cheese is beneficial for deep or chronic wounds and sores. Fresh cheese is also effective for softer, more superficial wounds, especially when combined with wild sorrel, and drinking cheese water can help treat scabies.

For Joint and Bone Health: Aged cheese mixed with oil or salted cow's foot water can be applied to joints and bones to remove the hardened substance (like plaster), which is very beneficial in joint pain treatments.

For Eye Health: Non-salty cheese can be used as a poultice for eye conditions such as conjunctivitis or stye.

For Respiratory Health: Cooking cheese in water and drinking it increases milk production in nursing mothers.

For Digestive Health: Salted cheese is not ideal for the stomach, especially in large quantities. However, non-salty cheese can be more beneficial. Fresh cheese is good for the stomach, but this is a matter of debate. Salted cheese is less difficult to digest than aged~extremely salty cheese. Aqit (dried curd) is gentler on the stomach than regular cheese. 

For Kidney and Bladder Health: Fresh cheese can contribute to the formation of kidney and bladder stones, particularly when consumed with strong spices. Non-salty cheese has a softening effect on the body, and its water can help cleanse the bile and detoxify the liver. When mixed with honey, it becomes even more beneficial. The medicine made from goat and sheep cheese is particularly effective for intestinal ulcers and helps prevent diarrhea. Additionally, the dried cheese can be powdered and used as an enema with rose oil or other oils to help clear digestive issues.

For Poison and Venom: When combined with mountain fennel, cheese is effective as a topical treatment for poisons, neutralizing venom and its harmful effects.

Cheese has a variety of medicinal properties depending on its type (fresh vs. aged, salted vs. non-salty). Fresh cheese is fattening and nourishing, while aged cheese is more drying and purging. It is useful for skin conditions, wounds, joint health, eye care, and digestive issues but should be used carefully, especially when it's salty or aged. It can also be combined with other ingredients like honey and herbal remedies to enhance its healing properties.

Home-made cheese