Question

Are these benefits of watermelon authentic?

البطيخ قبل الطعام يغسل البطن غسلا ويذهب بالداء أصلا

 

Answer

Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has recorded this as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and has expressed reservation with regard to the authenticity (والحديث شاذ لا يصح)

(Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 6 pg. 102 and vol. 36 pg. 141)

 

Other Muhaddithun have also declared this Hadith a fabrication.

(Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 1 pg. 699, number: 911, Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 2 pg. 541, Hadith: 649 and Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 3212)

 

‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahullah) has cited this as the statement of some doctors. This should therefore be quoted as the statement of a doctor and not as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

(Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 6998)

 

Translation

“[Consuming] watermelon before eating cleanses the stomach thoroughly and completely removes illnesses.”

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar