Deck: Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, said, “Make use of the two remedies: honey and the Qur’an.” (Al-Tirmidhi Hadith) Aminah Ahmad, Islamic Post Contributer Honey is the oldest sweetener known to humans. Historically, honey was seen as a symbol of contentment and prosperity, and earned the name “liquid gold”. Ancient peoples, such as the Egyptians and Greeks, prized honey and used it in many remedies and applied it to wounds. Although honey is a sweetener, it is different from simple sugars in that it provides good nutritional value. This complex food made up of mostly glucose and fructose, and small amounts of sucrose; it also contains carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes and vitamins B and C. Honey also contains antioxidants, which are the parts of cells that get rid of detrimental particles of metabolic functions, such as free redicals, which can cause cancer. These antioxidants –one of which, Pinocembrin, is found only in honey- can contribute greatly to the prevention of cancers and heart diseases. Most amazing about honey is that it does not accommodate the growth of bacteria, and will not spoil if left for a long period of time. When used to sweeten cakes and breads, it improves the shelf life and allows the baked goods to stay moister longer due to honey’s water attracting properties. It takes the nectar of 1 ½ million flowers to make just a pint of honey, which was the cause of its expensive price and limited availability in the past. But presently, honey is readily available in most countries around the world. But while people may take advantage of its dietary use, much of its…