It may have been in consequence of some traditional knowledge of the ancient medical practice of the Egyptians, that Mahomet, in his Koran, prescribes honey as a medicine. One of the Suras, or chapters, of that work, is entitled ‘The Bee,’ and in which Mahomet says:—“The Lord spake by inspiration unto the Bee, saying, ‘Provide thee houses in the mountains and in the trees [clearly signifying the cavities in rocks and hollows of trees, wherein the bees construct their combs], and of those materials wherewith men build hives for thee; then eat of every kind of fruit, and walk in the beaten paths of thy Lord.’ There proceedeth from their bellies a liquor of various colours, wherein is a medicine for men. Verily herein is a sign unto people who consider.”
It is remarkable that the bee is the only creature that Mahomet assumes the Almighty to have directly addressed. Al-Beidawi, the Arabic commentator upon the Koran, whose authority ranks very high, in notes upon passages of the preceding extract, says, “The houses alluded to are the combs, whose beautiful workmanship and admirable contrivance no geometrician can excel.” The “beaten paths of thy Lord,” he says, “are the ways through which, by God’s power, the bitter flowers, passing the bee’s stomach, become honey; or, the methods of making honey he has taught her by instinct; or else the ready way home from the distant places to which that insect flies.” The liquor proceeding from their bellies, Al-Beidawi says, “is the honey, the colour of which is very different, occasioned by the different plants on which the bees feed; some being white, some yellow, some red, and some black.” He appends a note to where Mahomet says, “therein is a medicine for man,” which contains a curious anecdote. The note says, “The same being not only good food, but a useful remedy in several distempers. There is a story that a man once came to Mahomet, and told him his brother was afflicted with a violent pain in his belly; upon which the Prophet bade him give him some honey. The fellow took his advice; but soon after, coming again, told him that the medicine had done his brother no manner of service. Mahomet answered: ‘_Go and give him more honey_, for God speaks truth, and thy brother’s belly lies.’ And the dose being repeated, the man, by God’s mercy, was immediately cured.”