Barley is a sub continental drink of Indo-Pak that is made from a very useful grain. Barley is such a grain that not only provides complete nutrition but also exposes to a new taste. It has been a favorite diet of the Prophets (علیہ السلام). According to the history, all the Prophets (علیہ السلام) often used to eat barley bread. Our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) also took barley bread along with him when he (ﷺ) used to go for worship in the cave of Hira. He (ﷺ) often used to eat ground barley upon feeling hungry. Roasted barley, that is ground coarsely, is called “sattu”. The Prophet (ﷺ) made incumbent the payment of one Sa' of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (one Sa` is equal to 234 tolas). Historically, barley was first cultivated in Ethiopia as grain. By the age of Hazrat Salman (علیہ السلام) it was formally cultivated as grain. During his (علیہ السلام) times, barley was cultivated in such abundance that it was exported to other countries. Barley grains were found during the excavation of Egyptian Pyramids. According to the experts, they were ten thousand years old. Barley is yellowish white; its grain is oblong and oval in shape. In certain varieties, barley grains are as big as wheat grains and sometimes even two times longer than this. Its effect is cold and dry. Due to heaviness, its bread (chappati) is slightly constipating and takes times to digest. It creates dryness in the body. It is very beneficial for hot tempered and obese people as it contains potassium carbonate. It is also eaten with ghee, butter and meat. It takes three to four hours to digest properly. According to a tradition, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) put date on barley bread (chappati) and said it is its curry and should be eaten with it. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was fond of barley wheat. Barley pudding is excellent for weak children to make them healthy. For making barley pudding, take some barley and soak it in water to soften its outer skin. After this, cook it with milk and add sugar or honey. Along with fulfilling nutritional needs, it is also beneficial to treat chest and stomach diseases. It removes cough, asthma, headache (due to heat) and stomachache. Especially for stomach ulcer patients, it is beneficial to be used as a light diet. According to Bukhari Shareef, Hazrat Ayesha (رضی اللہ عنہا) often asked to prepare “Talbina” for patients; it is a special kind of dish made with barley. According to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) it is very beneficial, he (ﷺ) said “It soothes the grieving heart and cleanses the ailing heart just as one of you cleans dirt off his face with water”. (Ibn Maajah)
