Relief of Pain: A Medical Discovery 

It is a long-established custom among Muslim parents to put a piece of
well-chewed date (or other available sweet fruit) in the mouth of a newborn
baby. Muslims do this following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, upon
him be peace, believing him to be, as the Qur'an says, sent as a healing and a 
mercy to mankind. We may infer from the way this custom originated that there
is a virtue in it. There is - complimentary to the virtue and pleasure of following the
Sunnah (the practice of the Prophet) - placing a `sugary substance' inside the mouth
of a new-born baby dramatically reduces pain sensation and heart rate. An interesting
scientific medical study, published in the British Medical  Journal (No 6993, 10 June 
1995), proved beyond any doubt the benefit of giving a new-born child sugar, in order
to reduce the feeling of any painful procedure like heel pricking for a blood sample or
before circumcision.

The study, entitled `The analgesic (pain killing) effect of sucrose in full term infants: a 
randomised controlled trial', was done by Nora Haouari, Christopher Wood, Gillian
Griffiths and Malcolm Levene in the post-natal ward in the Leeds General Infirmary in
England.  60 healthy infants of gestational age 37-42 weeks and postnatal age of  1-6
days, were randomized to receive 2ml of one of the four solutions: 12.5% sucrose, 25% 
sucrose, 50% sucrose, and sterile water (control).

The first group of 30 babies received sugar syrup before a routine blood test (heel pricking, 
which is usually painful) done to detect jaundice. The other 30 babies were given only
sterile water as a control group.  Placing 2ml of a 25% or 50% sucrose solution on the
tongue before pricking the heel significantly reduced the crying time, compared to babies 
who got water. Also, their heart rate returned to normal more quickly. The stronger sugar 
solution had the greater effect, crying being reduced further with increasing concentration
of sucrose. From which we may conclude that sucrose (sugar) placed on the tongue may
be a useful and safe form of analgesia for use with newborn infants.

Blass and Hoffmeyer also showed that 12% solution of inter-oral sucrose significantly
reduced the duration of crying in  new-born babies subjected to heel pricking or 
circumcision. This study was reported in The Independent newspaper (Friday 9 June
1995) as well as in the British Medical Journal article.

The practice of the Prophet, upon him be peace, is recorded in the collections of his
sayings and reports about him, of which the most reveered are the two Sahih collections
of Bukhari and Muslim:

 Abu Buradah reported from Abu Musa, who said: `I had a new-born baby; I
 took him to the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, who
 called him Ibrahim. The Prophet chewed a date then he took it and rubbed
 the inside of the baby's mouth with it.'

There are many other reported incidents like this one.

The date contains a very high percentage of sugar (70-80%); it has both fructose and 
glucose which have high calorific values,  it is easily and quickly digestible, and very
helpful to the brain. The  date contains 2.2% protein, vitamin A, vitamins B1, B2  adnicotruic
acid (against Pellagra); it has traces of minerals needed for  the body such as potassium, 
sodium, calcium, iron,  manganese, copper. Potassium, of which percentage is very high, 
has been found to be very effective for cases of  haemorrhage, such as the occasions of birth 
or circumcision.

We may note that the Sunnah also commends dates for the breaking of the fast in Ramadhan.
Dates should be eaten, if  available, before the sunset prayer - this is medically and nutritionally
the best way and the Sunnah.

The great worth of dates is also indicated in a famous and beautiful passage of the Qur'an, 
surah Maryam, verses 25-6:

 And shake towards you the trunk of the palm-tree and it will drop on you
 fresh ripe dates. So eat and drink and be  comforted.

 This was the prescription of God, the Creator, for the blessed Virgin Mary at the time 
of the birth of Jesus, the blessed Prophet of God. It was a prescription to make the delivery
easy and comfortable. As in the example we have briefly recorded in this example, we believe
further research will confirm for those who still doubt the full worth and truth, the wisdom, 
of the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah.

We shall show them our signs on he furthest horizons and within themselves until it becomes
clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient that your Lord is witness over all things? 
(Fusilat, 41.53)

As the authors of the medical study referred to intend trying new sugary or sweet substances, 
we shall recommend that they try dates for the newborn for the relief of pain.

Finally, we hope Muslim medical scientists and researchers take this new  discovery on board,
and that many more ideas and  practices in the teaching of Islam needing investigative research
and  objective, scientific study will get the attention they deserve.

Wallahu 'alam.

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