An Important Benefit of Vinegar

This is a short yet quite useful post.  In my search through the books of traditions I stumbled upon the following very interesting tradition.  As we know عقل or intellect has a very significant and important place in Islam. Copious authentic and acceptable traditions are present in our books that clarify and emphasize the integral role of intellect in our faith and in our daily lives.  An individual who is aware of these traditions and an individual who understands the magnitude of the importance of intellect in our religion would naturally look for ways to train and strengthen his or her intellect.  Numerous traditions have provided us with numerous ways to strengthen our intellects.  This post just highlights one of those ways.  It’s a relatively easy way to strengthen your intellect.  Now, the main question is, why not? Why not make a simple change in our diets if it helps our faith and our health?

            After reading the following traditions, I would recommend you check this link as well, Health Benefits of Vinegar.

            Here are two very helpful related acceptable traditions, one is authentic and one is good.

9) Authentic

Arabic Text:

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ خَلُّ الْخَمْرِ يَشُدُّ اللِّثَةَ وَ يَقْتُلُ دَوَابَّ الْبَطْنِ وَ يَشُدُّ الْعَقْلَ

English Translation:

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Al Hakam from Sama'ah from Abu Abdullah, peace be upon him, who has said:

Wine vinegar strengthens the gum, kills the creatures present inside the abdomen and makes the intellect [aql] stronger.

2) Good

Arabic Text:

عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ الْخَلُّ يَشُدُّ الْعَقْلَ

English Translation:

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Abu Omayr from Hisham ibn Salem from Solayman ibn Khaled from Abu Abdullah, peace be upon him, who has said:  

Vinegar strengthens the intellect [aql].

Source:

Al-Kafi, Volume 6, Page 329, Tradition #2

Al-Kafi, Volume 6, Page 330, Tradition #9