A Wise Approach to Choosing Honey in the Islamic Perspective – The definition of “honey” can be drawn directly from the Quran. Allah commands bees in Surah An-Nahl (Chapter of the Bees), specifically in verse 69. From this verse, we can define “honey” as a natural sweetener produced in the bee’s body, originating primarily from the nectar of various plants and coming in diverse colors. This honey contains healing properties for human beings.

When we observe bees, there are several noble characteristics we can learn from them. Below are some lessons that these small creatures teach us:

1. Bees only consume what is good.
2. Bees are high achievers, always striving for excellence.
3. Bees never take something from a flower without giving it something beneficial in return.
4. Bees do not take over a flower that has already been “claimed” by another bee.
5. Bees do not demand excessively or place undue pressure on other creatures (like flowers).
6. Bees are social creatures that do not envy each other.
7. Bees are humble beings.
8. Bees contribute benefits to the broader community.

“From Surah An-Nahl, Verses 68 and 69”

Surah An-Nahl, Verse 68
“And your Lord inspired the bees: ‘Make your homes in the mountains, in the trees, and in the structures people build. Then eat from every [kind of] fruit and follow humbly the paths your Lord has laid out [for you].’”

Surah An-Nahl, Verse 69
“Then eat from all [kinds of] fruits and follow the ways of your Lord that have been made easy [for you]. From their bellies emerges a drink of varying colors, in which there is healing for humankind. Indeed, in this is a sign for those who reflect.”

Pure Honey as a Remedy for Various Ailments

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasized honey’s healing properties. According to a hadith narrated by Bukhari:
“Honey is a remedy for every illness, and the Quran is a remedy for all mental confusion (illness of the mind). Thus, I recommend to you both cures: the Quran and honey.”

With its abundant nutrients and vitamins, honey offers numerous health benefits:

• Relieves coughs
• Supports digestive health
• Promotes wound healing
• Maintains oral health
• Prevents the hardening of arteries
• Helps regulate blood sugar levels
• Boosts the immune system
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves cholesterol levels

Types of Honey

In general, honey can be categorized into four types: Pure Honey, and what can be collectively referred to as SOS Honey (Syrup-based, Adulterated, and Synthetic).

1. Pure Honey:
   This refers to honey sourced from nature or cultivated naturally. As mentioned in Surah An-Nahl, Verse 69, “Honey” is a natural sweetener produced in the bee’s body, primarily from plant nectar of various colors, and contains healing properties for humans.
2. Cultivated Honey (but not nectar-based):
   This type of honey is produced by bees that are fed sugar solutions instead of flower nectar. It is challenging to detect, as it still comes from bees’ bodies.
3. Adulterated Honey:
   This is honey that has been mixed with other substances to increase its quantity.
4. Synthetic Honey (often referred to as SOS Honey):
   This is honey-like syrup made from natural or synthetic ingredients to resemble real honey.

Types 3 and 4 clearly involve adulteration. Type 2 is tricky because even though it’s produced by bees, it doesn’t come from plant nectar. Therefore, Type 3 is still considered fake honey.

Research Findings

By mere visual inspection, it is difficult to distinguish genuine honey from fake. Research has shown that, based on physical and chemical properties, SOS honey can more closely match the standard SNI (Indonesian National Standard) for honey. Factors such as pH level, viscosity, color, glucose content, fructose content, acidity (KA), enzyme activity, and other properties can be adjusted to meet SNI standards (Nugraha, Haris, and Nacing, 2023). Similarly, antibacterial properties can be mimicked by adding antibacterial agents to the honey (Amelia, Haris, Andriani, and Rochmayanti, 2022). Many hoaxes circulate about testing honey—such as the water test, color test, tissue test, or fire test—but these are unreliable indicators.

Practical Tips to Avoid Buying Fake Honey

Here are some practical guidelines:

1. If the price of honey is extremely cheap, this could be a sign that it’s not genuine, as pure honey tends to be quite costly.
2. Buy honey directly from reputable beekeepers who cultivate it themselves. Avoid buying honey from just anywhere.
3. Alternatively, purchase honey from credible groups or associations that specialize in honey production, such as Perhutani (involved in forest honey), the Indonesian Honey Association, or local beekeeper groups. In West Java, for instance, there is the Inspirator Lebah Madu (ILMI) Reg. Jabar or the Indonesian Beekeeping Association (APIDA) in West Java, and in Kalimantan, there’s Madu Hutan Danau Sentarum (MHDS), and so forth.

While these steps do not guarantee 100% authenticity and protection from fraud, at the very least, they reduce the risk of purchasing fake honey.