𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒆 ﷺ — 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒓’𝒂𝒏 & 𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒂𝒉

 

 

PROPHETIC MEDICINE (الطِّبُّ النَّبَوِيُّ)

The Prophetic Guidance on Remedies, Healing, Nutrition and Reliance upon Allah

🌿 ═════ ❖ AHMADTRINI • MADRASA IBN ABBAS ❖ ═════ 🌿

Introduction

Islam recognises the importance of preserving health, seeking beneficial remedies and placing one's trust in Allah, the Lord of all creation.

The Sunnah contains guidance concerning honey, black seed, cupping, moderation in eating, spiritual healing and other matters related to health. These teachings remind Muslims that remedies are means, while true healing ultimately comes from Allah.

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🔹𝟘𝟙 ◇ HEALING IN THREE THINGS

الحِجَامَةُ • العَسَلُ • الكَيُّ

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ

الشِّفَاءُ فِي ثَلَاثَةٍ: شَرْطَةِ مِحْجَمٍ، أَوْ شَرْبَةِ عَسَلٍ، أَوْ كَيَّةٍ بِنَارٍ

 وَأَنْهَى أُمَّتِي عَنِ الْكَيِّ

Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Healing is in three things: the incision of the cupper, a drink of honey, or cauterisation with fire. However, I forbid my Ummah from cauterisation.”

📖  Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5681.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

This narration mentions three forms of treatment known at the time of the Prophet ﷺ. It does not mean that every illness must be treated with these methods or that other beneficial treatments should be rejected. Treatment must be appropriate to the illness and the individual.

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🟢𝟘𝟚  ◇ BLACK SEED — حَبَّةُ البَرَكَةِ

A Remedy Mentioned in the Sunnah

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ

«فِي الْحَبَّةِ السَّوْدَاءِ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ إِلَّا السَّامَ»

Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:

“In the black seed there is healing for every disease except death.”

📖  Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5688; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2215.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

Black seed, known as Nigella sativa, is mentioned in authentic Prophetic narration as a remedy. Its mention should be understood with the explanations of qualified scholars and the realities of medical treatment.

The narration does not justify assuming that black seed, in any quantity or preparation, cures every condition in every person. It should not replace necessary medical care.

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💠 𝟘𝟛 ◇ HONEY — العَسَلُ

A Remedy Mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah

Allah, the Most High, says:

يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِ

“From their bellies comes a drink of varying colours, in which there is healing for people.”

📖  Sūrah al-Naḥl, 16:69.

The Sunnah also records the following incident.

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ

أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ: إِنَّ أَخِي اسْتَطْلَقَ بَطْنُهُ، فَقَالَ: «اسْقِهِ

 عَسَلًا». فَسَقَاهُ، ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فَقَالَ: إِنِّي سَقَيْتُهُ عَسَلًا فَلَمْ يَزِدْهُ إِلَّا

 اسْتِطْلَاقًا، فَقَالَ: «اسْقِهِ عَسَلًا». حَتَّى كَانَ فِي الْمَرَّةِ الرَّابِعَةِ

 فَقَالَ: «صَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَكَذَبَ بَطْنُ أَخِيكَ»

Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه reported that a man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said that his brother was suffering from a bowel complaint.

 The Prophet ﷺ instructed him to give his brother honey. The man returned several times, reporting that the complaint persisted. The Prophet ﷺ continued to instruct him to give honey. Eventually, the man reported that his brother recovered.

📖 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5684; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2217.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

Honey is mentioned in the Qur’an and has recognised uses in certain medical applications. However, its suitability depends on the condition being treated. Honey must not be given to infants under twelve months because of the risk of infant botulism.

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🔷𝟘𝟜  ◇ CUPPING — الحِجَامَةُ

A Treatment Mentioned in the Sunnah

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا

«احْتَجَمَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ وَأَعْطَى الْحَجَّامَ أَجْرَهُ»

Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما reported:

“The Prophet ﷺ underwent cupping and paid the cupper his wages.”

📖 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5691.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

Cupping is a traditional treatment involving suction applied to the skin. This narration establishes that the Prophet ﷺ underwent cupping and paid the practitioner.

Cupping should be performed only by a properly trained practitioner using appropriate hygiene and sterile equipment. Wet cupping, in particular, carries risks of infection, bleeding and blood-borne disease if performed improperly.

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🟢 𝟘𝟝 ◇ HENNA FOR LEG PAIN

الحِنَّاءُ وَالعِلَاجُ

عَنْ سَلْمَى خَادِمَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ

مَا كَانَ أَحَدٌ يَشْتَكِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَجَعًا فِي رَأْسِهِ إِلَّا قَالَ

 احْتَجِمْ، وَلَا وَجَعًا فِي رِجْلَيْهِ إِلَّا قَالَ: اخْضِبْهُمَا

Salmā, the servant of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, reported that whenever someone complained to him of a headache, he instructed the person to undergo cupping; and whenever someone complained of pain in the legs, he instructed the person to apply henna to them.

📖 Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 3858; graded ḥasan by al-Albānī.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

This narration mentions the use of henna in connection with leg pain. It should be studied with its grading and scholarly explanations. It does not establish that henna is a proven treatment for every cause of leg pain, nor should it delay appropriate medical assessment.

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💠𝟘𝟞 ◇ TRUFFLES — الكَمْأَةُ

A Mentioned Remedy for the Eyes

عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ

«الْكَمْأَةُ مِنَ الْمَنِّ، وَمَاؤُهَا شِفَاءٌ لِلْعَيْنِ»

Saʿīd ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Truffles are a form of manna, and their liquid is a healing for the eye.”

📖  Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5708; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2049.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

This authentic narration mentions truffles and their liquid in connection with eye healing. It should not be taken as permission to put raw truffle liquid or unsterile substances into the eyes. Eye complaints can be serious and should receive appropriate medical attention.

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🔹𝟘𝟟 ◇ MODERATION IN EATING

الِاعْتِدَالُ فِي الطَّعَامِ

عَنْ الْمِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِي كَرِبَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ

 اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ

مَا مَلَأَ آدَمِيٌّ وِعَاءً شَرًّا مِنْ بَطْنٍ، بِحَسْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ أُكُلَاتٌ يُقِمْنَ

 صُلْبَهُ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا مَحَالَةَ، فَثُلُثٌ لِطَعَامِهِ، وَثُلُثٌ لِشَرَابِهِ، وَثُلُثٌ

 لِنَفَسِهِ

Al-Miqdām ibn Maʿdīkarib رضي الله عنه reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:

“The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. A few morsels that keep his back straight are sufficient for the son of Adam. But if he must eat more, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink and one-third for his breathing.”

📖 Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, 2380; Sunan Ibn Mājah, 3349.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

This narration teaches moderation, self-discipline and avoiding unnecessary excess in eating.

A Muslim should seek to maintain a balanced diet, consume what is beneficial and avoid habits that harm the body. The principle of moderation is relevant to everyday life, although individual nutritional needs differ.

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🟢 𝟘𝟠 ◇ OLIVE OIL — زَيْتُ الزَّيْتُونِ

A Blessed Tree

Allah, the Most High, says:

يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ

“Lit from a blessed tree, an olive tree.”

📖  Sūrah al-Nūr, 24:35.

A narration attributed to the Prophet ﷺ states:

«كُلُوا الزَّيْتَ وَادَّهِنُوا بِهِ، فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ»

“Eat olive oil and apply it, for it comes from a blessed tree.”

📖  Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, 1851; also reported in Sunan Ibn Mājah, 3319. The report has been graded favourably by some scholars.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

Olive oil is a recognised food and is widely used in cooking. Its nutritional value makes it a beneficial ingredient in a balanced diet.

The blessing mentioned in the narration should not be turned into a claim that olive oil cures every disease or that applying it is suitable for every skin condition.

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🔷 𝟘𝟡 ◇ SEEKING TREATMENT AND TRUSTING ALLAH

التَّدَاوِي وَالتَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ

عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ شَرِيكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ: يَا

 رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَلَا نَتَدَاوَى؟ قَالَ

نَعَمْ، يَا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ، تَدَاوَوْا، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَضَعْ دَاءً إِلَّا وَضَعَ لَهُ

 شِفَاءً، غَيْرَ دَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ. قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَمَا هُوَ؟ قَالَ

 الْهَرَمُ

Usāmah ibn Sharīk رضي الله عنه reported that some Bedouins asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ whether they should seek medical treatment. He replied:

“Yes, servants of Allah, seek treatment, for Allah has not placed a disease without placing a remedy for it, except for one disease.” They asked what it was, and he replied, “Old age.”

📖  Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 3855; Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, 2038.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

Seeking medical treatment does not contradict reliance upon Allah. A Muslim may use lawful and beneficial means while recognising that Allah alone is the ultimate source of healing.

Tawakkul is not abandoning available treatment. Rather, it includes taking appropriate steps while placing one's trust in Allah.

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💠 𝟙𝟘 ◇ RUQYAH — SPIRITUAL HEALING

الرُّقْيَةُ الشَّرْعِيَّةُ

عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ الْأَشْجَعِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ

كُنَّا نَرْقِي فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، فَقُلْنَا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، كَيْفَ تَرَى فِي ذَلِكَ؟

 فَقَالَ

«اعْرِضُوا عَلَيَّ رُقَاكُمْ، لَا بَأْسَ بِالرُّقَى مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ شِرْكٌ»

ʿAwf ibn Mālik al-Ashjaʿī رضي الله عنه reported:

“We used to perform ruqyah during the days of ignorance, so we asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ what he thought of it. He said, ‘Present your ruqyahs to me. There is no harm in ruqyah so long as it does not contain shirk.’”

📖  Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2200.

💠 ━━━ ❖ 𝓡𝓔𝓕𝓛𝓔𝓒𝓣𝓘𝓞𝓝❖ ━━━ 💠

Ruqyah involves supplication and recitation seeking Allah's protection and healing. It may include reciting Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, Āyat al-Kursī and the protective chapters of the Qur’an, along with authentic supplications.

Ruqyah must remain free from shirk, unlawful invocations and practices that contradict Islamic teachings. Spiritual treatment can accompany appropriate medical care; it should not be used as a reason to neglect serious illness.

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🟢 KEY POINTS ◇ BENEFICIAL REMINDERS

🔹 Healing is from Allah, and lawful remedies are means through which healing may occur.

🔹 The Qur’an and authentic Sunnah contain guidance concerning honey, black seed, cupping, nutrition and spiritual healing.

🔹 Moderation in eating is a Prophetic principle that benefits everyday life.

🔹 Authentic narrations must be distinguished from weak reports and statements incorrectly attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.

🔹 Not every traditional remedy is appropriate for every illness. Medical advice, hygiene, correct diagnosis and safe treatment remain important.

🔹 Ruqyah is permissible when it is free from shirk and is performed in accordance with Islamic teachings.

🔹 Reliance upon Allah and seeking medical treatment are not contradictory.

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❖ A FINAL REMINDER ❖

The study of Prophetic Medicine requires respect for the Qur’an, careful verification of hadith and an understanding of the context in which the narrations were transmitted.

The Muslim should neither dismiss authentic Prophetic guidance nor attribute unsupported medical claims to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Knowledge requires sincerity, accuracy and responsibility.

We ask Allah, the Lord of mankind, to remove suffering, grant beneficial knowledge, guide us to what is correct and provide healing to those who are ill.

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ، اشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا

O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the affliction and grant healing, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing, a healing that leaves no illness behind.

📖 Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 5743; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2191.

🌿 ═════ ❖ AHMADTRINI • MADRASA IBN ABBAS ❖ ═════ 🌿

Read • Understand • Reflect • Practise

May Allah grant us beneficial knowledge, righteous actions and sound understanding of the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah.

وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ

And Allah knows best.