Using Medicine

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said,

"[We are required] to seek and take the appropriate medicine, while indicating that this action does not contradict dependence on Allah alone for everything.

"Just as one satisfying his hunger, thirst or reacts to being hot or cold does not contradict the dependence on Allah.

"On the contrary, the belief in the Oneness of Allah can only be complete by pacifying and responding to the various harmful elements in the manner and method that Allah has commanded and that which will help in such cases.

"Furthermore, refraining from using these cures or antidotes is, in fact, contradictory to total dependence on Allah, along with contradicting the His Commandments and the Wisdom.

"Not using these cures will weaken reliance and dependence on Allah even though the person might be thinking that he is strengthening his reliance and dependence by abandoning seeking the cure.

"Abandoning the cure is in fact contradictory to the true reliance and dependence, in that, reliance and dependence in essence includes the heart relying on Allah in acquiring what benefits him in his life and his religious affairs, while fending off what harms his life and religion.

"The correct method of reliance and dependence includes seeking these benefits for the slave; otherwise one will not be implementing the Commandments and the Wisdom.

"[We] should not call [our] inability, dependence on Allah, nor consider [our] true reliance and dependence as an inability.”

The stomach

The stomach

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, “The famous statement that: "Diet is the top medicine; and the stomach is the home of disease; give each person what he is used to [of food and medicine]," this is not a Hadith, according to the scholars of Hadith. Rather, it is the words of AI-Harith bin Kaladah, the renowned Arab doctor.

The cause of headaches

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" identified many causes of headaches. These include:

1. When one of the four essential conditions (coldness, hotness, dryness and wetness) becomes predominant
2. Ulcers of the stomach because the cephalic (relating to the head) nerves and the stomach are connected
3. Thick flatulence might accumulate in the stomach then later ascend to the head
4. A tumour in the gastric veins that cause pain in the head, because the stomach and the head are connected
5. When the stomach is full of food if some of the food remains undigested
6. After sexual intercourse because the body will then be weakened and thus exposed to the heat of the air
7. After vomiting due to excessive dryness, or to accumulating flatulence that ascends to the head from the stomach
8. Hot weather
9. Hot air
10. Cold weather and from the vapor that accumulates in the head and which is unable to decompose
11. Lack of sleep
12. Pressure exerted on the head such as when one carries a heavy object on his head.
13. Excessive talking sometimes weakens the mind
14. Excessive movements and sports activity
15. Sadness, depression, obsession and evil thoughts
16. Excessive hunger because flatulence accumulates in the stomach and ascends to the brain
17. A tumour in the cerebral lining sometimes feel as if hammers are constantly pounding in the head
18. A fever, because of the intense heat that the body suffers as a result

Headaches

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, “There are many types of headaches that result from various conditions. Headaches usually start when the head becomes hot due to the pressure of a septic vapor that accumulates near the head and which seeks a way out of the body but fails. Then, the pressure of the vapor intensifies, just as a pot when it is heated but the steam is not able to escape from it. It is a fact that when moisture heats up, it seeks more space to expand. Similarly, the vapor accumulates near the head and then causes a headache in the entire head because it is unable to expand or escape from the body as it heats up. This condition causes a type of dizziness. There are various specific causes for headaches.”

More on honey

Honey

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, “Honey will add softness and beauty to the hair while allowing it to grow longer. When honey is applied to the eye as a Kuhl, it will strengthen weak eyesight. Honey whitens the teeth, preserves their health and the health of the gums, opens the orifice of the veins along with causing the flow of menstruation. Furthermore, licking honey on an empty stomach will help the body get rid of mucus and phlegm.”

Honey

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, “Honey has tremendous medicinal value, because it washes away the harmful substances that might be collected in the veins and the intestines. Honey dissolves excess moisture, is beneficial as a drink and as an ointment, it is of great value for the elderly, and those suffering from phlegm and cold moods or condition (chills). Honey is nutritious, softens one's bowel movement and is a good preserving agent. In addition, honey reduces the bitter taste of other medicines, cleanses the liver and the chest, aids in producing urine, and dissolves the phlegm that is accompanied by coughing.”

The heart

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "The hearts that are connected with the Lord of the Worlds - the Creator of the illness and its cure and He Who governs the affairs of everything and everyone - require special types of remedies that are nothing like those required for the hearts that are far away from their Lord … whenever the soul and the heart become stronger (spiritually), they will cooperate to defeat the illness. How can anyone deny that the most effective cure for the ailment that afflicts the heart and soul occurs by feeling delight and joy when drawing closer to the Lord, loving Him, remembering Him, being totally dedicated and attentive to Him, depending on Him and seeking His help?”

Diet and Temperament

TKDL say,     “… the diet of individuals should be planned accordingly e.g. people with Balghami Mizaj (Phlegmatic temperament) should take hot and dry foods like chicken, egg, onion, garlic, bitter gourd, fenugreek, grapes, walnuts, cloves, saffron, alcohol, etc, while those with Saudavi Mizaj (Melancholic temperament) should take hot and moist food items like mutton, liver, ginger, spinach, mangoes, almonds, pistachios, peaches, banana, wheat, milk, cheese, honey, sugar and salt. People with Damvi Mizaj (Sanguine temperament) should take cold and dry food items like cabbage, cauliflower, tomato, potato, beans, all sour fruits, apples, coconut, peanuts, maize, corn, peas, egg white, yogurt, tea, coffee, pickles, tamarind and vinegar. Safravi Mizaj (Choleretic temperament) people should take cold and moist foods like cucumber, ladyfinger, lettuce, beetroot, pear, fig, watermelon, litchi, rice, milk, coriander, cardamom, sugar cane juice, citrus fruits ice creams and milk shake.”

Eating habits

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, “Physical ailments attack and harm the body and alter its normal functions, because of an excess amount of a substance. This type constitutes the majority of diseases and occurs, because of overeating or consuming more than what the body needs, that which brings about little benefit or is not digested easily, or due to complex meals. When [a human] habitually fills his stomach with these types of foods, he will end up with various types of illnesses, some of which take a long time to remedy. On the other hand, when one consumes moderate amounts of food and eats sensibly, the body will get the maximum benefit from this diet, as opposed to when one overeats.”

A cure for every disease

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has In addition sent down its cure."”

Complexity

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "The most experienced doctors use medications that contain one ingredient. The medication should be similar or related to regular foods that the patient is used to eating. Cultures that consume one or only a few types of food in their regular diet, generally suffer from few illnesses, they should not use compound medicines. Those who live in cities and whose diets are complex need medicines that are a mixture of several substances or ingredients, as these are the types of medicines that most suit their illnesses. The ailments of the people who live in the deserts are usually simple and thus simple medications are suitable for them.”

Simplicity

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "The medical authorities agree that whenever an illness could be fought with nourishment and diet, then medicine should be avoided. In addition, they agree that whenever it is possible to use only one substance or ingredient as a remedy, a compound remedy should not be used.”

The three states of the body

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "… there are three states that the body can be in: normal, abnormal and in the middle (between normal and abnormal). When the state of the body is normal, the body is healthy. The second state occurs when the body is ill, while the third is in the middle, as one extreme does not become the opposite extreme except after passing through a middle stage.”

Aloeswood - Arak

Oud - Agarwood - Aloeswood - Agor - Agoro Gach - Lignum Aloes - Chen Xiang

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Aloeswood is the wood from which the tooth-pick is made. Said Abu Hanffa: aloeswood is the best for the brushing of the teeth, for it renders speech more eloquent, frees the tongue, benefits the weakness due to disease, generates an appetite, and clears the brain. It is better if it is used moistened with rose-water. Tradition says that Ibn ‘Abbas said: In the tooth-pick there are ten benefits: it gives a pleasing perfume to the mouth, strengthens the gums, dissolves phlegm, drives scales away from the teeth, and opens the stomach for food. It is in accordance with [the Sunnah] and it pleases the Lord. It adds to a man’s merit and it gives joy to the angels. Said al-Hadi'qa: When the Prophet, peace be upon him, got up in the morning, he used to clean his mouth with an aloeswood stick.”

Image:  Hafizmuar at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16551002

Warss - Kamala - Ceylon Cornel Tree

Warss - Kamala - Ceylon Cornel Tree

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Warss is dry and hot in the second degree. The best type of warss is the red warss, which is soft in the hand and does not have much bran. Warss is used as an ointment to treat spots, rashes and pimples that appear on the surface of the skin. Warss constipates, has a dyeing quality and helps against leprosy when taken as a drink. Warss has similar benefits to sea qust (costus), and if it is used as an ointment it relieves vitiligo (skin condition of unknown cause, characterized by patchy loss of pigment), rashes, pimples and ulcers. When the clothes are dyed with warss, they strengthen the sexual drive.”

Camphor - Kaafur

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Ibn Samjun said, "There are several kinds of oud and they all carry the general name of Aluwwah. Oud is used in and out of the body and is burned alone or with other substances. There is a medicinal significance when the oud is mixed with camphor as each of them makes the other milder. In addition, burning the oud helps cleanse the air, which is one of the six necessary elements for the body's well-being."

Cinnamon - Darsi'm

As-Suyuti in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Cinnamon is hot and dry in the third degree. It contains within it a fragrance which strengthens the stomach. A mouthwash containing cinnamon on an empty stomach is good for dimness of vision. Cinnamon also adds strength to ointments.”

Cumin - Sanoot

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "As for cumin there is a difference of opinion concerning its nature. Umar bin Bakr As-Saksaki, for instance, said that cumin is either honey or butter extract. Another opinion suggests that cumin is a seed that resembles the Kammon (cumin), as Ibn AI-Arabi has asserted. The fourth and fifth opinions suggest that cumin is the Persian cumin or fennel, according to Abu Hanifah Ad-Daynoori. The sixth opinion suggests that it is the Shibitt (dill), and the seventh opinion suggests that it is the date, according to Abu Bakr bin As-Sunni, the eighth opinion suggests that it is honey that exists in butter-skin, according to Abdul-Latit Al-Baghdadi. Some doctors stated that the last meaning is the most probable. In this case, the Cumin is prepared by blending senna powder with some honey mixed with ghee, as this is better than taking the senna by itself. Then one licks the mixture that contains the senna, as in this case the senna taste will be made milder, because of the honey and butter, which will assist the laxative power of the senna. Allah knows best.”

Quince - Safarjal

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Quince is cold and dry, constipates and benefits the stomach. Sweet quince is cold and dry and is somewhat mild. Sour quince constipates more than sweet quince and is colder and drier. All types of quince quench the thirst, stop vomiting, help produce urine and constipate. Consuming quince before the meal constipates, while consuming it after the meals softens the stool and helps the digestion process … quince jam strengthens the stomach and the liver and relieves the heart and the soul.”

Ginger - Zanjabil

Zanjibeel - Zanjabil - Zinger - Zanfil - Adrak

Ibn Qayyim in "Medicine of the Prophet" said, "Ginger is hot in the second degree and wet in the first degree. It heats the body, helps the ingestion process, softens the stomach mildly, helps open the clogs of the liver that are caused by coldness and wetness and helps against the wetness that causes sight impairment, when it is eaten or used as kohl. [It strengthens sexual power and decomposes the thick gases accumulating in the intestines and the stomach.  [It] is good for the cold temperament of the liver and the stomach. When one takes some ginger along with two measures of sugar and some hot water, it will work as a laxative and will rid the body of harmful excrements. [It] is an effective ingredient in the ointments that dissolve the phlegm.