Transcribed from the Islaahi Majlis conducted on 10/11/2022
It is mentioned in a narration of Bukhari Sharif, “Allah Ta’ala did not send down any illness on the surface of the Earth, except that Allah Ta’ala sent the cure with it,” meaning that, for every illness that Allah Ta’ala sent down, Allah Ta’ala sent down the cure for it as well.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه عَنِ النبيِّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – قالَ:
“ما أَنزَلَ الله دَاءً إلا أَنزَلَ لَهُ شِفَاءً”. (صحيح البخاري)
Hadrat Jaabir Radiallahu Anhu narrates in another Hadith, ” For every illness, there is a cure for it,” irrespective of which illness it may be. The Hadith further states, ” And when there is conformity between the medication and the illness, then the cure is written with the permission of Allah Ta’ala.”
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «لِكُلِّ دَاءٍ دَوَاءٌ فَإِنْ أَصَابَ الدَّاءَ الدَّوَاءُ بَرِئَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ» هَذَا حَدِيثٌ صَحِيحٌ عَلَى شَرْطِ مُسْلِمٍ وَلَمْ يُخَرِّجَاهُ ” (مستدرك للحاكم)
In this Hadith, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam makes it clear that one will only be cured with the permission of Allah Ta’ala. From this we also understand that there is no medication in the world that can cure a person by itself. If a person is cured, it is only because Allah Ta’ala put the effect of Shifa in that medication. There are times when a form of medication works for one person, but in another instance, it doesn’t work for someone else with the same medical condition. This clearly proves that cure lies in the hands of Almighty Allah.
Sunnah to seek treatment
It is mentioned in a narration “Allah Ta’ala sends down an illness. Together with the illness, Allah Ta’ala send the cure. Then Allah Ta’ala sends an Angel with a barrier. The angel then places the barrier between the cure and the person seeking treatment.” A person will start the treatment but due to the barrier placed in between, he will not be cured. However, when Allah Ta’ala instructs for that barrier to be removed, immediately the medication will take effect. From here we understand that, when Allah Ta’ala sends down cure, it is Mustahab and a Sunnah of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to use the means of medication. If a person chooses to forego treatment and he passes away, he will not be sinful. This is the view of majority of the Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum and the Ulama.
The medication is only but a means; Allah Ta’ala is the sole Curer. For example, if a person is hungry, he can eat but it does not mean that the food will satiate him. That food can also become a means of poison to his body. On the other hand, a person can eat to his fill and feel satisfied and make Shukr to Allah Ta’ala.
Adopting the external means
These are all the external means and above this is the system of Allah Ta’ala which overrides everything. Our focus should be on this system of Allah. No one had greater Tawakkul (trust) in Allah Ta’ala than Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Yet, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam also utilized these means. Therefore, to use means is in accordance with placing our Tawakkul (trust) in Allah Ta’ala as well.
Shifa in three things
Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned in a Hadith: ” Allah Ta’ala has kept Shifa in three things; cupping (with a razor blade)…”
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ – رضى الله عَنهما – عَنِ النبيِّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – قالَ:
“الشِّفَاءُ فِى ثَلاَثَةٍ؛ فِي شَرْطَةِ مِحْجَمٍ، أَوْ شَرْبَةِ عَسَلٍ، أَوْ كَيَّةٍ بِنَارٍ، وَأَنْهَى أُمَّتِى عَنِ الْكَىِّ”. (صحيح البخاري)
Cupping is used to extract the toxic blood which causes illness in the body. It is also found to be effective when carried out on Sunnah days of the Islamic months. On the auspicious journey of Me’raj, it is mentioned that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was advised to instruct the Ummah to practice cupping. Many cures for illnesses have been placed in cupping by Allah Ta’ala.
The Sunnah Days of cupping are the 17th, 19th and 21st of every month. However, there is no prohibition from doing cupping on other dates. Regarding cupping on a Saturday, there is a weak narration that states that one is prohibited from cupping on Wednesday and Saturday. Ali Bin Madini Rahimahullah states that a weak narration which comes to us from Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam should not be rejected even though it may be a Mursal narration (where a narrator is omitted in the end who can either be a Tabi’ee or Sahaabi). A group of people rejected the narration of Zuhri wherein Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam states. “Whoever does cupping on Saturday or Wednesday and is afflicted with leprosy should blame himself.” There were several people that tried cupping on these days and were afflicted with leprosy. In conclusion, one may refrain from doing cupping on Wednesday and Saturday as a precautionary measure due to the narration.
نهى عن الحجامة يوم الأربعاء ويوم السبت وقال: من فعل ذلك فأصابه وضح فلا يلومن إلا نفسه (التخريج الصغير والتحرير الكبير ص192 ج3)
Honey is a cure for illnesses
The Hadith mentions further: “…in drinking honey…”
The honey referred to is that of pure honey and not honey extracts from sugar, syrups and synthetic means. A Saahabi came to Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and said that his brother had diarrhoea. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam advised him to give honey to his brother. The Sahaabi did so, but it seemed to worsen the diarrhoea. He returned to Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and explained that the condition had worsened. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam advised him to go back and give him more honey. This continued for several attempts. When the Sahaabi returned for the fourth time and Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam instructed him to give his brother honey, he said that it was not helping. On this Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “Allah Ta’ala has spoken the truth, and the body of your brother has lied.” Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam could have referred to the Quraanic Ayah where Allah Ta’ala speaks of the bee and the Shifa (cure) in its honey, not only for the Mu’mineen but for the entire mankind, that Allah Ta’ala has spoken the truth.
In this incident, it could be that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was instructed through Wahi to administer honey. And in that honey is Shifa (cure) for the Sahaabi’s brother, and so Allah Ta’ala has spoken the truth. Commenting on the “body has lied” means that, perhaps there might be a bug or some infection in the body and once it clears out, the effect of the cure of the honey will be seen. So, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam instructed the Sahaabi to give his brother honey again and on this occasion the brother was cured.
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيد: أَنَّ رَجُلاً أَتَى النبيَّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم -، فَقَالَ: أَخِي يَشْتَكِي بَطْنَهُ (وفي روايةٍ: إن أخي اسْتَطْلَقَ بَطْنُه 7/ 18)، فقالَ:
“اسْقِهِ عَسَلاً”. ثُمَّ أَتَى الثانِيَةَ، فَقالَ: “اسْقِهِ عَسَلاً”. ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ الثَّالِثَةَ؛ فَقالَ: “اسْقِهِ عَسَلاً”، ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ؛ فَقَالَ: [إني] فَعَلْتُ، [فلم يَزِدْهُ إلا استطلاقاً]، فَقالَ:”صَدَقَ اللهُ، وَكَذَبَ بَطْنُ أَخِيكَ، اسْقِهِ عَسَلاً”، فَسَقَاهُ، فَبَرَأَ. (صحيح البخاري)
In Mazaahirul Haq, it is mentioned that if a person is sick and a cure can’t be found, he should request a portion of the money from his wife’s Mahr and purchase honey with it. This honey should then be mixed with rainwater and be given to the sick person to drink. Insha’Allah there is hope that Allah Ta’ala will put Shifa in this drink and the person will be cured.
Branding with fire
The third means of attaining cure mentioned in the hadith: “…Branding with fire…” In the previous times, when a cure was not found, iron would be heated in the fire and then used to brand a person. The Hadith advises us that this method of Shifa is used as a last resort. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, “I prohibit my Ummah from branding.”
Black Seed (Kulunji)
In another Hadith, Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates from Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam: “Shifa from every illness, Allah Ta’ala has kept in the Black Seed (Kulunji), except death.”
نْ أبي سلمةَ وسعيدِ بن المسيبِ: أن أبَا هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه أَخبرَهُمَا أَنَّهُ سَمعَ رسول اللهِ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – يَقولُ:”في الحَبَّةِ السَّوْداءِ شِفاءٌ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ، إلا السَّام”.
قالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ: والسَّامُ: الموْتُ، وَالحَبَّةُ السَّوْدَاءُ: الشُّونيزُ. (صحيح البخاري)
The commentators of Hadith have mentioned here that Kulunji seeds are dry and contain heat. Therefore, if there is moisture in the body, the seeds will absorb it. For example, if a person suffers from excess phlegm, the use of the Kulunji will dry it up. Other commentators have regarded the Hadith as “general”-that irrespective of whatever illness it may be, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned that any illness will be cured through this means.
A Blind woman is cured
On a trip to America many years ago, our host mentioned that his mother was in Pakistan who lost her sight. She had so much of Yaqeen (conviction) that Allah Ta’ala has kept Shifa in Kulunji that, she would crush the seeds and extract the oil from it. She would then rub that oil over her eyes. Allah Ta’ala restored her eyesight through His kindness.
Tibb-un-Nabawi verses Western medication.
On one hand, we have generic Western medication and on the other hand, we have Tibb-un-Nabawi (Prophetic medication). Generic medicine is produced by pharmaceutical companies whereas Tibbun Nabawi comes from:
1) Allah Ta’ala
2) The heart of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
3) Complete perfection in intelligence
The commentators of Hadith mention that, when opting for western medication, there is no guarantee of cure in it. There was a time when Doctors offered Aspirin as a means of helping heart patients as it thins the blood. A while later, they retracted from this. After some time, they reinstated this finding. In contrast, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam spoke of the Shifa that can be found in the above-mentioned three things viz. Cupping, honey and Kulunji, 1400 years ago and to this day, no retraction has been made and it has even been accepted by the Western world.
Cure from Fever
In a Hadith, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “Fever is from the heat of the fire of Jahannam. Cool it down with water.”
إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّ الْحُمَّى مِنْ فَيْحِ جَهَنَّمَ فَأَبْرِدُوهَا بِالْمَاءِ (المعجم الكبير للطبراني)
At the time of Zawaal, it is generally the hottest part of the day. Particularly in the Middle East, to go out for Zohr at that time, temperatures exceed 50°C. So, it said that this Hadith could be in reference to either a person who is ill with fever, or it refers to those people who live in hot countries, where Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is advising them to use water to cool themselves down.
It is mentioned in Mazaahirul Haq, that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam taught us to use water when afflicted with fever. One way of doing this is, if a person has fever, he should distribute water amongst the poor people. By assisting them in this way, Allah Ta’ala will cure him.
Oud-ul-Hindi and Qustul Bahri
It is mentioned in a Hadith regarding people who suffer from chest or lung inflammation. In previous years, the mothers would insert their finger into the child’s throat, causing the child to vomit. It was a way to remove excess phlegm and mucous and bring relief to the child. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam advised against this method and told them to use Oud- ul-Hindi instead. In another narration, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said to use Qustul Bahri. This is from a tree, and when it is burned and the smoke inhaled, it helps to kill all germs and bacteria.
عَنْ أْمِّ قَيْسٍ بِنْتِ مِحْصَنٍ قَالَتْ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – يَقُولُ:
“عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذَا الْعُودِ الْهِنْدِىِّ، فَإِنَّ فِيهِ سَبْعَةَ أَشْفِيَةٍ. يُسْتَعَطُ بِهِ مِنَ الْعُذْرَةِ ، وَيُلَدُّ بِهِ مِنْ ذَاتِ الْجَنْبِ”. (صحيح البخاري)
عَنْ أَنَسٍ رضي الله عنه؛ أَنَّ رسولَ اللهِ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – قالَ:
“إِنَّ أَمْثَلَ مَا تَدَاويتُمْ بِهِ الحِجَامَةُ وَالقُسْطُ البَحْرِيُّ”، وَقالَ:”لا تُعَذِّبُوا صِبْيِانَكُمْ بالغمزِ مِنَ العُذْرَةِ، وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالقُسْطِ”. (صحيح البخاري)
Consuming Ajwa
Hadrat Aishah Radiallahu Anha mentioned to eat Ajwa Aaliyah as Shifa (cure) can be found therein. Whoever consumes 7 dates of Ajwa every morning then neither poison nor magic will afflict them for the day.
حدثنا عبد الله بن نمُير حدثنا هشام عن عائشة بنت سعد عن سعد قال: قال رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم -: “من تَصَّبح بسبع تمراتٍ من عجوة لم يضرَّه ذلك اليومَ سمٌّ ولا سِحر”. (مسند احمد)
Collectively, all these methods of Shifa are placed under Tibb-un-Nabawi. There are many others mentioned but we have selected only a few that have great effect. May Allah Ta’ala grant us Taufeeq, Aameen!
