4. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera was known and used at the time of the Prophet (~) as a skin moisturiser and was even beneficial as a beauty treatment when applied to the face, according to Ibn al-Qayyim. 48 45 Ibn Miijah (sound according to Albani). 46 Budiyanto, 2000, Nov. 47 You can find more natural home remedies and recipes in Janice Cox's book, Natural Beauty at Home and Ambika Manchanda's books : Naturally Beautiful Your Hair and Naturally Beautiful Your Skin . 48 Jauziyah, 2003. Aloe vera is a potent skin hydrator and immediate soothing agent in case of bums. It has an emollient and moisturizing effect on dry skin and is also effective on minor wounds to prevent scarring as well as a treatment for fungal infections and insect bites. Ibn alQayyim recommended blending it with rose water for use as an ointment. Aloe Vera gel can be used as hair gel instead of the commercial synthetic gels.

It does not share their damaging effect on the hair; instead, it gives strength and reduces brittleness. Beautician Janice Cox also suggests some useful preparations that use Aloe Vera in her book Natural Beauty at Home. 49 The immune system In Islam, great care is taken to develop a healthy immune system starting from infancy, for Allah ordered parents to ensure that their children are breastfed for a full two years after birth: ,,£._~ .... ,, v .,,.,, ,;; > ""."i ,, • •> > ,, ,,•,,, A~ ~Mothers shall breastfeed their children for two whole years .. ) (Quran 2: 233) Elsewhere in the Qur' an, Allah reemphasizes that the weaning of the child should be after it reaches its second year: J &b ~ ~ ,:,,~ ~_; ~ G~ ~ ~ ~~~ ~'{1 (~;,_;~~ (\i :0~o..,_,......) ~®~\ ~J1-~~})J~ ~And We have enjoined on a person [to be dutiful and good] to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years; give thanks 49 Cox, 2002, p. 35. to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination) (Quran 31: 14) Research has proved that breast-fed babies are better protected from allergies and common illnesses and are less likely to develop intolerance to certain foods than are bottle-fed babies. Human milk has been found to contain at least one hundred ingredients that infant formula does not have. Colostrum50 is rich in vitamin A, proteins and antibodies (thus acting as the baby's first immunization).

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), breast-fed children are less likely to develop certain chronic diseases later on in their lives, such as diabetes, some cancers and certain stomach and intestinal diseases 51 . In addition, two fatty acids found naturally in breast milk - DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) - are important components of cell membranes forming the human brain and the retina of the eye. Another valuable piece of advice concerning immunity was given by lbn al-Qayyim to doctors stating that if a disease had already progressed, the doctor should not resort to drugs for treatment. Ibn alQayyim reasoned that if medication is given, the body will be busy dealing with it when it should instead be concentrating on fighting the disease. Thus, according to Ibn al-Qayyim, at that stage the doctor should be concerned primarily with strengthening the body's defences. 52 To understand how this advice can increase the effectiveness of the immune system's capacities, we have to learn how this system works: When a foreign substance enters the human body, its marker protein (called an antigen) binds to the surface of specified immune 5 ° Colostrom is the clear yellowish fluid secreted from the breasts for two to four days after deli very. 51 Duyff, 2002. 52 Jauziyah, 2003. system cells called B-lymphocytes, which are then activated and multiply rapidly to form an 'army' of cells which differentiate into what are called plasma cells, the antibody-producing 'factories'.

Plasma cells produce a highly specific antibody at a surprisingly high rate (about 2000 antibodies per second), then the plasma cells die within four to five days, leaving a high level of antibodies in the blood whose role is to deactivate and destroy the invading antigen. After that, another type of lymphocyte called suppressor T-cells release chemicals that suppress the activity of the immune response to wind it down and finally stop it after the invaders have been successfully destroyed. All the involved immune cells then die away except some specialized lymphocytes called memory cells which remain to provide a memory for the encountered antigen in case of any subsequent invasion. This enables the body to deal with future attacks much faster and more efficiently with minimal symptoms of discomfort, because all the preparation for the defence has been already made. 53 The role of antibiotic drugs is to attack the bacteria directly, bypassing all the natural stages of defence by the body. Sometimes the use of antibiotics is a must, and can be life saving as in cases of compromised immunity or in epidemics, but when they are taken regularly, they suppress the immune system, in addition to their harmful effect on the body's natural flora, 54 leading to the overgrowth of yeasts and Candida in the intestine.

Sometimes people resort to anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of infections, forgetting that the inflammation is a natural part of 53 Marieb, 2003. 54 These are beneficial bacteria living in the body. the healing process and a crucial alarm system for natural immunity to perform its job. These anti-inflammatory drugs - especially the steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like cortisol, hydrocortisone and prednisone - suppress the body's immunity, causing a rapid reduction in the number of lymphocytes. So as we can see, it is definitely better to give the body the chance to fight its own war against disease, so that it becomes stronger and healthier over time. This fight may take some more time to show its effects compared to the antibiotic 'Miracle Cure', it may even cause some temporary unpleasant symptoms, and you may need more rest, but when it is over, you will definitely end up with a strong and courageous 'army' within your own body ready to defend against any future attacks. Ibn al-Qayyim stated in his book Medicine of the Prophet that the physician should choose the simplest type of medicine for the treatment and should not prescribe medication until s/he investigates the options of food and diet.

He believed that treatment with food instead of medicine was a true sign of the physician's professional skills.55 We cannot talk about the immune system without mentioning the lymph. This is a clear, colourless fluid that contains white blood cells drained from tissues in the body. The lymphatic system is an important body system that is often ignored. It is composed of lymphatic vessels transporting fluids that have escaped from the blood vessels along with lymphocytes (immune cells), enzymes, fats and hormones. The system also comprises the lymphatic organs 56 which house phagocytic cells (capable of absorbing foreign matter) and lymphocytes essential for the body's defence and fighting 55 Jauziyah, 2003 . 56 The lymphatic organs include lymph nodes , spleen, thymus, tonsils and peyer' s patches in the intestines. disease.

The lymph nourishes cells, eliminates waste, defends the body and helps in tissue regeneration. Unlike the circulatory system (the blood vessels), the lymphatic system has no 'pump': the lymph is transported by the action of the skeletal muscles, movement of the bowels and the pressure changes in the thorax during breathing. 57 To effectively perform its mission, the lymph has to circulate properly throughout the body. Islamic teaching surely enhances this by advising regular physical activity and proper breathing, as mentioned above. Still another Islamic practice plays an important role in stimulating lymphatic drainage, and that is ablution (wutjoo') and the full body wash or shower (ghusl). The gentle steady massaging applied along the path of the lymph-collecting vessels has been found to help lymphatic circulation and increase the activity of lymph glands (the 'forts' of immune cells) via the manual stimulation of the whole system.

Imam AI:imed reported that the Prophet (~ ) described the actions performed in ablution as a form of massage. According to the opinion of Imam Malik, rubbing or massaging the parts of the body that are washed during ablution is an obligatory act, in addition to being from the Sunnah. Massaging should be performed also in ghusl (ritual bathing), where we are taught to massage the whole body starting with the head, then the right side followed by the left side of the body. The water should reach every part of the skin and hair as there are authentic hadiths that state that this is how Prophet Muhammad (*) used to perform ghusl. The lymphatic vessels (lymphatics) form one-way channels in which lymph flows only towards the heart, where it is collected in the veins through two large lymphatic ducts: 58 57 Marieb, 2003. 58 Ibid. •!• The right lymphatic duct, which drains the lymph from the right arm and the right side of the head and thorax (the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen). •!• The thoracic duct, which receives lymph from the rest of the body.

Can this explain the wisdom behind the requirement that we always start with the right side of the body? Allah knows. Musculo-skeletal system Most of us nowadays live a sedentary lifestyle. Many of us work sitting at a desk, use machines to perform many household activities, take the elevator instead of climbing the stairs, and ride comfortably in a car instead of walking. Our bodies are not designed to sit around all day: low activity levels compromise our health and lead to different degenerative diseases as arteriosclerosis, 59 osteoporosis, muscle weakness and even diabetes.

The early Muslims did not lead the kind of sedentary life we do; they walked or rode horses and camels for their transportation; they worked hard farming their lands or as commercial dealers - even the women worked hard in the house and the fields, cleaning, cooking, washing and tending the crops. No one is asking you to change your job, sell your car, or throw away your dishwasher and washing machine. Still, you can include some activities in your daily routine without compromising your comfort. For instance, park the car some distance away from your destination and enjoy a walk, then climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator; visit your friend instead of calling him or her on the phone, go to the supermarket yourself instead of asking for delivery. 59 Arteriosclerosis is the loss of elasticity and thickening of the walls of the arteries that happens especially in old age. In the Qur' an, Allah ( ~) orders humankind to walk on the earth and eat from its fine produce: ~He it is, Who has made the earth subservient to you [easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it], so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision, .. ) (Quran 67: 15) Many of our Islamic practices require us to exert a certain amount of physical effort, ranging from the highly demanding physical activity of the pilgrimage (Hajj) with all its rites and obligations, or simple daily requirements like helping other people achieve their needs, visiting the sick, following funerals, walking to the mosque to perform congregational prayers and Friday (jumu 'ah) prayers.

Exercise is essential for building a healthy body and spirit. Physical activity in general enhances the performance of the heart, circulatory and respiratory systems, and increases strength, suppleness and endurance. 60 It stimulates the flow of the lymphatic system helping in the elimination of body waste, boosting natural immunity and regenerating body cells and tissues. In addition, exercise enhances the production of natural endorphins, which are hormonelike substances in the brain responsible for the feeling of satisfaction and wellbeing and relieving stress. Exercise also improves sexual performance by boosting energy and increasing libido61 . 60 Hensrud, 2006. 61 McManners, 2004. Remember that Muslims are urged to teach their children different sports: "Teach your children javelin throwing, swimming and horse riding." This helps them build a healthy body and thus a healthy mind.

Ibn al-Qayyim, in Medicine of the Prophet, summarized the importance of exercise in a way that modem science is beginning to prove correct. He said that the body cannot get rid of all the remains of food and drink consumed, and this unexcreted waste accumulates in the body, clogging different vessels. Physical activity, he taught, was the best way to prevent the accumulation of that morbid matter, as moving heats the organs, aiding them to get rid of any unexcreted 'leftovers'. By exercising regularly, the body would be able to optimize its food intake and the joints, muscles and ligaments would become stronger and firmer. According to Ibn al-Qayyim, moderate physical activity - which we now call aerobic exercise - improved immunity, nourished the organs, and lifted the mood. He further stressed the importance of choosing the right type of exercise, which should be performed under the proper conditions. 62 Exercise can be classified into three main types: aerobic exercises, muscle building or strength exercises and stretching exercises: