Part 12

Shubrum is among the medications that doctors do not advise people to use because it is a very strong

laxative. In the Haditb, the Prophet sg described Shubrum as being hot and a strong laxative.

Senna is a plant that grows in AI-Hijaz (Western Arabia) and the best kind of it grows in Mecca, Senna is hot and dry in tue first degree and it is a good, mild medication that does not cause any side effects. Senno helps against bile and black bile ailments and strengthens the heart, which is another good quality that this medication contains. Senno is useful against melancholic obsession and corporal incisions, relaxes the muscles and improves the hair. Senno In addition helps against lice, headache, mange, pustules, rashes and epilepsy. It is better to cook the Senno whole and drink three measures of its soup than cooking it crushed. In addition, it is better to cook the Senno mixed with violet flowers and red raisins, after removing the seeds,

Ar-Razi said, "Senna and fumitory help extract mature humors (bodily wastes) and helps against leprosy and rashes, when one takes four to seven measures of each remedy."

As for Sonoot (cumin), there is a difference of opinion concerning its nature. Umar bin Bakr As-Saksaki, for instance, said that Sonoot is either honey or butter extract. Another opinion suggests that Sonoot is a seed that resembles the Kammon (cumin), as Ibn Al-Arabi has asserted. The fourth and fifth opinions suggest that

——-— The Prophetic Mecicine

Sonoot is the Persian cumin or fennel. according to Abu Hanifah Ad-Daynocri. The sixth opinion sugyests 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-Latif Al-Baghdadi, Some doctors In addition stated that the last meaning is the most probable. In this case, the Sanoot is prepared by blending Senno 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 In addition assist the laxative power of the Senna. Allah knows best.

The Prophet's guidance on treating skin rashes and scabies caused by mites

In the Sahihan it is narrated that Anas said, "The Messenger of Allah b has allowed Abdur Rahman bin Awf and Az-Zubayr bin Al'Awwam to wear silk garments because of a skin rash they had." fn another narration, "Abdur Rahman bin Awf and Az-Zubayr bin Al-Awwam complained to the Prophet b during a battle that they had mites, and he allowed them to wear silk garments which I saw them wearing."

There are two areas of interest regarding this Hadith, one in the area of Figh (islamic Jurisprudence)

In the area of Figh (Islamic Jurisprudence), the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah is that wearing silken garments is allowed for women and disallowed for men, except when there is a legitimate need. For instance, [men are allowed to wear silken garments] in cold weather, when one-has ors a sitken garment to wear and when complaining from mange, rashes, mites or lice, as evident by the last Hadith.

According to Imam Ahmad and Shafi'i, wearing silken garments is allowed {for men if a necessity warrants it]. The permission given to some Muslims {such as wearing silken garments for men in this case] due to special circumstances applies te all those who face similar circumstances.

Several scholars said that the Ahadeeth that disallow silken garments for men apply in general. They said that the Hadith (narrated above) might entail a specific permission for only Abdur-Rahman bin '‘Awf and Az-Zubayr. They say that it is possible, though, that this permission applies to other Muslims. When there is a probability, adhering to the general text is warranted. This is why some of the narrators of this Hadith commented, "I do not know if the permission applies to whoever comes after them (Abdur-Rahman bin Awf and Az-Zubayr)."

——— The Prophetic Medicine

The correct opinion is that the permission is general in its indication and that there is no evidence that it is specific or restricted. Similarly, the Prophet st once said to Abu Burdah, "This permission applies to you and none else after you." In addition, Allah said to His Prophet * regarding the woman who offered herself in marriage to the Prophet b:

"A privilege for you only, not for the (rest of) the believers."

Since disallowing wearing silken garments for men is a precautionary measure, it is allowed in certain situations and for a benefit that warrants it. For instance, gazing at women is disallowed as a precautionary measure, but it is allowed when there is a real need. Such is the case with disallowing performing voluntary prayers at certain times while the sun is rising or setting], to prevent even a hint of resemblance between Muslims and sun worshippers. Yet, in some cases, it is allowed for Muslims to offer voluntary prayers during these times for a real need and benefit. We have explained the cases when wearing silken garments is allowed in our book on this subject, At-Jabiri.

Medically, silk is produced by an animal and isa remedy. Silk has many benefits, such as soothing and strengthening the heart and helping relieve several of its ailments. Silk In addition helps against black bile and

whatever ailments it might cause. Further, silk strengthens the eyesight when used as eyeliner. Raw silk, which is used in preparing medications and remedies, is hot and dry in the first degree. When silk is used in clothes, it is mild and heats the body. Sometimes it could chill the body.

Ar-Razi said, "Silk is hotter than linen, colder than cotton and develops the flesh. Every type of thick clothes weakens the body and hardens the skin."

There are three types of clothes, one that brings warmth and In addition heats the body. Another type of clothes brings warmth but no heat to the body. The third type does not bring warmth or heat. There is no type that brings heat but not warmth to those wearing it. For instance, clothes made of wool and animal hair elevate body temperature and bring warmth to the skin. On the other hand, silk, Kittan (linen) and cotton garments only bring warmth to the skin. Kittan clothes are cold and dry, wool clothes are hot and dry, while cotton garments are moderate. Silken garments are softer and less hot than wool. The author of Al-Minhaj stated that wearing silk, "Does not bring as much warmth as cotton, because it is milder."

Every type of soft, polished clothes heat the body less and is less effective in helping the decomposition process. That is why it is better that this type of clothes is

———— The Prophetic Medicine

worn during summer and in hot areas.

Since silk.n garments are neither dry nor thick as the other types of clothes, they help as a treatment for skin rashes that result from dry, thick material. Hence, the Prophet “ allowed Az-Zubair and Abdur-Rahman to wear silken garments due to their skin rash. In addition, silken garments are the least hospitable to mites or lice, for it is not the best environment where mites live and thrive.

The types of body wear that neither elevates the body temperature nor brings warmth are made of iron, lead, wood, sand, and so forth.

If one asks, "Since silk provides the best type of clothes and the most suitable for the body, why was it prohibited for men) by the Islamic legislation, which is the mot honorable, perfect legislation and which allows the good and pure things and only disallows the impure things?" We should mention that this is a question that the Muslims differ regarding its answer.

Those who deny that there is wisdom behind the Islamic legislation do not even need to answer this question.

As for those who affirm that there is a wisdom behind the Islamic legislation, who are the majority, say that Islam disallowed silken garments for men so that they

observe patience and abandon wearing them for Allah's Sake. In this case, they will be rewarded by Allah, especially since there are other types of clothes to wear.

Some people say that silk was created for the benefit of women, such as the case with gold. Hence, silk is prohibited for men so that they do not imitate women. Some Muslims say that silk was prohibited because it leads to arrogance and pride.

Others say that silk was disallowed because of its sofiness on the skin that leads to feminine behavior while weakening manhed and masculinity. Hence, you rarely see a man wearing silken garments who is not affected by its softness by inadvertently imitating feminine behavior and softness, even if he was among the most masculine men. Wearing silken garments will certainly diminish the manly qualities and masculinity, although these qualities will not disappear all together. As for those who do not comprehend these facts, let them submit to Allah's wise decisions. Finally, we should state that according to the correct opinion, young boys should not be allowed to wear silken garments, because they will acquire feminine behavior.

An-Nasa'y narrated that the Prophet b said:

"Allah has allowed silk and gold for the females of my Ummah (Muslim Nation) and disallowed them for the

——— The Prophetic Medicine

males of my Ummah (Muslim Nation)." In another narration, the Prophet b said:

"Wearing silk and gold is disallowed for the males of my Nation and allowed for the females."

Al-Bokhary In addition narrated that the Messenger of Allah b has disallowed wearing and sitting on silken garments and Dibaj (pure silken clothes), and then added, "It is for them (whoever wears them among men) in this life and for you in the Life Hereafter."

The Prophet's guidance on treating pleurisy

The doctors divide pleurisy into two types, real and unreal. The first type is an infected growth that appears in the pleura that coats the ribs. The second type causes a similar pain and attacks the pleura as a result of thick, congested flatulence between the peritoneum's (smooth transparent membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and part of the pelvic region). The pain caused by the unreal pleurisy is acute while the real pleurisy causes stinging pain.

The author of the Qonoon said, "Sometimes, the flank (of the body), the peritoneum, chest muscles and ribs and surrounding areas suffer from an extremely painful growth called pleurisy. Sometimes, there could be pain in these same areas of the body but not as a result of

growth but of accumulating harmful gasses (flatulence),