Part 18

Puncturing or incising the tumor has two benefits,

extracting the harmful substance and preventing more harmful substances from accumulating around the tumor making it even worse.

The Hadith stated that the Prophet b ordered a doctor to incise a tumor on a man's abdomen that was filled with putrid or rotten liquid.

The scholars have conflicting opinions regarding incising tumors, some of them did not allow it because it is dangerous in their opinion. Other doctors said that there is no cure for dropsy except incision. As we have stated, dropsy is of three types: drum dropsy, which causes the stomach to swell with accumulated gases, that if one pounds on the stomach it will produce a similar sound as the drum.

In addition, there is the fleshy dropsy that causes the flesh to swell accompanied by phiegm that spreads throughout the body through the blood. This type is worse than the first one.

Third, there is the dropsy that causes the accumulation of toxic materials in the lower part of the stomach. When one moves in this case, his stomach will produce a sound similar to the shaking of a water skin. Most doctors consider this type of dropsy the worst, while others consider the fleshy dropsy the worst of the three

——— The Prophetic Medicine

Curing the third type of dropsy requires extracting the accumulating water by incision, which is similar to extracting spoiled blood by puncturing the veins. Yet, this procedure is dangerous, although the Hadith, if proven authentic, allows using this method. Allah has the best knowledge.*

The Prophet's guidance _on_treating the sick by encouraging them and strengthening their resolve

Ibn Majah narrated that Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri said, The Messenger of Allah b said:

"When you visit a sick person, say good words to him, for the sake of Allah for although that does not prevent any harm, it still brings relief to the patient's heart." At-Termezey In addition narrated the Hadith].

This Hadith contains one of the most honorable

. vedies, that is, relieving the anxiety of the sick with

- good words that will enhance his resolve and

strerzin. In this case, the inner energy would be elevated

and would help the body against the disease, which is the best the doctor could wish for.

Relieving the anxiety of the sick person and bringing relief to his heart has a surprisingly good effect in curing the body and lessening the effects of an ailment. It will In addition bring strength to the heart.and the soul

of the sick person, further encouraging the body to fight the disease. People have witnessed that the sick feel refreshed and energized in the company of those they like and respect when they visit them. This is one of the benefits gained from visiting the sick, which carries four types of benefits: for the sick person, the visitor, the sick person's family and the general public.

We mentioned before that the Prophet $& used to ask the sick about what they complain from and how they felt. He would In addition ask them about what they had a taste for and would place his hand on the forehead, or even on the chest, asking Allah to bring about whatever benefits them in their condition. Sometimes, the Prophet as would perform ablution and then pour the water he used on the sick person. Sometimes, the Prophet b would say to the sick person:

"It is alright. You will be purified (cured). Allah willing."

This, indeed, is the kindest way to treat the sick when visiting them.

The Prophet's guidance on treating various illnesses with food and medicine the body is used to

This is In addition one of the major pillars and the most beneficial parts of the science of medicine. When

—— The Prophetic Medicine

the doctor errs in prescribing the correct medicine, the patient will be harmed while the doctor is thinking that he is benefiting him. Only the most ignorant doctors will fail to recognize the importance of using the most favorable types of foods and medicines that are the most suitable tor different patients. For instance, the Bedouins neither benefit from Nenuphar (similar to carrot and used as a drink) or rose-syrup, nor do these remedies have any effect on them, nor would the majority of the medicines used in villages and cities have much effect on them. This fact is known through experience and observation.

Those who read through this book will find that the Prophetic medicine and remedies are all suitable and favorable to the sick person and what he is accustomed to of food and medicine. We have stated that this is a pillar of the science of medicine, as the best medical authorities concur. For instance, the renowned Arab doctor, AIHarith bin Kaladah, said, "Diet is the best cure; and the stomach is the residence of ailment; and give each body what it is accustomed to (of food and medicine)." In another statement, Al-Harith said, 'Azm is a cure,’ meaning hunger. ‘n fact, going on a diet is a better cure for plethoric illnesses (having an excess of blood in the body and therefore looking reddish), except when there is a fear that the condition would flare up with septic accumulation and aggravate the illness,

Al-Harith stated that the stomach is the residence of the disease. The stomach is a curved organ that looks like a gourd and consists of three layers of delicate and neural components called fibers and surrounded by flesh. The fibers of one layer are arranged longitudinally, while the second layer's fibers are horizontal and the third slanting. The tip of the stomach has more nerves, while the bottom has more flesh and its interior is coated and fuzzy. The stomach is located in the middle of the abdomen, leaning more to the right side, created in this shape by the wisdom of the All-Wise Creator. The stomach is indeed the residence of the ailment, it is the center of the digestion and maturing process of all food and drink. After that, the digested food descends to the liver and the intestines. Meanwhile, excess amounts of partially digested substances that the stomach was not able to completely digest remain, either because the amount of nourishment was excessive, spoiled, or was not consumed in the proper order, or all of these reasons. Some of this excrement remains in the stomach and the body is not be able to completely discard them, and this is why the stomach is the residence of ailments, Al-Harith indicates the importance of eating jess food and preventing the heart from fulfilling its desires.

As for one's being accustomed [to certain things and foods] it is a part of the human nature. Habit has such a great influence on the person and on his body, that if we

—— The Prophetic Medicine

conduct an experiment on several people who have the same characteristics, the result will vary co.isiderably. For instance, three young, hot-tempered men, one of them is used to eating hot foods, the second is used to cold foods, while the third man is accustomed to mild foods. W.aen the first person eats honey, it would not harm him, unlike the second person, while the third person would be slightly bothered. Habit, therefore, is an important basis on which preserving the health and healing ailments relies. That is why the Prophet b said that each person should be treated according to what he is accustomed to of medicine and food.

The Prophet's guidance on treating the sick with the simplest types of food

In the Sahihain it is narrated that A'esha said that when a relative of hers would die the women would gather on that occasion and then would depart except for her family members and close associates. She would then order that milk soup be prepared. Then, Tharid would be made and she would pour the milk soup on it. A’esha would then ask them to eat saying, "I heard the Messenger of Allah b saying:

"Milk soup brings relief to the heart of the sick and takes away some of the anguish.”

Milk soup, means the kind of soup that is similar

to milk in consistency. This is a beneficial food suitable for the sick, especially when well cooked until acquiring a soft consistency. The milk like soups, are as beneficial as barley soup, even better. Barely soup is made of whole barley grains, while the milk like soup is made of ground barley flour with its bran.

We mentioned that observing the habits and customs of a certain sick person benefits them with a favorable cure and nourishment. The people in AIl-Medina were accustomed to eating barley soup ground not whole, thus making it more nutritious and beneficial for them. The doctors in cities recommend the use of whole barley grains, because the soup in this case is lighter and easier for the ailing person to digest. The people who live in cities are used to comfort and easy life and that is why ground barley grain is heavy on their stomachs.

Whole grain barley soup digests quickly, provides good nutrition, and cleanses the stomach, especially when taken while it is still hot. In this case, it's cleansing and digestive qualities are stronger and the soup will In addition develop its instinctive heat quicker and will soften the outer layers of the stomach.

The Prophet's statement that the Milk like soup takes away some of the sadness refers to the effect of sadness on the mood and in weakening the instinctive well being, which in turn affects the soul and the heart.

——— The Prophetic Medicine

Milk like soup brings strength to one's inner energy and thus the body will be able to rid itself of the sadness and grief that took it over.

We could In addition say that some foods bring relief to the heart, such as the type of soup mentioned above, because they posses a special quality that effect people's mood and brings them relief and comfort. Allah knows best.

We might In addition say that the sick person's strength becomes weaker because of his grief and sadness that will translate to dryness in the body and the stomach due to the scarcity of food. The milk like soup brings wetness and strength to the stomach, which will In addition bring relief to the heart. In addition, the sick person may complain from an accumulation of harmful flatulence or phlegm in his stomach. The milk like soup will dissolve these harmful substances or dilute them, so that the pain and harm they cause are diminished, especially for those accustomed to eating barley bread, such as the people of Al-Medina. During that time, barley bread was the staple diet for the people of Al-Medina as wheat was scarce at that time.