Part 2

In additior.. 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.

There are internal reasons for the abnormal state the body passes through, for the body consists of coldness, hotness, wetness and dryness. In addition, there

are external reasons for the abnormal state, which could find the body susceptible and affect it.

The potential harm inflicted on the body could result from bad temperament, that was not moderated, an ailment that attacks an organ, or a general weakness in the overall power of the body, or even the soul, which sustains such power, The ailment could be caused by an increase in what should not be increased, or a decrease in what should not be decreased. In addition, a break in the connection could be the cause, where the connection is essential, or due to a connection between that which should not be connected. The ailment could In addition occur due to an extension of what should not be extended or an alteration and change in the shape or place of some of the body organs.

The doctor is able to distinguish between what might harm the body when connected and what should be connected. The doctor In addition distinguishes between what might cause harm if increased and what might cause harm if decreased. The doctor helps bring about good health or what preserves good health, and helps fend off the ailment with its antidote (opposite) or by using a corrective diet. You will see that all these guidelines are met by the guidance and advice of the Prophet b by Allah's Will, Power and Support.

—— The Prophetic Medicine

The Prophet b used medicine himself and prescribed medicine for his family and Companions

Yet, the type of medicines that the Prophet b and his companions used to take was nothing like the chemical mixtures that are called, "Aqrabathayn (Pharmacopoeia)". Rather, the majority of their medicine consisted of only one ingredient. Sometimes, they would take another substance to assist the medicine or make it taste better. This was, and still is, the case with most of the medicine used by many cultures such as Arabs, Turks, Indians and nomads. The Romans and the Greeks, on the other hand, use a mixture of substances or remedies in their medicine.

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. They agree that the body will be harmed if doctors over prescribe medicine. This is because the remedy might not find an illness to cure, or might find an illness that it cannot cure, or might be suitable for the illness, but an excess dose may be given, thereby compromising the health of the body.

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. These arguments entail facts that are known in the medical profession.

Prophetic medicine has a divine element to it. This element makes comparing Prophetic medicine to the medicines offered by regular doctors similar to comparing the medicine offered by doctors to folk medicine. The best medical authorities agree to this fact, since the science that they excel in is a result of comparisons, experimentation, inspiration, visions and hypothesis. Some ‘of them state that their knowledge is acquired through the animal kingdom, for example they observe cats swallowing a venomous creature and then observe it lick the oil in the lamp, thus neutralizing the effect of the venom. They In addition observe a snake that has something wrong with its eyes. The snake then wipes its eyes on fennel leaves and cures its condition. In addition, they observe some birds that sip seawater when constipated. There are many similar examples that doctors

—— The Prophetic Medicine

mention concerning their observations of nature.

This type of knowledge cannot be compared to revelation from Allah to His Messenger and which informs him of what is good for him and what is not. Comparing scientific knowledge to revelation is like comparing the rest of the sciences to what the Prophet b has been sent with. In fact, the Prophets provide us with a kind of medicine that the doctors can barley understand or reach by their experimentation, hypothesis and theories. The Prophets deliver remedies that cure the heart from whatever attacks it. These Prophetic remedies strengthen the heart and increase the reliance and dependence on Allah. It In addition aids in seeking refuge, being humble and showing meckness before Him, Egging Him, giving charity and supplicating to Him. It In addition includes repenting to Allah, seeking His forgiveness, practicing kindness towards His creation and aiding those in desperate need and those who have suffered a calamity. These cures have been tried by various nations who have indeed found them to carry the cure doctors can never prescribe on their own, whether by experimentation or scientific observations.

We have tried the Prophetic cures and found that they are more powerful than any type of regular medicine. Further, it is a fact that comparing the Prophetic medicines to the medicines that doctors prescribe is just

like comparing regular medicine to folk medicine.

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. Furthermo:e, 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? Only the most ignorant people deny these facts, especially those who have the dullest intellect, the worst comprehension and who are the farthest from Allah and from knowing the true reality of mankind. Soon after, Allah willing, we will mention the reason why reciting Al-Fatihah (the first chapter in the Qura’an) has removed the effects of a poisonous sting, enabling the poisoned person to stand up as if he never suffered pain.

We will mention two types of Prophetic medicine in as much detail as possible, according to the limited strength, knowledge and resources available to us. We rely only on Allah for every type of good and righteous

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matter, while seeking His Bounty, for He is the Cherished Who grants favors without limit.

Every sickness has got a cure

Muslim narrated in his Sahih that the Prophet b said:

"Every illness has a cure. and when the proper cure is applied to the disease, it ends it, Allah willing."

In addition, it is narrated in the Sahihan that the Messenger of Allah said:

"Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has In addition sent down its cure."

Further, Imam Ahmad narrated that Usamah bin Shuraik said:

"IT was with the Prophet b when the Bedouins came to him and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, should we seek medicine?’ He said, 'Yes, O slaves of Allah, seek medicine, for Allah has not created a disease except that he has In addition created its cure, except for one illness.’ They said. 'And what is that?' He said, 'Old age."

In addition, it is related in the Al Mosn‘ad (by Imam Ahmad) that the Prophet b said:

"Allah has not sent down a disease except that He In addition sent down its cure; whoever knows it (the cure), knows it, and whoever is unaware of it (the cure), he is unaware of it." (the medicine) while those who are ignorant of it are unaware of it." [An-Nasa'y, Ibn Majah, AI-Hakim and Ibn Hibban].

In addition, it is narrated in the Musnad (by Imam Ahmad) and the Sunon (of At-Termezey and Ibn Majah) that Abu Khuzamah said:

"I said, 'O Messenger of Allah # about the Ruqya (divine remedies - Islamic supplication formula) that we use, the medicine we take and the prevention we seek, does all this change Allah's appointed destiny?’ He said, ‘They are a part of Allah's appointed destiny.”

These Ahadeeth indicate there are causes for whatever occurs in this world and removal of these causes.

The Prophet's statement that there is a cure for every disease might include both the curable and the humanly incurable diseases, for Allah may have hidden these types of cures from mankind and blocked their path to acquiring them. Allah knows best. The Prophet b said that the disease ends when the proper cure is applied to it, indicating that there is an opposite for every creation and thus there is an antidote for every disease. The Messenger

—— The Prophetic Medicine

of Allah b has stated that when the two opponents meet, meaning, the proper remedy and the disuse, recovery from the illness vecurs. When the medicine is given in a dosage higher than what is needed, or when it is not the required medicine, it might lead the body to another type of disease. When the dosage is less than what is needed, it will not be sufficient to cure the disease. When the sick person and the disease are not treated with the suitable medicine, cure and recovery does not occur. In addition, when the time is not suitable for the cure, or when the body is unable or unsuitable for the prescribed medicine, the cure will not be effective. When all circumstances are favorable, the cure will surely be effective. This is the best explanation available for these Ahadeeth.

On the other hand, these Ahadeeth might be specific, in that Allah has not created a disease that can be humanly cured but has sent down a cure for it. This is similar to what Allah said: