Part 20

There are ten reasons for vomiting, the first, excessive amounts of bile that float in the stomach and seek an exit out of the body.

Second, excessive amounts of phlegm in the stomach that In addition seek a way out of the body.

Third, when the stomach is weak and unable to completely digest the food and the partially digested food seeks an exit out of the body.

Fourth, vomiting occurs when a harmful substance enters the stomach and causes a disruption in the digestion process.

Fifth, when one eats excessive amounts of food or drink, more than the stomach can bear. In this case, the stomach will not be able to tolerate these excessive amounts of nourishment and will seek to throw them out.

Sixth, vomiting occurs when the food or drink consumed is not suitable for the stomach, which then

—— The Prophetic Medicine

Seventh, when the stomach suffers from a condition that spoils the food and drink which then seeks an exit.

Eighth, nausea might In addition cause vomiting.

Ninth, depression, sadness and anguish cause disregard for the needs of the body and its necessities of food, including the need to mature and digest the food. The stomach gets rid of this undigested food. In addition, vomiting may occur under the pressure of various physiological conditions, because the body and the psyche both effect each other profoundly, Tenth, one might feel nauseous and then vomit upon seeing other people vomit.

Once, a doctor informed me that he had a nephew who was good at applying Ku'hl (antimony, a black powder used for the eyes) and when his nephew would apply Ku'hl to a person who was suffering form conjunctivitis, he himself would later catch conjunctivitis. When this was repeated several times, his nephew stopped this profession. I asked the doctor about the cause of his nephew's condition and he said that his nephew's body reacted to the condition of the men he was treating by catching the same ailment they suffered from. h-le In addition said that he knows of a man who saw a benign growth, an-abscess, on someone's body and that he started

to scratch the same part on his body. Later on, he In addition had a growth in the same area.

I say that this proves that the psyche affects the body in such a way that when certain powers in the body are idle, it suddenly becomes active without a reason.

Vomiting is suitable as a remedy in hot weather and

In hot areas and hot weather, certain harmful substances are light and thus prone to float, and this is why vomiting becomes a proficient way to discard these mixtures. On the other hand, certain harmful substances in cold areas and in cold weather become thicker and are harder to extract from above. In this case, getting rid of these harmful mixtures is better done by diarrhea.

Getting rid of harmful mixtures is done by pulling them from the farthest exit or by extracting them from the nearest exit. For instance, there are various mixtures that are not stable and seek to either ascend or descend. If the mixture tends to ascend, then discarding it from below is better. If the mixture tends to descend, then pulling it from above is better. When the mixture becomes stable, then discarding it from the nearest exit is better. When the mixture starts to harm the upper organs, it should be pulled down through the lower parts, and vise versa. When these r-mixtures become stable, they should be

—— The Prophetic Medicine

discarded from the nearest exit.

This is why the Prophet ate had cupping sometimes in his arm vein, sometimes in his head and sometimes on the top of his foot, so that the spoiled blood is discarded from the nearest possible exit.

Vomiting cleanses__the stomach from harmful substances

Vomiting strengthens the stomach, sharpens the sight, relieves headaches, ulcers, and infections in the kidneys and the prostate. Vomiting In addition relieves and soothes chronic illnesses, such as leprosy, dropsy, partial paralysis, or trembling.

A healthy person should instigate vomiting once or twice a month each time vomiting two times, so that the second vomit rids the body of the substances that remained after the first one. Excessive vomiting harms the stomach and weakens its protective layers. It a so harms the teeth, the sight and hearing along with causing headaches. In addition, those suffering from swelling in the throat, weak chests, those who have small windpipes, or those who find it difficult to vomit intentionally or those prone to spitting up blood should not vomit intentionally.

Those who have the bad habit of filling their

stomachs with food and then instigate vomit will find that this method accelerates old age and leads to many harmful diseases, along with making vomiting habitual.

In addition, instigating vomiting while suffering from dehydration, weak or defective intestines, senility, or general weakness in the body is dangerous for the health. The best time to instigate vomit is during summer and spring, not winter or autumn. When vomiting intentionally, one should cover his eyes, wash the face with cold water when finished and should then drink apple juice with some mastic and rosewater if possible. Vomit should be expelled through the mouth or pulled from below in the form of diarrhea. Hippocrates said, "Vomit during the summer should be (naturally) expelled from above more than by using Medicine, while in winter it should be pulled from below using medications."

The Prophet's guidance on seeking the best doctors

Imam Malik narrated in his Muwatta that Zaid bin Aslam said:

"During the time of the Prophet b a man was injured and the blood was congested in the wound. The man then called two doctors from Bani Amir to examine him. The man then claimed that the Messenger of Allah basked them, 'Who is the best doctor among you?" They asked, 'Is there prefer ability in the medicine, O

——— The Prophetic Medicine

Messenger of Allah b He said, 'The One Who has sent down the disease also sent down the cure."

This Hadith indicates that Muslims should seek the best authority in each and every matter and field, because such expertise will ensure that the job is done with excellence. For instance, those inquiring about a matter of religion should seek the most knowledgeable scholar to answer their questions. Further, those who are unsure about the direction of the prayer should imitate the most knowledgeable person available. This is the way Allah has created His slaves. For instance, those traveling on land or sea should seek the best guides because their hearts will feel safer following their lead and in their presence. The religion, the mind and the way Allah created mankind all emphasize this fact mentioned in the Hadith.

"He Who has sent down the disease also sent down the cure."

Like this has been mentioned in several other Ahadeeth. For example, Hilal bin Yasaf said:

"The Messenger of Allah b once visited a sick man and said, ‘Send for a doctor.’ A man said, 'Do you say that, O Messenger of Allah b' He said, ‘Yes. Allah has not

sent down a disease but In addition sent down a cure for it." (Ahmad)

In the Sahihain it is In addition narrated that the Prophet bsaid:

"Aliah has not sent down a disease except that He sent down its cure."

There is a conflict of opinion on the meaning of sending down the disease and the cure. Some people say that sending the cure down means the slaves become aware of it. This opinion is not valid, although Allah has informed us about the fact that for every disease there is a cure still the Prophet b said:

"Those who know it ore aware of it, and those who do not know it are ignorant of it."

Some people say that the Prophet's statement indicates that Allah has created these cures on the earth, like another Hadith, "Allah does not create a disease but would create its cure." Although this opinion is better than the first one, it is still not valid because "sending down" is more precise and specific than creating.

Another group says that the statement means that Allah sends down the cure with the angels who are responsible for the affairs of mankind including the

——. The Prophetic Medicine

diseases and their cures. Indeed, the angels are responsible for the daily affairs of this world, especially the affairs of mankind from the time he or she is a fetus until they die. This opinion that the angels are sent down with the cure is more plausible.

Other people say that the majority of the medicine comes down with the rain, as the rain causes the growth of the vegetation and food, meaning the various sources for cure. In addition, rain washes down various minerals from the mountaintops which are used in remedies. In addition, various types of fruits, plants and even spring water are used in cures and remedies. This opinion is better than the previous three opinions, but Allah knows best.

This is the perfect wisdom of Allah, that He tests His slaves with the disease and yet helps them find the cure. He In addition tests His slaves with sins, but helps them erase these sins by repenting to Him, by performing good deeds and by their enduring different calamities and disasters. Allah In addition tests His slaves with evil, yet helps His slaves with angels. Allah In addition tests His slaves with desires, but has allowed them to satisfy their desires by taking from the good, pure substances that are In addition desirable. Allah has not tested His saves with anything but would In addition provide them with what helps them sustain themselves against that trial and test.

The difference between the slaves of Allah in this state is in their knowing and acquiring such aids. Allah is sought for help regarding each and every matter.

The Prophet's guidance on requiring compensation from those unqualified to practice medicine

Abu Dawood, An-Nasay and Ibn Majah said that the Messenger of Allah b said:

"Those who practice Tibb, but are not knowledgeable in this profession are responsible for their actions." [In addition Al-Hobm narrated this Hadith],

There are three types of benefits in this Hadith: linguistic, religious and medicinal.

Linguistically, Tibb entails preparing a thing. It In addition entails excellence and thus entails other than the profession of doctors. A person might be called Tabib (Usually means doctor) when they are proficient in anything. In addition, a proficiency might be called Tibb sometimes even magic.

In the Sahih it is narrated that 'A'esha said, "When the Jews worked magic on the Messenger of Allah b, two angels sat next to him one at his head and the other at his feet, one of them asked, 'What is the matter with the man?! The other angel said, 'He is Matbub (touched by