Part 43

[At-Termezey, [bn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Al-Hakim, At-Tabamni and Abu Nairn}.

ALPHABETICAL LISTING* THE LETTER HAMZAH L Ithmid (Antimony,

The Ithmid is the black Kohl stone. The best type of Ithmid is found in Asfahan (Iran), but it is In addition found in western areas. The best type of Ithmid is that which fragmentizes quickly and which has shiny morsels. In addition, the interior of the Ithmid is polished and does not contain any impurities.

The Kohl tends to be cold and dry and it is beneficial to the eye in that it strengthens it and In addition strengthens the eye nerve. Ithmid dissolves excess flesh around ulcers and closes the wound while cleansing the area around them. Ithmid In addition relieves headaches when it is blended with pure watery (not thick) honey. When Ithmid is ground and mixed with tender fat and then used as a bandage over fire burns, it prevents blisters from appearing and In addition helps cure the skin damage that occurs in cases of bums by fire. Ithmid is the best type of Kohl used for the eve, especially for old people whose eyesight has weakened. In this case, it is better that Kohl is mixed with some Musk.

—— The Prophetic Medicine

In the Sahih it is narrated that the Prophet b said:

"The example of the believer who reads the Qura’an is the example of the Utrujj: its taste is delicious and its scent is pleasant."

The Utrujj has many benefits. There are four elements in the Utrujj, the peel, heart (or pulp), the pith and the seed. Each of these four elements has its own tendency: the pecis, for instance, are hot and dry, while the pulp is hot and wet. The Utrujj pith is cold and dry, while its seed is hot and dry.

The peel of the Utrujj has many benefits. For instance, when its is placed within the clothes it prevents molding. The peel's scent refreshes decaying and polluted air. The peels of the Utrujj In addition improve the flavor of the foods and dissipate foul scents. In addition, when the peels are mixed with the food they help the digestive process. The author of the Qanoon said, 'The pith of the {Utrujj) peels benefit in cases of snake bite, while the peels are used in bandages for snakebite. The ashes of the peels are used as an effective ointment against leprosy.’

The pulp of the citron (Utrujj) soothes the heat of the stomach, helps those who suffer from bile and subdues hot vapors. Further, Al-Ghafiqi said, "Eating the

— The Prophetic Medicine

(citron) pulp relieves hemorrhoids."

The extract of the pith contained in the citron constipates, relieves bile, soothes hot pulsation, controls bilious vomiting, and when taken as a drink or a Kohl, relieves jaundice. The extract of the pith is In addition a good appetite stimulant, constipates and helps in cases of bilious diarrhea. The citron pith extract In addition soothes the lust of the woman and relieves and combats skin spots when used as a lubricant. It In addition cures herpes. The proof of the pith's effectiveness against ink is that when it touches the ink on the clothes, it effectively removes the stain. The pith contained in the Utrujj In addition soothes and has a chilling effect, cools the hotness of the liver, strengthens the stomach, eliminates bile and the accompanying depression and In addition quenches the thirst.

The seeds of the Utrujj have a decomposing and drying effect. Ibn Masawaih said that Utrujj, "When the skin of the seed is removed and cooked and taken as a drink with warm water, helps against deadly poisons when one drinks as much as two measures, each around twenty-five grams. When the seeds are ground and placed on a sting, they In addition help. The seeds In addition constipate and add good scent to the taste. Most of these benefits are In addition present in its pulp."

It was In addition said that, "The seeds help 361

—— The Prophetic Medicine

against scorpion stings when two measures of it are taken with warm water, and In addition when it is ground and placed on the affected area." It was In addition said, "Its seeds help against all types of poisons and all types of venomous stings."

It was In addition reported that one of the Persian rulers was angry with his doctors and that he ordered them be jailed. He gave them the choice to have only one type of food and they chose the Utrujj. They were asked, "Why did you choose it in particular?" They said, "Because it turns into a type of perfume shortly, its sight is pleasant, its peel smells good, its pulp is a fruit, its pith is a food, its seeds an antidote and it contains fat."

Truly, such a beneficial substance deserves to be compared with the best of creation, meaning the believer who recites the Qura'an. We should mention that some of people used to like looking at the Utrujj because its sight is pleasant and comforting.

There are two fake Ahadeeth regarding rice. The first, "If it was a man it would be forbearing." The second Hadith, "Everything that the earth produces has a disease and a cure, except the rice, for it is a cure and has no disease (or side effects)." We mentioned these incorrect Hadiths so that the people do not refate them from the

Rice is hot and dry and it is the most nutritious cereal after wheat. Rice is a beneficial substance as it tightens the intestinal cavity and coats and strengthens the stomach. The doctors of India claim that it is the most beneficial food when it is cooked with cows' milk. Rice is nutritious, enriches the body, increases semen production and purifies the color.

Arz is In addition called Sanawbar. The Messenger of Allah b mentioned the pine, when he said:

"The example of the believer is the example of the green plant that the wind twists, sometimes leaving it straight and sometimes bending it. The example of the hypocrite is the example of the Arz, it will be standing on its roots then all of a sudden it is completely dry!"

The seed of the Arz is hot and wet. It is a relaxing and maturating substance, and has a sting that can be prevented if the Arz seeds are soaked in water. Further, the Arz seeds are difficult to digest but are nutritious, help relieve coughing and dries the moisture or vapor that accumulates in the lungs. They In addition energize semen production but constipate, unless one In addition eats bitter pomegranate seeds with them.

——— The Prophetic Medicine

5. The izkh'er (Lemon Grass)

In the Sahih it is narrated that the Prophet a] said in Mecca about its plants:

"Do not cut its plants.”

Al-Ab'ass said, "Except for izkh'er, O Messenger of Allah b for their (the people of Mecca) servants use it and it is In addition used for their houses." The Prophet $a said: "Except izkh'er."

Lemon grass is hot in the second degree and dry in the first degree. It is a light substance that opens clogs and the veins' orifices. It In addition increases urine and menstruation-flow, dissolves the stones and the hard tumors in the stomach, liver and kidneys, either as a drink or as a bandage. The stems of the lemon grass will strengthen the column of the teeth and the stomach, calm nausea and constipate the stomach.

Abu Dawood and At-Termezey narrated that the Prophet b used to eat watermelon with ripe dates, saying:

"The hotness of this substance (dates) neutralizes

the coolness of that (watermelon)."

There are several Ahadeeth regarding watermelon none of them are authentic, except the Hadith that we mentioned above.

Green watermelon is cold and wet and is sweet. It In addition works as a cleanser (for the stomach and the intestines). Watermelon departs the stomach more quickly than cucumber and quickly blends with whatever substances are present in the stomach. It is beneficial. to eat watermelon when it is warm, but when it is cold it is better to have it with some ginger to offset its harm.

Watermelon should be eaten before the meals. Otherwise, it will cause nausea. Some doctors said that when watermelon is, "Eaten before the meal, it cleanses the stomach and removes ailments."

An-Nas‘ay and Ibn Majah narrated in their Sunan that A'esha said that the Messenger of Allah b said:

"Eat fresh dotes with dried dates, for when Satan sees the son of Adam eating fresh and dried dates he comments, ‘The son of Adam remained until he started eating the new and the old together."

In another narration, the Prophet b said: 365

—— The Prophetic Medicine

"The fresh and dried dotes, becouse Satan gets sad when he sees the son of Adam eating them, so he says: ‘The son of Adam has lived until (now) he eats the fresh and the old together."

Some of the Muslim doctors commented, "The Prophet b ordered the Muslims to eat fresh and dried dates together rather than green dates with dried dates. Fresh dates are cold and dry while dried dates are hot and humid, thus neutralizing the effect of each other. On the other hand, green dates and dried dates are both hot, although the dried dates are more hot." Medically, it is better to avoid eating two types of foods that incline towards either hotness or coolness.

The Hadith indicates that the medical profession is generally correct when it inclines towards neutralizing the effects of medications and foods with other ingredients or foods to preserve good health.

Fresh dates are cold and dry and they benefit the mouth, the gums (gingiva) and the stomach. Yet, dates are not beneficial for the chest and lungs because of their coarseness. In addition, the dates are difficult to digest and are not very nutritious. The example of fresh dates is the example of unripe grapes, as both cause flatulence and bloating, especially when one drinks water after eating fresh dates. To neutralize these side effects, one should

eat them with dried dates, or honey and butter.

3. Busr (Green Dates)

In the Sahih it is narrated that when the Prophet b Abu Bakr and Umar were guests of Abu Al-Haitham bin At-Taihan he brought them a cluster of dates, which is similar to a cluster of grapes. The Prophet b said:

"Why do you not choose some ripe dates for us?"

Abu AI-Haitham replied, "I wanted you to choose whatever you like of its green and ripe dates."

Busr is hot and dry, and its dryness is more than its hotness. In addition, the Busr dries out excess moisture, coats the stomach, relaxes the bowels and helps the gums and the mouth. The most beneficial type of Busr is the tender and sweet Busr. Yet, eating excessive amounts of Busr (green dates) regularly causes obstructions or clogs in the intestines.