Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu




A few Important Points

The best type of Siwak is made from the Arak Trees. Further, one should not use an unknown tree for Siwak for it might be poisonous.

Siwak should be used moderately, because it might cause the coating of the teeth to wear away and thus the teeth will be susceptible to the hot vapors or gasses that ascend from the stomach and to all kinds of dirt.

When the Siwak is used moderately, it will polish the teeth, strengthen the roots of the teeth, help the tongue, prevent plaque, perfume the breath, clear the mind and strengthen the appetite.

The best way to use the Siwak is by soaking it in rose water. Also the best type of Siwak is made from walnut stems.

The author of At-Taysir said, “It was said that when one uses the Siwak every five days, it will clear the head, sharpen the senses and alert the mind.”

Siwak is beneficial for many reasons, such as perfuming the breath, strengthening the gingival, clearing the phlegm and the sight and the preventing cavities.

It also preserves the heath of the stomach, clears the voice, helps the digestion process, helps make the speech clear and encourages one to recite the Qur'an, remember Allah and pray.

Siwak also fights sleepiness, pleases the Lord, delights the angels and increases the number of good deeds.

Siwak is preferred at any time, especially before the Prayer, ablution, when waking up and when the mouths foul odor. It is also preferred for those who are fasting and all other people at all times.

There are Ahadith that allow this practice for those who are fasting, because it is beneficial for them and pleases the Lord.

Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim Pages 280-282

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu




A few Important Points

Although milk is a simple type food, it is very natural to the body as it contains three major substances, cheese, fat and water.

Cheese is cold and wet and provides good nutrition. The fat is mild regarding warmth and wetness and is very beneficial for healthy bodies. The water part of milk is hot and wet and it softens the stomach and provides the body with beneficial moistures.

Laban in general is mild regarding warmth and wetness, although there are other opinions in this regard.

Milk is best when it has just been milked and its value decreases by the passage of time. Also milk is better forty days after the animal has given birth.

The best type of milk is the most white in color, as it has a good scent, delicious taste, mildly sweet, less fat and light consistency.

Milk is good and produces red blood, brings wetness to the body and is also a nutritious food, helps relieve depression, obsession and black bile ailments.

When milk is drunk with honey, it helps cleanse the insides of septic materials.

Drinking milk with sugar makes the color of the skin fairer.

Milk helps the body regain its strength after sexual intercourse and is also favorable for the chest, the lungs and for those suffering from tuberculosis.

Milk is not favorable for the head, the stomach, the liver and spleen. Drinking excessively is harmful to the teeth and the gums. In the Sahihain it is narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) once drank some milk and then asked for some water and rinsed his mouth saying. “It has fat.”

Milk is not good for those suffering from fever and headaches and is not favorable for the weakness in the head and brain. Excessive drinking of milk causes darkness in the sight, sight impairment, gout, kidney clots and swelling in the stomach and the intestines. These side effects will be neutralized when mixing milk with honey, ginger and so forth for those who are not used to drinking it.

Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  Pages 334-336

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu



A few Important Points

Ibn Majah narrated in his Sunan that Usamah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) related from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam):

“Is there anyone who is ready to enter Paradise, for Paradise is all good (and pure). It is by the Lord of the Ka'bah, a shining light, a twinkling Raihan, a luxurious palace, a running river, a ripe date and a beautiful pretty wife.  It has many suits, eternal residence in a good place of dwelling, fruits, vegetables, comfort and bounty in an Exalted, comfortable dwelling.” They said, “Yes Messenger of Allah we are ready for it.” He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, “Say by Allah’s leave.” They said, “By Allah’s Leave.”


Every plant that has a good smell is called Raihan Therefore, every area gives a certain plant that name. For instance, the people of the West, as well as the Arabs call aromatic plants Raihan.  The people in Iraq and Sham call the Hibk (a type of mint) Raihan.

Raihan or Myrtle is cold in the first degree and dry in the second. It is a compound of several qualities, most of which consist of an earthly cold essence. Myrtle also consists of a soft, hot substance. It dries the head nicely and is effective as a constipating agent.

Myrtle prevents bile diarrhoea and dissipates hot and wet vapor when one smells its scent. Its scent brings relief to the heart and prevents various aliments, especially when the plant is spread around the house.

Myrtle heals tumours that occur in the two uterus when it is coated on them.

When fresh Myrtle leaves are ground and blended with vinegar and then placed on the head, they will stop a nose bleed.

When dried Myrtle leaves are crushed and the powder is sprinkled on wet ulcers it will heal them and will help weak organs when used as a bandage, relieve a septic finger, heal spots and ulcers on the hands and feet.

When Myrtle is used to rub the body it eliminates sweat, dries excess wetness and dissipates underarm odor.

When one sits in water Myrtle was cooked in, it will help against infections on the buttocks and vagina and will heal weak joints and broken bones when it is poured on the wound.

It helps eliminate dandruff, wet ulcers and spots that appear on the head.  

It helps the hair against falling. When Myrtle leaves ground with a little water then blended with some oil or rose grease, then used as a bandage, it  will be suitable against fresh (or humid) ulcers, canker sores, erysipelas (a skin infection), acute tumours, utricaria (hives) and haemorrhoids.

Myrtle seeds help against haemoptysis (spiting up blood) of the chest and lungs. It also coats the stomach without harming it or the chest and it cleanses them.

Myrtle helps against diarrhoea and coughing and this is a special quality of Myrtle that is rarely found in other medications The seeds helps urine production and heal vesica (bladder) infections, spider bites and scorpion stings.

Using Myrtle root to cleanse the teeth is harmful.

Persian Raihan, which is also called Hibq, is hot and when its scent is smelled. It helps against hot headaches when water is sprinkled on the it and then it is allowed to cool down. It is also said that this type of Myrtle is cold, but it looks like it has some of the four types of temperament. It also helps bring sleep to the eye. The seeds of Persian Myrtle relieve diarrhoea of the bile, stomach and it strengthens the heart and help against black bile aliments.

Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  Pages 272-274

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu



A few Important Points

The Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) guidance concerning Sleep

Those who read about the Prophet's guidance concerning being awake and concerning being asleep will find that his sleep was the best and most beneficial for the body, the organs and one's strength.  

He used to sleep in the early part of the night and would wake up in the beginning of the latter part, use Siwak (natural toothbrush), perform ablution and pray as much as Allah permitted him.  Consequently, the body, the organs and one's strength will acquire their fair share of sleep, rest and physical activity, along with acquiring the complete rewards (from Allah).  This method ensures righteousness of the heart and body in this life and the Next Life.

The Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) did not oversleep or deprive his body of necessary sleep, making his method in this regard the most perfect.  He used to sleep when sleep is warranted and would lay on his right side and remember Allah in supplication until sleep overwhelmed his eyes.  Also, his body would not be burdened with overeating or over drinking.  He neither slept on the bare floor, or on high beds.  Rather, he had mats made of leaves, used to lean on a pillow and would sometimes place his hand under his cheek.

We will now elaborate on the beneficial and harmful methods of sleep.

Sleep is a condition during which the body's instinctive heat becomes idle, so that the body gets some rest.  There are two types of sleep, normal and abnormal.  

Normal sleep entails resting the inner powers and the senses.  When these powers are idle, the body refrains from its usual activity and thus the vapors and wetness that were moving and decomposing while awake would ascend to the brain which is the residence of these powers.  The brain then becomes idle, and this is the normal type of sleep.

Abnormal (i.e. heavy) sleep occurs because of an accident or disease.  In this case, the excess wetness will take over the brain in a manner that prevents the person from waking up easily.  Or, excessive amounts of vapor and moisture ascend to the brain, just as what happens in the aftermath of overeating and over drinking, and cause the brain to relax and thus the person goes to sleep.

There are two benefits in sleep:  the senses get to rest from the fatigue that overtakes them.  In this case, the senses will rest from the tiresome activity that occurs when one is awake.  

The second benefit is digesting food and leading the various mixtures, conditions or temperaments to maturity (processing bodily wastes).  While one is asleep, his instinctive energy or heat concentrates on the digestion process and this is why the body gets cold and needs a cover while one is asleep.

The best type of sleep is for one to sleep on his right side so that the food sits in the stomach comfortably, for the stomach leans to the left side. One should also lay on his left side a little so that the digestion is made faster because the stomach leans on the liver.

One should then turn again on his right side to help the stomach push the food down the stomach and this way one starts and ends his sleep while laying on his right side.  

Sleeping on the left regularly harms the heart because the organs of the body will pressure the heart with their weight.

One of the worst types of sleep is on the back, although resting while laying on the back without going to sleep is not harmful.

Sleeping on the stomach is the worst way to sleep.  

Ahmad and Ibn Majah narrated that Abu Umamah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said:  "The Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam)  passed by a sleeping man in the Masjid who was laying on his face (stomach) and he touched him with his foot, saying 'Sit up, for it a Hellish sleep.'"

Good habits of sleeping help the natural powers of the body to fulfil there tasks and also strengthens the psychological health of the person.

Sleeping during the day is bad for health and causes humid elements makes the color pale, ails the spleen, softens the nerves, causes laziness and weakens desire except during the summer time around noon.

The worst type of sleep occurs in the early hours of the day and in the afternoon. Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) once saw his son sleeping in the early morning and said to him, “Wake up! Do you sleep at the hour during which sustenance is being divided.”

Sleeping in the sun excites otherwise dormant ailments, and such is the case with sleeping while a part of the body is under the sun and a part of the body is under the shade.

Abu Dawud narrated that Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “If one of you was in the shade and then the shade recedes and exposes a part of the body to the sun while the other part is still under the shade, let him move from that place.” [Al-Hakim”)

Ibn Majah and Abu Dawud also narrated: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) disallowed sitting between the shade and the sun.

Al-Bukhari narrated that Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) said: “When the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) would pray the two (voluntary) Rak’ah  of Dawn, he would lay on his right side.


It is said that the wisdom behind sleeping on the right side is that the person does not oversleep. Since the heart leans towards the left side, then sleeping on the right side prevents the heart from residing in its normal place thus causing the sleeping person to wake up when he feels restless.

Sleeping on the left side makes the hear comfortable and thus the person oversleeps and misses out on the affairs of his life and religion.

The Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) has taught us to supplicate to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala with words of reliance, fear and eagerness before going to sleep. His (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) guidance in this regard has included the benefits of the heart, body and soul while awake and asleep for this life and the next.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  Pages 213-218


Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu




A few Important Points

Leaning on the side harms the stomach because it prevents the food from going down the proper channel and reaching the stomach quickly, as it pressures the stomach and does not allow it to be open properly for the food to pass through.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to sit on his feet while eating. He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to place his knees on the ground and would place the bottom of this left foot on the upper part of his right foot in humility for the Lord and in respect for the food and for those present. This is the best way to sit for eating because the organs of the body will be in their proper position, along with observing good manners.

The worst way of eating is leaning on one’s side because the windpipe and the chewing organs will be pressured in this position and squeeze the stomach.

Also the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) could have meant that he does not sit while leaning on pillows as the arrogant do and those who want to eat more food. Rather he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to eat what is barely sufficient just like a slave does.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

Jazakallahu Khairan Sister Aisha for your help in doing this graphic.

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu




A few Important Points

Abu Nu’aym also narrated in his book on the Prophetic medicine that Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said:

“The Byzantine king, give the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) a barrel of ginger as a gift and he gave each person a part of it. I too got a piece.”

Ginger is hot in the second degree and wet in the first degree. It heats the body, helps the digestion process, softens the stomach mildly, helps open the clogs of the liver that are caused by coldness and wetness and helps against the wetness that causes sight impairment.

Ginger also strengthens the sexual power and decomposes the thick gases accumulating in the intestines and stomach.

When one takes some ginger along with two measures of sugar and some hot water, it will work as a laxative and will rid the body of harmful excrements.

Ginger is an effective ingredient in the ointments that dissolve phlegm.

Sour ginger is hot and dry and it excites the sexual drive, increases semen production, heats the stomach and the liver, helps digestion process, dries phlegm that prevails in the body and increases the memory power.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu




A few Important Points

The Qur'an is the ultimate cure from all types of illnesses and sicknesses that attack the  body and the heart and from all the calamities of life and the death. Yet not everyone is suitable or guided to successfully seek the Qur'an as a cure.

When the ill person successfully uses the cure contained in the Qur'an and applies it on his ailment with faith, sincerity, compete acceptance and trust, all  the while observing the necessary guidelines in this regard, no illness can resist the cure.

How can any ailment resist (the Book that contains) the Words of Lord of the earth and heaven, which if it were revealed to a mountain, it would cause it to humble itself and render it asunder.

Further, it the Qur'an were revealed to the earth, it would tear it part. No ailment that attacks the body or the heart, but the Qur'an contains its remedy and cure and would provide immunity against it, that is, for whomever Allah has endowed with the bounty of comprehending His Book.

We stated that the Qur'an contains the major aspects and basis of the knowledge of medicine: preserving health, diet and extracting of harmful substances. As for the ills that attack the heart, the Qur'an mentions them in detail and directs the people to the cures and remedies to treat them.

Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu



A few Important Points

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) never mixed fish and milk, milk and sour foods or two hot dishes or two cold dishes, two sticky dishes, two constipating dishes, two laxative dishes, two heavy dishes, two liquid dishes, or two types of food that produced the same condition.

Also he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) did not join between two types that caused opposite effects, such as constipating and diarrhea or easily digested foods with heavy foods, broiled with cooked foods, dry with fresh foods, eggs and milk or meat and milk.

He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) never ate a food when it is rather hot, nor old food that was heated for him the next day. Further, he did not eat any salty or foods such as pickles. All these types of food are harmful and cause the health to change for the worst.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also used to neutralize the harm of some foods by their opposites such as when the food is hot, he neutralizes its effect with a cold food, and when it is dry with a wet food. E.g. eating ripe dates with cucumbers and dried dates with butter.

He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also used to drink the water of soaked dates to neutralize the effect of heavy foods.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to discourage sleeping just after eating food because it hardens the heart.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) did not drink (water or milk) with his food, because the drink would spoil the food, especially when the water is hot or cold.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

There are four elements in the Utrujj (Citron), the peel, heart (pulp), the pith and the seed. Each of these 4 elements have their own tendency e.g. the peels are hot and dry while the pulp is hot and wet.

When the peel is placed within the clothes, it prevents molding and it’s scent refreshes decaying and polluted air. The peels also improve the flavor of the foods and help the digestive process. The peels are used in bandages for snakebites and the ashes are used as an effective ointment against leprosy.

The pulp of the citron soothes the heat of the stomach, helps those who suffer from bile and subdues hot vapors.

The extract of the pith relieves bile, soothes hot pulsation, controls bilious vomiting. It is a good stimulant and soothes and has a chilling effect, cools the hotness of the liver, strengthens the stomach and eliminates bile and the accompanying depression and quenches the thirst.

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 25grams. The seeds also constipate and add good scent to the taste.

It was also reported that one of the Persian rules was angry with his doctors and jailed them and gave them the choice to have only one type of food and they chose the Utrujj. When asked why? 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.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu



A few Important Points

The seed of the Arz is hot and wet. It is a relaxing and maturating substance and it has a sting that can be prevented if the Arz (pine) seeds are soaked in water.

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 also energize semen production but constipate, unless one also eats bitter pomegranate seeds with them.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to drink honey with cold water, and this is an effective method to preserve the health that only the best doctors would have knowledge of. Drinking honey on an empty stomach will dissolve phlegm, purify the stomach’s protective layers and dissipate its viscidity and excrements while heating it mildly. Honey also helps against the clogs in the stomach, kidney, liver and prostate. Honey is much more profitable to the stomach than any other sweet.

Honey might harm those suffering with bile because it aggravates it, in this case it can be neutralized when taking it with vinegar and this method makes the honey more beneficial.

When a drink is both sweet and cold it is most beneficial for the body and one of the best methods to preserve its health and the well being of the soul, strength, liver and heart.

Cold water is wet, quenches the thirst, preserves the moisture in the body, regenerates the moisture that the body has lost, softens the food and helps transfer it through the veins quickly.

Doctors differ on whether is also nutritional, as some of them said that it is nutritious since the body grows and becomes milder and stronger especially when it is in need of water. Others say that water is not considered to have any nutritional value at all.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) preferred to drink water that was kept in a water skin than that freshly drawn from the well.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “If you have some water still in its skin (then bring me some) otherwise we will sip (from the well)” (Al-Bukhari)

Water that is kept in skins especially leather skins, has a better taste than water kept in clay containers.

'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) said that the best type of drink to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was cold and sweet. This statement might indicate that the Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) drink contained fresh, sweet water from wells and springs. Here statement might also indicate that he used to drink water that is mixed with honey or soaked dates and raisins or her statement could carry both meanings, which is the correct opinion.

The method the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) mentioned (see Hadith in image) is very beneficial for quenching the thirst. In another Hadith the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) commanded that one should not breathe in the cup, but should move the cup away from his mouth and then breath away from it.

When the water enters the hot thirsty stomach in intervals, the second sip of water will quench the thirst left by the first, and the third will quench the thirst left by the first two.

This method gives better results than drinking water or liquid in one breath, since water might dissipate the instinctive heat or weaken it, thus spoiling the temperament of he stomach and the liver.

Also there is no fear from choking when one takes a breath while drinking.  

Further when one takes a drink, the hot gases accumulating in his body will ascend from around the liver and the heart because of the cold water or liquid that is descending on the stomach. In this case (drinking in one gulp) the water will come rushing down while the gases are ascending causing flatulence and sometimes choking the person.

When cold water descends suddenly on the liver it will weaken it and cause it to decrease in its temperature.

At-Tirmidhi narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Do not drink in one breath just as the camel does. Rather, drink twice and thrice, and mention (Allah’s) Name before drinking and than (Him) upon finishing.”

Mentioning Allah’s Name before drinking and thanking Him upon finishing has a significant effect in benefiting from the drink, enjoying it while fending off its harm.

Imam Ahmad said, “When the food has four qualities, it will have become perfect when Allah’s Name is mentioned before having it, when Allah is thanked after finishing with it, when there are many hands to eat from it, and when it is from legal, pure sources.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

Fasting is a shield from many illnesses of the soul, the heart and the body and has tremendous benefits.

Fasting preserves the health and rids the body of harmful substances while preventing it from consuming what might harm it, especially when one fasts in the best times that the religion states or when the body needs it.

Fasting relieves the muscles and the rest of the body and ensures regenerating its strength.

Fasting also has a characteristic that should make one eagerly prefer it, that is bringing joy and relief to the heart sooner or later (i.e. on the Last Day).

Fasting is the best resort for those suffering from excess bodily moistures and substances and also protects and preserves their health.

Fasting is a type of spiritual and physical remedy. When a fasting person observes various rulings and guidelines regarding the Fast, his heart and body will benefit from the Fast the most. Also the body will get rid of the harmful foreign substances that his body is susceptible to receive, along with getting rid of the harmful substances that have already penetrated the body.

Fasting does not only entail abstaining from food and drink. There is another goal that fasting seeks to achieve which made it an act that Allah will specify its reward (only on the Day of Judgment)

Fasting is a shield and a protection making it a type of tremendously beneficial diet. Another goal the Fast seeks to achieve is the heart being busy with Allah, thus enlisting and recruiting the various powers of the body to implement what Allah loves and the requirements of worshiping Him.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points


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 also 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.

Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

The Prayer brings about sustenance, preserves the health, discards harm, eradicates illness, strengthens the heart, radiates the face with light, brings joys to the soul and dissipates laziness.

The Prayer energizes the limbs, sustains power, opens the chest, nourishes the soul, brings light to the heart, protects the bounty, shields from the anger (of Allah), brings about blessings, takes one away from Shaitan and draws him closer to the Most Beneficent.

In general, the Prayer has a profound effect in preserving the health of the body and the heart. The Prayer also discards harmful substances.

The Prayer has a profoundly wonderful effect in repelling the evils of this life, especially when the Prayer is given its due right inwardly and outwardly.

Certainly, the evils of this life and the Next Life would be most effectively repelled while their good would be most effectively brought forth through Prayer.

The secret in this is that the Prayer is the connection with Allah. The closer the connection is between the slave and his Lord, the more open the doors of all types of good, will be for him, while closing the ways to evil. In this case, the tools of success will descend on the slave from his Lord, along with good health, many bounties and riches, comfort, delight, joy, happiness and the good things of life.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

Sabr (patience) is one half of faith, which is half patience and half praise and thankfulness.

To Faith, Sabr is just like the head to the body. There are three types of Sabr.

First, there is the Sabr while performing Allah’s Commands, so that one does not ignore (or get bored with) them.

There is a Sabr with shunning the prohibitions, so that one does not violate them.

There is also a Sabr with the appointed destiny and decisions of Allah, so that one is not enraged because of them.

When one acquires all three types of Sabr, his Sabr will be complete and the delight of this and the Next Life will be whole, along with gaining and winning in both lives. No person shall achieve these great prizes except by passing on the bridge of Sabr, just as on person will reach Paradise except by passing over the Sirat (the bridge over hell)

When one thinks about the grades of perfection achieved in this life, he will realize that all of them are connected to Sabr. On the other hand when one thinks about the blame worthy types of failure that one can and should avoid, he will realize that they are all connected to impatience.

Much of the illnesses and he sicknesses that attack the body and the heart are a result of impatience. Also Sabr is the best preserver for the health of the heart, the body and soul.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

Green watermelon is cold and wet and sweet. It works as a cleanser for the stomach and 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.”

Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

Also Ali (Radhi Allahu Anhu) was reported to have said: “Eat Rumman (pomegranates) with iits pulp, because it coats the stomach.”

Sweet pomegranate is hot and wet, good for the stomach, and strengthens it because of its being a mild constipating agent.

It is good for the throat, chest and lungs and relieving coughing.

The water (or juice) in the pomegranate softens the stomach and is a nutrient for the body, digests quickly because it is light and produces heat along with some air in the stomach.

It helps semen production and is not favorable for those who have fever.

Bitter pomegranate is cold and dry and constipates mildly, it softens bile symptoms, relieves diarrhea, prevents vomiting and is slightly tarry. It also stops the heat in the liver.

When the pomegranate’s juices is extracted and is cooked with some honey until it becomes like an ointment and used as eye drops, it will clear the yellow color from the eye and dissipate the thick wetness.

As for sour rumman, its qualities are in the middle between the two other kinds we mentioned, although this kind leans more towards being sour.

Rumman seeds that are mixed with honey will alleviate septic finger and malignant ulcers. Pomegranate flowers help heal wounds. It is said that if one swallows three pomegranate flowers each year, he will be immune from ophthalmia (conjunctivitis) for an entire year.

Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

Zait (olive oil) is hot and wet in the first degree. The quality of the oil depends on the tree that produces it.

The best type of olive oil is that squeezed from ripe olives, while oil from unripe olives is cold and dry. Red olives produce oil that is between these while black olives produce hot and wet oil. Olive oil helps against poisons, works as a laxative and rids te body of worms.

Old olive oil leans more towards being hot and decomposing.

When the oil is blended with water, it becomes less hot and milder and thus more beneficial.

All kinds of olive oil soften the skin and slow the aging process.

Salty water blended with oil helps burned skin against blistering, it also strengthens the gingiva (gums) while olive leaves help against erysipelas (skin infections), sores, septic ulcers and urticaria (hives). There are many other benefits for olive oil.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Editor’s note  Zait (Oil) was understood to mean olive oil.

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

The best type of Zabib (raisins) is the largest in size, the fattest and that has thin skin and small seeds, especially when the seeds are removed before eating them. Raisins are hot and wet in the first degree, while their seeds are cold and dry.

Raisings are similar to the type of grape they are made of, as sweet raisins are hot, sour raisins are cold and constipating and white raisins are more effective constipating agents.

Raisin pulp is suitable for the windpipe and relieves coughing and liver and prostate pain. It also strengthens the stomach and soothes the intestinal cavity.

Sweet raisin pulps are more nutritious than grapes, but less nutritious than dried figs.

Raisins strengthen the stomach, the spleen and the liver and benefit the throat, chest, lung, liver and prostate.

The best way to eat raisins is to eat them without the seeds.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu  


A few Important Points

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was reported to have visited Said bin Abi Waqqas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) once when he was ill while in Makkah and he asked that a  doctor be brought to examine him. They brought Al-Harith bin Kaladah who examined him and said: “There is no harm with him, just cook some fenugreek with dates and let him eat them.” Said (Radhi Allahu Anhu) was reported to have done that and was then healed.

When the fenugreek is cooked in water, it will soften the throat, chest and the stomach. It also relieves coughing, dryness, asthma, hard breathing and increases sexual drive, flatulence, phlegm, piles and the various accumulations in the intestines.

It dissolves the phlegm from the chest and helps against gastric ulcer and lung diseases, when cooked in honey, dates or figs and eaten on an empty stomach.

Hulbah is used to heal the intestines, mixed with some ghee and fanith (1).

When five measure of fenugreek is taken in a drink, it will increase the flow of menstruation, and when cooked and the hair is washed with it, it will make it curly and will combat dandruff.

When the flour of the fenugreek is blended with some vinegar and natron and used as a bandage on the tumor of the spleen or any hard cold tumors, it will dissolve them.  A woman who suffers from pain in the vagina due to a tumor will benefit if she sits in the water in which the fenugreek was cooked.

When its water is drunk, it will help against the pain in the stomach that results from accumulating gaseous materials and will cleanse the intestines.

Hulbah also relieves urine retention and works as a laxative, when placed on the erratic nail it will heal it, while it’s oil helps against cracked skin when mixed with wax.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim  Pages 265-266


(1) After many weeks of checking the nearest meaning for the word Fanith - I found that it is either sugar candy or molasses. Insha Allah if anyone out there knows what this is please email me and I would post an amendment

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Eat fresh dates 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.’” (An-Nasa’i and ibn Majah)

Some of the Muslim doctors commented, “The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) 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 hotter. Medically, it is better to avoid eating two types of foods that incline towards either hotness or coolness.

Fresh dates are cold and dry and they benefit the mouth, the gums and the stomach. Yet dates are not beneficial for the ches and lungs because of their coarseness.

Also 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 dry dates, or honey and butter.


The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), Abu Bakr and Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) were guests of Abu Al-Haitham bin At-Taihan (Radhi Allahu Anhu), he brought them a cluster of dates which is similar to a cluster of grapes. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Why do you not choose some ripe dates for us?”

Abu Al-Haitham bin At-Taihan (Radhi Allahu Anhu) replied, “I wanted you to choose whatever you like of its green and ripe dates.” (Al-Bukhari)

Busr (green dates) is hot and dry, and its dryness is more than its hotness. The Busr dries out excess moisture, coats the stomach, relaxes the bowels and helps the gums and the mount.

The most beneficial type of Busr is the tender and sweet Busr. Yet eating excessive amounts of Busr regularly causes obstructions or clogs in the intestines.


The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) ate Tamr (dried dates) with butter, bread and alone.

Tamr is hot in the second degree and wither wet or dry in the second degree.

Dried dates strengthen the liver, relax the bowels, increase semen production specially when take with pine and relieve sour throat.

As for those who are not used to eating dried dates, such as residents in cold areas, dried dates cause them clogs, harm the teeth and cause headaches, unless they are eaten with almonds and poppy.

Dried dates are amongst the most nutritious fruits, their essence is hot and wet. When one eats dates in the beginning of the day, they help kill worms, although they are hot they have the strength of an antidote against worms, killing or at least decreasing their numbers, especially when dried dates are taken frequently on an empty stomach.

Dried dates are a fruit, a type of food, a cure, a drink and a sweet.

Source: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points


The Sunnah does not mention figs because they did not grow in that area of the Hijaz or Al-Al-Madinah. Figs require an environment that is different from that in the areas where dates grow. Allah has sworn by the Tin (fig) in His Book because of its tremendous benefits and uses.

Tin is hot and either dry or wet. The best type of figs are the white kind when they are rip as they cleanse the sand that accumulates in the liver and prostate and serve as a preventive substance against poisons.

Figs are more nutritious than all other type of fruit; helps relieve the roughness in the chest, throat and trachea. It also cleanses the liver and the spleen, purifies the phlegm that accumulates in the stomach and provides good nourishment for the body. Yet it makes one more susceptible to lice if eaten excessively.

Source: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

The Black seed (or Habbat Al-Barakah) is called Shuneiz in Persian, black cumin and Indian cumin.

The black seed helps against all types of cold ailments and helps introduce the effective ingredients of cold medications to the areas affected by hot and dry ailments, as it helps the body absorb the medicine quickly when taken in small dosages.

Black seed is hot and dry in the third degree, eliminates, flatulence, extracts the helminthes (worm), relieves leprosy and phlegm fevers, opens clogs, decomposes accumulating gas and excess moisture in the stomach.

When it is ground, blended with honey and drunk with some warm water, it will dissolve the stones that appear in the kidney and the prostate and it is also diuretic.

It increases the flow during menstruation and the production of milk

When it is heated with vinegar and placed on the stomach, it will eliminate helminthes (worms) and when it is blended with wet or cooked colocynth water, it is more effective in removing worms.

It also cleans up, decomposes and relieves cold symptoms when it is ground in a rag and inhaled through the nose on a regular basis until the ailment is cured.

Black seeds oil helps against snakebites, hemorrhoids and spots. When around 25grams of it is drunk with water it will help against gasping and hard breathing.

When the black seeds are cooked in vinegar and then one rinses his mouth with it, it will relieve toothache resulting from sensitivity to cold. When one inhales powered black seed, it will help against water that accumulates in the eye. When it is used in a bandage while blended with vinegar, it heals spots and exposed skin ulcers and decomposes the acute mucus tumors and also hard tumors.

The oil of black seed also helps against facial paralysis when administered by the nose. When one drinks about 25grams of its oil, it helps against spider bite. When it is ground finely and blended with the oil of the green seed and used as ear drops, only up to three drops, it helps against symptoms, flatulence and various clogs.

When the Black Seed is fried and finely ground, soaked in oil and then drops are administered in the nose, it will help against cold conditions accompanied by intensive sneezing.

When it is burned and mixed with melted wax along with henna or iris oil, it helps remove the ulcers that appear on the skin of the legs, after washing the skin with vinegar.

When the black seeds are crushed in vinegar and laid on leprous skin, the skin affected by black pigmentation and on the head that is affected by dandruff, it helps relieve these aliments.

When the Black Seeds are ground finely and one swallows around 25grams of it each day with cold water, it instantly helps against the bit of rabid dogs, and might prevent death as a result of hydrophobia.

There are many other benefits of Black Seeds


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to drink honey with cold water, and this is an effective method to preserve the health that only the best doctors would have knowledge of. Drinking honey on an empty stomach will dissolve phlegm, purify the stomach’s protective layers and dissipate its viscidity and excrements while heating it mildly. Honey also helps against the clogs in the stomach, kidney, liver and prostate. Honey is much more profitable to the stomach than any other sweet.

Honey might harm those suffering with bile because it aggravates it, in this case it can be neutralized when taking it with vinegar and this method makes the honey more beneficial.

When a drink is both sweet and cold it is most beneficial for the body and one of the best methods to preserve its health and the well being of the soul, strength, liver and heart.

Ibn Jurayi said that Az-Zuhri said, “Eat honey because it is good for he memory.”

The best type of honey is the white, pute, light and sweet honey.

Also the honey that is collected from trees and mountains is better than the honey that is grown in cells.

Further the quality of the honey varies according to the area where the bees collected their food.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


A few Important Points

Qith-tha (wild cucumbers) is cool and wet in the second degree and it cools the hotness of the stomach. It does not spoil quickly and helps relieve prostate pain.

Wild cucumbers helps relieve nausea while its seeds are a diuretic.

When the leaves are used as a bandage, they help against dog bites.

Qith-tha does not digest easily and its coolness sometimes hurts some parts of the stomach, hence one should eat Qith-tha with what would make its coolness and wetness milder, just as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) did by eating ripe dates with it.

Also eating it with raisins or honey makes it milder on the stomach.


Excerpt: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –Ibn Qayyim