“In Islam, prophetic medicine (Arabic: الطب النبوي, 'al-Tibb al-nabawī) is the advice given by the prophet Muhammad with regards to sickness, treatment and hygiene as found in the hadith” (Wikipedia). It is a comprehensive code of medicine that was gifted by God Almight to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through revelation. It is actually the healing for both the doctor and the patient, and for the sick and the healthy. “By comparison, prophetic medicine is distinct from Islamic medicine, which is a broader category encompassing a variety of medical practices rooted in Greek natural philosophy” (Wikipedia).
It is known and believed that all diseases and their cures are created by God Almighty. Also, there is no disease, illness or problem without a cure/solution only if we are ignorant of the remedy. Therefore, one needs to connect his mind to his creator. Medical practitioners only try their best to cure, but the originality of the solutions comes from Him, The Exalted.
Allah commanded us to follow Him and His messenger in all our acts. This serves as a guide to deprive us from going astray. He prohibits usage/consumption of some elements because they may cause damage to our systems. He loves us so much and tries to prevent us from evil occurrence. In a nut shell, implementing His messenger’s (ﷺ) methodology moves us closer to him.
It is a pure fact that every disease has healing(s) except for one, as it is narrated that Osamah bin Shourayk said:
“I was with the Prophet when the Bedouins came to him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, should we seek medicine?” He replied, “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.” Thy said, “And what is that?” He said “It is old age.” – Sahih in Ahmad.
It should be noted that having Yaqeen (certainty) that the disease was sent by Allah and with Him is the cure, is the first principle of healing of both the heart and the body. Another principle is committing to righteous deeds such as adhering to the mandatory solat (prayers), giving Sadaqah (charity), making Dhikr (remembering Allah), reciting the Qur’an, fasting, abstaining from sins and making Istighfaar (repentance) etc. This is followed by applying the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in respect of healing through the Prophetic Medicine. When these ethics are combined, it becomes difficult for any sickness or ailment to withstand the power of the Prophetic Medicine!
As Muslims, it’s paramount for us to love the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His love brings us closer to God Almighty and encourages us to abide by His rules in His holy scripture (Quran). The prophet said in his Hadith: "None of you will be regarded to have believed unless he loves me more than himself, his father, his children and everybody." – Sahih in Bukhari and Muslim. And Allah The Exalted mentions in the Qur’an: “And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." [Quran 59: 7].
By observation, we would notice that Prophetic Medicine is nowadays practiced by few people while mentioning the world population. Therefore, it is upon every single Muslim to work towards reviving this enriched Sunnah and making it a common practice. This is because whoever revives a Sunnah will have the reward of everyone who acts upon it. This is based on the hadith narrated by Amr ibn Awf RA: The Messenger of Allah said, “Know that whoever revives my practice when it has died out after me will have a reward similar to those who act upon it without detracting from his reward in the slightest, and whoever innovates misguidance displeasing to Allah and His messenger will have a sin similar to those who act upon it without detracting from their sins in the slightest.”
The following are different natural resources that are utilised for the purpose of at-Tibb al Nabawi:
Talbinah is a broth made from Sha`eer (barley). The broth is called Talbinah because it is thin and white, similar to milk. Talbinah has been mentioned in many narrations of the Prophet ﷺ such as the narration of A’isha: When someone from her relatives died, the women would gather for that (reason) then they would disperse except her family, she would order an earthenware pot of talbinah be cooked, then tharid (a dish made form meat and bread) would be made and the talbinah poured over it. Then she (Aisha) would say (to the women), ‘Eat from it for indeed I heard the Messenger of Allah [peace be upon him] say: “Talbinah is a relaxation for the heart of the sick person and it removes some of the sorrow”.’ – [Bukhari 479/9, Book of Food, Chapter of Talbinah]. In another Hadith narrated by Umm Kulthum, it is said: I heard Aisha RA say, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “You must have what you find unpleasant but beneficial (i.e. talbinah); by the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, indeed it cleanses the stomach of one of you, just as one of you washes his face from dirt, with water.” – [Sunan An Nisai Al Kubra, #7575]
Recipe for Constipation or Anaemia: Mix green barley powder (start with 1/2 teaspoon once a day then increase to 2-3 teaspoons) with water or juice and drink it.
Recipe for Depression or Sadness: Add 1-2 tablespoons of 100% barley flour to a cup and a half of milk or water. Drink daily.
Honey: In the Qur’an, Allah informs us about the honey of honey bees, that their honey varies in colour and that it is a healing for mankind. The Almighty said: “There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think.” [16:69] Honey has also been mentioned in the authentic Sunnah. It is reported that the Prophet said: “Cure is in three (things): a drink of honey, a slash of the knife used in Hijamah and branding (cauterizing) by fire. And I prohibit my nation from cauterizing.” – Sahih in Bukhari
It is adviced to take 2-3tbsp of honey a day and is used as a component with other prescribed herbs and medicines.
Recipe to rejuvenate hair: mix ½ cup of honey and ¼ of a cup of olive oil, massage into the scalp. This will get the nutrients into the roots of the hair. Leave for 30 minutes to an hour and then wash off.
Recipe to brighten the face: mix equal parts of olive oil, honey and almond oil (this can be stored in a jar), apply the mixture to the face and leave for 15 to 20 minutes before washing off.
Blackseed has a lot of benefits and has been for over 1400 years. Blackseed is an anti-oxidant and thus it helps cleanse the body of toxins. It contains immense benefits for the body and is used as a remedy to treat wide range of ailments such as skin disorder, allergies, illnesses, infections, conditions related to respiratory health, digestive system, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system as well as support and assist the general wellbeing. As narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said “Use the black seed, because it contains a cure for every type of ailment except death.” – Sahih in Bukhari and Muslim.
Recipe for backache and muscular pains: mildly heat a little black seed oil and then massage into the affected area alternatively powder equal quantities of asparagus seeds, black cumin, fenugreek and caraway. Take ¼ teaspoon of powder every morning with a glass of water.
Recipe for asthma and bronchial and respiratory problems: mix a teaspoon of black seed oil in coffee, and take twice a day. Also rub the chest with black seed every night and inhale the vapour of black seed in hot water
Recipe for toothache and gum: mix a half a teaspoon of black seed oil with warm water and gargle in the mouth, apply oil on the affected tooth for quick relief)
Recipe to increase flow of breast milk: mix together 250 grams of black seed with 250grams of pure honey, stir and take one tablespoon with black seed oil twice a day
Senna is a shrub that grows to about 1 meter in height and is found in hot and humid climates. It has yellow flowers and papery pods which contain six to eight seeds in them. From Asmaa Bint Umais, She said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “With what do you relieve constipation?” She replied, “With the shubrum.” He said “That is hot and strong”, she then said: “I also relieve it with the Senna!” To which he said, “If there was a thing (which) cures from death, indeed it would be the Senna.” [Ibn Maajah 3461]
Recipe for constipation: Boil a scarce spoonful of Senna leaves with two glasses of water and brew for about 10 -15 minutes or until it is reduced by half. Strain the leaves and drink the liquid before going to sleep.
Recipe for conditioning the hair: mix some Senna leaf powder with warm water until it becomes a paste. Apply the paste to the hair and leave in for about 10 to 15 minutes before washing off.
Olives has been mentioned many times in the Qur’an and it is one of the blessed foods of this life. From among the ayat that mention the olive are the following: “Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. the parable of his light is as a niche and within it a lamp, the lamp is In glass, the glass as it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east (i.e. neither it gets sun-rays Only In the morning) nor of the west (i.e. nor it gets sun-rays Only In the afternoon, but it is exposed to the sun All Day long), whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself), though no Fire touched it…” [24:35] As wel as: “And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters.” [23:20]. The olive has also been mentioned in authentic Hadith where Abu Hurayrah made mention that the Prophet said: “Eat the olive and anoint (yourselves) with it, for indeed it is from a blessed tree.” – Sahih in Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.
For the purpose of ointments, all parts of the olive tree are used, including its bark, its leaves, its fruits and the oil which derives from it.
Recipe to clear ear wax: ear place 3 to 4 drops in the ear morning and evening for a few days until the wax softens and can be removed easily.
Recipe for Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure: boil about 20 dried leaves in 300ml of water, boil for 30 seconds and infuse for 10 minutes. Drink 3 cups a day during meals.
Siwaak is a natural toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss and it comes from a small tree called the Arak. Its twigs are usually cut to a hand span in length and of medium thickness. There are many ahadeeth mentioning the importance and virtues of using the siwaak however the most outstanding is narrated by Ibn Abbas, that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I was ordered with the siwaak until I thought that something would be revealed in the Qur’an in regards to it.” – Sahih in Ahmad. In regards to the health benefits of it however, it is based on the hadith of A’isha where she reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The siwaak is purifying for the mouth and pleasing to the Rabb.” – Sunan an Nasa’i.
Tahneek is the practice of putting something sweet such as dates or honey in the childs mouth when it is newborn. It was reported that Abou Mousa said: “I had a baby boy and so I brought him to the Prophet. He named him Ibraheem and then did Tahneek with some dates and prayed for Allah to bless him, then he gave my son back to me.” [Narrated by al Bukhaari 5150]
Recent research states that one in ten babies are born prematurely are prone to brain damage if not treated immediately. Recent research has proven that a small dose of dextrose (sugar) gel inside the mouth of a newborn with low blood sugar levels can prevent a child from becoming brain damaged. Allah knows best, but it is suggestive that the wisdom behind tahneek was to strengthen the childs immune system.
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