✍ Written by: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
إن الحمد لله نحمده، ونستعينه، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأن محمداً عبده ورسوله. أما بعد:
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا﴾
(Al-Isra 17:82)
Translation:
“And We send down in the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.”
Hadith 1
«عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ما أنزل الله داء إلا أنزل له شفاء»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5678
Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah has not sent down any disease except that He has also sent down its cure.”
Hadith 2
«وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: الشفاء في ثلاث: شربة عسل، وشرطة محجم، وكية نار، وأنهى أمتي عن الكي»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5680
Translation:
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Cure is in three things: a drink of honey, cupping, and cauterization with fire; but I forbid my Ummah from cauterization.”
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿ثُمَّ كُلِي مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ فَاسْلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ﴾
(Al-Nahl 16:69)
Translation:
“Then eat from all fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy. There emerges from their bellies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for people. Indeed, in that is a sign for a people who give thought.”
Hadith 3
«عن أبى سعيد رضي الله عنه: أن رجلاً أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: أخي يشتكي بطنه، فقال: اسقه عسلاً ... فقال: صدق الله وكذب بطن أخيك، اسقه عسلاً، فسقاه فبرأ»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5684
Translation:
Hazrat Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “My brother has pain in his stomach.”
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Give him honey to drink.”
He came again, and the Prophet ﷺ repeated, “Give him honey.”
He came the third time, and the Prophet ﷺ again said, “Give him honey.”
He said, “I have already given him honey.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Allah has spoken the truth, and your brother’s stomach has lied. Give him honey again.”
So he gave him honey, and he was cured.
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ﴾
(Al-An‘am 6:17)
Translation:
“If Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it except Him.”
Hadith 4
«عن خالد بن سعد رضي الله عنه قال: خرجنا ومعنا غالب بن أبجر ... إن هذه الحبة السوداء شفاء من كل داء إلا من السام. قلت: وما السام؟ قال: الموت»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5687
Translation:
Hazrat Khalid bin Sa‘d رضي الله عنه narrated:
We set out on a journey with Hazrat Ghalib bin Abjar رضي الله عنه, and he became ill on the way. When we reached Madinah, he was still sick. Ibn Abi ‘Atiq رضي الله عنه visited him and said, “Use this black seed. Take five or seven grains, crush them, mix with oil, and apply drops in each nostril.”
Then he said, “I heard from ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها that she heard the Prophet ﷺ say:
‘This black seed is a cure for every disease except as-sām (death).’”
I asked, “What is as-sām?” He said, “Death.”
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾
(Yunus 10:57)
Translation:
“O mankind! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a healing for what is in the breasts, and guidance and mercy for the believers.”
Hadith 5
«عن أم قيس بنت محصن رضي الله عنها قالت: سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: عليكم بهذا العود الهندي، فإن فيه سبعة أشفية، يستعط به من العذرة، ويلد به من ذات الجنب»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5692
Translation:
Hazrat Umm Qays bint Mihsan رضي الله عنها narrated that she heard the Prophet ﷺ say:
“Use this Indian costus, for it contains seven cures. It is used as a snuff for throat ailments and taken orally for chest diseases.”
Hadith 6
«عن أنس رضي الله عنه ... قال: إن أمثل ما تداويتم به الحجامة والقسط البحري»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5696
Translation:
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrated:
When the Prophet ﷺ was asked about the wages of a cupper, he said: “The best treatment you use is cupping and al-qust al-bahri (costus). Do not torture your children by pressing their tonsils for throat illness; rather, use costus.”
Hadith 7
«عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم احتجم وهو محرم في رأسه من شقيقة كانت به»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5701
Translation:
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was cupped on his head while in the state of Ihrām because of a migraine he suffered from.
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿وَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَىٰ ۖ كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ﴾
(Al-A‘raf 7:160)
Translation:
“And We sent down upon them manna and quails, and said: Eat from the good things We have provided you.”
Hadith 8
«عن سعيد بن زيد رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: الكمأة من المن وماؤها شفاء للعين»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5708
Translation:
Hazrat Sa‘id bin Zayd رضي الله عنه narrated:
I heard the Prophet ﷺ say: “The truffle (mushroom) is from manna, and its water is a cure for the eye.”
Hadith 9
«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: لما ثقل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ... هريقوا علي من سبع قرب لم تحلل أوكيتها لعلي أعهد إلى الناس ...»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5714
Translation:
Hazrat ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
When the illness of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became severe, he sought permission from his wives to be nursed in her house, and they allowed it. Supported by two men, his feet dragging on the ground—‘Abbas رضي الله عنه and another man (‘Ali رضي الله عنه)—he entered her room.
He then said: “Pour water from seven water-skins whose seals are untied over me, so that I may instruct the people.”
They seated him in a basin belonging to Hafsah رضي الله عنها and poured water upon him until he gestured that they had done enough. Then he went out to the people, led them in prayer, and addressed them.
Hadith 10
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا:
أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ خَرَجَ إِلَى الشَّامِ،
حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ بِسَرْغٍ لَقِيَهُ أُمَرَاءُ الْأَجْنَادِ،
أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ وَأَصْحَابُهُ،
فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ الْوَبَاءَ قَدْ وَقَعَ بِأَرْضِ الشَّامِ،
قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ:
فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: ادْعُ لِي الْمُهَاجِرِينَ الْأَوَّلِينَ،
فَدَعَاهُمْ فَاسْتَشَارَهُمْ، فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ الْوَبَاءَ قَدْ وَقَعَ بِالشَّامِ، فَاخْتَلَفُوا،
فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: قَدْ خَرَجْنَا لِأَمْرٍ وَلَا نَرَى أَنْ نَرْجِعَ عَنْهُ،
وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: مَعَكَ بَقِيَّةُ النَّاسِ وَأَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ،
وَلَا نَرَى أَنْ تُقْدِمَهُمْ عَلَى هَذَا الْوَبَاءِ،
فَقَالَ: ارْتَفِعُوا عَنِّي.
ثُمَّ قَالَ: ادْعُ لِي الْأَنْصَارَ،
فَدَعَوْتُهُمْ فَاسْتَشَارَهُمْ، فَسَلَكُوا سَبِيلَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ، وَاخْتَلَفُوا كَاخْتِلَافِهِمْ،
فَقَالَ: ارْتَفِعُوا عَنِّي.
ثُمَّ قَالَ: ادْعُ لِي مَنْ كَانَ هَاهُنَا مِنْ مَشِيخَةِ قُرَيْشٍ مِنْ مُهَاجِرَةِ الْفَتْحِ،
فَدَعَوْتُهُمْ، فَلَمْ يَخْتَلِفْ مِنْهُمْ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلَانِ،
فَقَالُوا: نَرَى أَنْ تَرْجِعَ بِالنَّاسِ وَلَا تُقْدِمَهُمْ عَلَى هَذَا الْوَبَاءِ،
فَنَادَى عُمَرُ فِي النَّاسِ: إِنِّي مُصَبِّحٌ عَلَى ظَهْرٍ، فَأَصْبِحُوا عَلَيْهِ.
فَقَالَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ:
أَفِرَارًا مِنْ قَدَرِ اللَّهِ؟
فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: لَوْ غَيْرُكَ قَالَهَا يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ!
نَعَمْ، نَفِرُّ مِنْ قَدَرِ اللَّهِ إِلَى قَدَرِ اللَّهِ،
أَرَأَيْتَ لَوْ كَانَ لَكَ إِبِلٌ، هَبَطَتْ وَادِيًا لَهُ عِدَّتَانِ، إِحْدَاهُمَا خَصِيبَةٌ وَالْأُخْرَى جَدْبَةٌ،
أَلَيْسَ إِنْ رَعَيْتَ الْخَصِيبَةَ رَعَيْتَهَا بِقَدَرِ اللَّهِ،
وَإِنْ رَعَيْتَ الْجَدْبَةَ رَعَيْتَهَا بِقَدَرِ اللَّهِ؟
قَالَ: فَجَاءَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ،
وَكَانَ مُتَغَيِّبًا فِي بَعْضِ حَاجَتِهِ، فَقَالَ:
إِنَّ عِنْدِي فِي هَذَا عِلْمًا،
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
«إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ بِهِ بِأَرْضٍ فَلَا تَقْدَمُوا عَلَيْهِ، وَإِذَا وَقَعَ بِأَرْضٍ وَأَنْتُمْ بِهَا فَلَا تَخْرُجُوا فِرَارًا مِنْهُ».
قَالَ: فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ عُمَرُ، ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ.
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5729
Translation:
Hazrat Abdullah bin ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated the incident:
When ‘Umar bin al-Khattab رضي الله عنه was on his way to Syria and reached Sargh, the commanders informed him that the land was afflicted by plague. After consulting the Muhajirun, Ansar, and senior Quraysh, he decided to return to Madinah.
Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه said, “Are you fleeing from Allah’s decree?”
‘Umar رضي الله عنه replied, “Would that someone else had said this, O Abu ‘Ubaidah! Yes, we flee from Allah’s decree to Allah’s decree.”
Then ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf رضي الله عنه arrived and said: “I have knowledge regarding this matter. I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
‘If you hear of plague in a land, do not enter it, and if it occurs in a land where you are, do not leave it to escape.’”
Upon hearing this, ‘Umar رضي الله عنه praised Allah and returned.
Arabic Text:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
«المبطون شهيد، والمطعون شهيد»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5733
English Translation:
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“One who dies of a stomach illness is a martyr, and one who dies of plague is also a martyr.”
Arabic Text:
عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه: أن ناسًا من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أتوا على حيٍّ من أحياء العرب فلم يقروهم، فبينما هم كذلك إذ لُدِغَ سيِّدُ أولئك، فقالوا: هل معكم من دواءٍ أو راقٍ؟ فقالوا: إنكم لم تقرونا ولا نفعل حتى تجعلوا لنا جُعْلًا، فجعلوا لهم قطيعًا من الشاء، فجعل يقرأ بأمِّ القرآن ويجمع بزاقه ويتفل، فبرأ، فأتوا بالشاء، فقالوا: لا نأخذه حتى نسأل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فسألوه فضحك وقال: «وما أدراكَ أنها رُقْيَة؟ خذوها واضربوا لي بسهمٍ»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5736
English Translation:
Abu Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrated:
Some of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ passed by a tribe among the Arabs who did not host them. Meanwhile, the chief of that tribe was bitten by a creature. They said, “Do you have any medicine or healer?” The Companions replied, “You did not host us, so we will not treat him until you agree on a reward.” They agreed on a flock of sheep. One of them recited Umm al-Qur’an (Sūrah al-Fātiḥah), gathered his saliva and blew upon the wound, and the man recovered. They brought the sheep, but the Companions said, “We will not take them until we ask the Prophet ﷺ.”
When they informed him, he smiled and said:
“How did you know that it is a ruqyah (healing recitation)? Take them, and give me a share as well.”
Arabic Text:
﴿الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣﴾ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴿٤﴾ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥﴾ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ﴿٧﴾﴾
(Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, 1:2–7)
Translation:
“All praise is for Allah—Lord of the worlds,
The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
Guide us to the straight path—
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favor,
Not of those who incurred wrath, nor of those who went astray.”
Arabic Text:
عن أم سلمة رضي الله عنها: أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رأى في بيتها جاريةً في وجهها سَفْعَة، فقال:
«استرقوا لها فإن بها النَّظْرَة»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5739
English Translation:
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ saw a girl in her house who had a blackish mark on her face and said:
“Perform ruqyah for her, for she is afflicted by the evil eye.”
Arabic Text:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
«العين حق، ونهى عن الوَشْم»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5740
English Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The (effect of) the evil eye is true.”
And he forbade tattooing.
Arabic Text:
عن أبي أمامة بن سهل بن حنيف رضي الله عنه قال:
رأى عامر بن ربيعة سهل بن حنيف يغتسل، فقال: والله ما رأيت كاليوم ولا جلدَ مُخبأة، قال: فلبط سهل، فأتى رسولَ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقيل له: يا رسول الله، هل لك في سهل بن حنيف؟ والله ما يرفع رأسه! فقال: هل تتهمون له أحدًا؟ قالوا: نتهم عامر بن ربيعة.
فدعا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عامرًا، فتغلَّظ عليه، وقال: «علامَ يقتل أحدُكم أخاه؟ ألا برَّكتَ! اغتسل له».
فغسل عامر وجهه ويديه ومرفقيه وركبتيه وأطراف رجليه وداخلة إزاره في قدح، ثم صُبَّ عليه، فراح مع الناس ليس به بأس.
Sharḥ al-Sunnah 12/164, no. 3245; al-Muwaṭṭaʾ of Imām Mālik 2/939, no. 1811; Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-ʿAyn, no. 3509 — authenticated by al-Albānī.
English Translation:
Abu Umāmah ibn Sahl ibn Ḥunayf رضي الله عنه narrated:
ʿĀmir ibn Rabīʿah رضي الله عنه saw Sahl ibn Ḥunayf رضي الله عنه bathing and said, “By Allah! I have never seen skin as beautiful and fair as this!” Sahl immediately fell unconscious.
He was brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and it was said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you know what happened to Sahl ibn Ḥunayf? He cannot even raise his head!”
The Prophet ﷺ asked, “Do you suspect anyone?” They said, “We suspect ʿĀmir ibn Rabīʿah.”
The Prophet ﷺ called ʿĀmir and rebuked him, saying:
“Would one of you kill his brother? Why did you not say: ‘May Allah bless you’? Wash for him.”
So ʿĀmir washed his face, hands, elbows, knees, the tips of his feet, and the inside of his garment in a vessel, and that water was poured over Sahl. He recovered immediately and walked away with no harm upon him.
Arabic Text:
عن عبد العزيز قال: دخلت أنا وثابت على أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه، فقال ثابت: يا أبا حمزة، اشتكيت. فقال أنس رضي الله عنه: ألا أرقيك برقية رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قال: بلى. قال:
«اللهم ربَّ الناس، مُذهبَ البأس، اشفِ أنت الشافي، لا شفاءَ إلا شفاؤك، شفاءً لا يغادر سقمًا»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5742
English Translation:
ʿAbdul-ʿAzīz narrated: I and Thābit visited Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه. Thābit said, “O Abu Ḥamzah! I am unwell.”
Anas رضي الله عنه said, “Shall I recite for you the ruqyah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?” He said, “Yes.”
Anas recited:
“O Allah, Lord of mankind, remover of distress, grant healing, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing—a healing that leaves behind no illness.”
Arabic Text:
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعوِّذ بعضَ أهله، يمسح بيده اليمنى ويقول:
«اللهم ربَّ الناس، أذهب البأس، اشفِ وأنت الشافي، لا شفاءَ إلا شفاؤك، شفاءً لا يغادر سقمًا».
قال سفيان: حدَّثتُ به منصورًا فحدَّثني عن إبراهيم عن مسروق عن عائشة رضي الله عنها نحوه.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5743
English Translation:
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ would recite ruqyah for some of his family, wiping them with his right hand and saying:
“O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the affliction and grant healing, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing—a healing that leaves behind no sickness.”
Sufyān said: I related this to Manṣūr, and he narrated it to me from Ibrāhīm, from Masrūq, from ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها, in similar wording.
Arabic Verse:
﴿وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ﴾
(Ash-Shuʿarāʾ 26:80)
Translation:
“And when I fall ill, it is He who heals me.”
Arabic Text:
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يرقي، يقول:
«امسح البأس، ربَّ الناس، بيدِكَ الشفاء، لا كاشفَ له إلا أنت»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5744
English Translation:
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform ruqyah and say:
“Remove the suffering, O Lord of mankind! In Your Hand is the healing, and none can remove it except You.”
Arabic Text:
Sūrah al-Falaq (113):
﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ﴿١﴾ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ﴿٢﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ﴿٣﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ ﴿٤﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ﴿٥﴾﴾
Sūrah an-Nās (114):
﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ ﴿١﴾ مَلِكِ النَّاسِ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ ﴿٣﴾ مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ ﴿٤﴾ الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ ﴿٥﴾ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ ﴿٦﴾﴾
Translation:
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak…
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind… (complete verses above).
Arabic Text:
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أوى إلى فراشه نفث في كفّيه بـ«قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ» وبالمعوذتين جميعًا، ثم يمسح بهما وجهه وما بلغت يداه من جسده.
قالت عائشة رضي الله عنها: فلما اشتكى، كان يأمرني أن أفعل ذلك به.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5748
English Translation:
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
When the Prophet ﷺ went to bed, he would blow into his hands after reciting Sūrah al-Ikhlāṣ and the two chapters of refuge (al-Falaq and an-Nās), then wipe his face and whatever parts of his body his hands could reach.
When he became ill, he would order me to do this for him.
Arabic Text:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
«اجتنبوا الموبقات: الشركَ بالله، والسحر»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5767
English Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Avoid the destructive sins: associating partners with Allah (shirk) and practicing magic (siḥr).”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
سُحِرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ يَفْعَلُ الشَّيْءَ وَمَا يَفْعَلُهُ، حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَهُوَ عِنْدِي دَعَا اللَّهَ وَدَعَاهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ:
«أَشَعَرْتِ يَا عَائِشَةُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَفْتَانِي فِيمَا اسْتَفْتَيْتُهُ فِيهِ؟»
قُلْتُ: وَمَا ذَاكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟
قَالَ: «جَاءَنِي رَجُلَانِ فَجَلَسَ أَحَدُهُمَا عِنْدَ رَأْسِي وَالْآخَرُ عِنْدَ رِجْلَيَّ، فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ: مَا وَجَعُ الرَّجُلِ؟ قَالَ: مَطْبُوبٌ. قَالَ: وَمَنْ طَبَّهُ؟ قَالَ: لَبِيدُ بْنُ الْأَعْصَمِ الْيَهُودِيُّ مِنْ بَنِي زُرَيْقٍ. قَالَ: فِيمَاذَا؟ قَالَ: فِي مُشْطٍ وَمُشَاطَةٍ وَجُفِّ طَلْعَةِ ذَكَرٍ. قَالَ: فَأَيْنَ هُوَ؟ قَالَ: فِي بِئْرِ ذَرْوَانَ.»
فَذَهَبَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي أُنَاسٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ إِلَى الْبِئْرِ، فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا وَعَلَيْهَا نَخْلٌ، ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ فَقَالَ:
«وَاللَّهِ لَكَأَنَّ مَاءَهَا نُقَاعَةُ الْحِنَّاءِ، وَلَكَأَنَّ نَخْلَهَا رُءُوسُ الشَّيَاطِينِ.»
قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَفَلَا أَخْرَجْتَهُ؟
قَالَ: «أَمَّا أَنَا فَقَدْ عَافَانِيَ اللَّهُ، وَشَفَانِي، وَخَشِيتُ أَنْ أُثِيرَ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنْهُ شَرًّا»،
فَأَمَرَ بِهَا فَدُفِنَتْ.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5766
English Translation:
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was affected by magic, to the extent that he imagined he had done something though he had not done it.
One day, while he was with me, he invoked Allah for a long time, then said:
“O ʿĀ’ishah! Do you know that Allah has answered me regarding what I asked Him?”
I said, “What is that, O Messenger of Allah?”
He said:
“Two men came to me; one sat at my head and the other at my feet. One of them asked: ‘What is wrong with this man?’ The other replied: ‘He is under the effect of magic.’ He asked: ‘Who cast it upon him?’ The other said: ‘Labeed ibn al-Aʿṣam, the Jew, from the tribe of Banu Zurayq.’ He asked: ‘In what did he use it?’ He said: ‘In a comb, the hair from it, and the spathe of a male date-palm.’ He asked: ‘Where is it?’ He replied: ‘In the well of Dhurwān.’”
So the Prophet ﷺ went with some of his Companions to that well. He looked into it, and there were date-palms around it. Then he returned and said:
“By Allah, its water looks like it has been mixed with henna, and its date-palms resemble the heads of devils.”
I asked, “O Messenger of Allah, did you take it out?”
He said:
“Allah has cured me and restored my health. I feared causing evil among the people, so I ordered it to be buried.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّهُ قَدِمَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَخَطَبَا، فَعَجِبَ النَّاسُ لِبَيَانِهِمَا، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«إِنَّ مِنَ الْبَيَانِ لَسِحْرًا، أَوْ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الْبَيَانِ لَسِحْرٌ»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5767
English Translation:
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated:
Two men came from the East and delivered eloquent speeches that impressed the people.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Indeed, some forms of eloquence are as effective as magic.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ:
«مَنْ اصْطَبَحَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ تَمَرَاتٍ مِنْ عَجْوَةٍ، لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ سُمٌّ وَلَا سِحْرٌ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ.»
وَقَالَ غَيْرُهُ: «سَبْعَ تَمَرَاتٍ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5768
English Translation:
Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever eats every morning seven ʿAjwah dates, no poison or magic will harm him that day until nightfall.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ:
«لَا عَدْوَى وَلَا طِيَرَةَ، وَيُعْجِبُنِي الْفَأْلُ.»
قَالُوا: وَمَا الْفَأْلُ؟
قَالَ: «كَلِمَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5776
English Translation:
Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no contagious disease by itself, and no (real) evil omens, but I like optimism.”
They asked, “What is optimism?”
He said: “A good word (pleasant saying).”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ:
«إِذَا وَقَعَ الذُّبَابُ فِي إِنَاءِ أَحَدِكُمْ، فَلْيَغْمِسْهُ كُلَّهُ، ثُمَّ لْيَطْرَحْهُ، فَإِنَّ فِي أَحَدِ جَنَاحَيْهِ شِفَاءً، وَفِي الْآخَرِ دَاءً.»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5782
English Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“If a fly falls into the drink of one of you, let him dip it completely and then throw it away, for one of its wings carries disease while the other carries its cure.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«لِكُلِّ دَاءٍ دَوَاءٌ، فَإِذَا أُصِيبَ دَوَاءُ الدَّاءِ بَرَأَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Salām, ḥadīth no. 5741
English Translation:
Jābir رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“For every disease there is a remedy, and when the remedy corresponds to the disease, it cures by the permission of Allah.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنِ الرُّقَى، فَجَاءَ آلُ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ، فَقَالُوا:
يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّهُ كَانَتْ عِنْدَنَا رُقْيَةٌ نَرْقِي بِهَا مِنَ الْعَقْرَبِ، وَأَنْتَ نَهَيْتَ عَنِ الرُّقَى.
فَعَرَضُوهَا عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: «مَا أَرَى بِهَا بَأْسًا، مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَنْفَعَ أَخَاهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Salām, ḥadīth no. 5731
English Translation:
Jābir رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade ruqyah (incantations). Then the family of ʿAmr ibn Ḥazm came and said:
“O Messenger of Allah! We had a ruqyah that we used for scorpion stings, but you forbade ruqyah.”
They presented it to him, and he said:
“There is nothing wrong with it. Whoever among you can benefit his brother, let him do so.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ الْأَشْجَعِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
كُنَّا نَرْقِي فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، فَقُلْنَا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، كَيْفَ تَرَى فِي ذَلِكَ؟
فَقَالَ: «اعْرِضُوا عَلَيَّ رُقَاكُمْ، لَا بَأْسَ بِالرُّقَى مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ شِرْكٌ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Salām, ḥadīth no. 5732
English Translation:
ʿAwf ibn Mālik al-Ashjaʿī رضي الله عنه said:
“We used to recite ruqyah in pre-Islamic times, so we asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, ‘What is your view on that?’”
He said:
“Present your ruqyah to me; there is nothing wrong with ruqyah as long as it does not involve shirk (polytheism).”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنِ الدَّوَاءِ الْخَبِيثِ.
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3870
English Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the use of impure (ḥarām) substances as medicine.
Arabic Text:
عَنْ خَارِجَةَ بْنِ الصَّلْتِ التَّمِيمِيِّ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ قَالَ:
أَقْبَلْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ، فَأَتَيْنَا عَلَى حَيٍّ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ، فَقَالُوا:
إِنَّا أُنْبِئْنَا أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ جِئْتُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ بِخَيْرٍ، فَهَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ مِنْ دَوَاءٍ أَوْ رُقْيَةٍ، فَإِنَّ عِنْدَنَا مَعْتُوهًا فِي الْقُيُودِ؟
قَالَ: فَقُلْنَا: نَعَمْ.
فَجَاءُوا بِمَعْتُوهِهِمْ فِي الْقُيُودِ، قَالَ: فَقَرَأْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ غُدْوَةً وَعَشِيَّةً، كُلَّمَا خَتَمْتُهَا أَجْمَعُ بُزَاقِي، ثُمَّ أَنْفُلُهُ، فَكَأَنَّمَا نُشِطَ مِنْ عِقَالٍ.
قَالَ: فَأَعْطَوْنِي جُعْلًا، فَقُلْتُ: لَا حَتَّى أَسْأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ.
فَسَأَلْتُهُ، فَقَالَ:
«كُلْ، فَلَعَمْرِي، مَنْ أَكَلَ بِرُقْيَةِ بَاطِلٍ، فَقَدْ أَكَلْتَ بِرُقْيَةِ حَقٍّ.»
Musnad Aḥmad, vol. 2, p. 305
English Translation:
Khārijah ibn aṣ-Ṣalt at-Tamīmī narrated from his uncle:
We returned from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and came upon an Arab tribe who said:
“We have been informed that you came from this man (the Prophet ﷺ) with goodness. Do you have any medicine or ruqyah? For we have a madman in chains.”
We said, “Yes.” They brought the madman in chains. I recited Sūrah al-Fātiḥah over him for three days, morning and evening. Each time I completed it, I gathered my saliva and blew upon him, and he was freed as though released from bonds.
They offered me a reward, but I said, “I will not take it until I ask the Prophet ﷺ.”
When I asked, he said:
“Take it, for by my life, those who consume reward for false ruqyah are wrong, but you have eaten for a true ruqyah.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، يُسْأَلُ عَنْ جُرْحِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ، فَقَالَ:
جُرِحَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ، وَكُسِرَتْ رَبَاعِيَّتُهُ، وَهُشِمَتِ الْبَيْضَةُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ، فَكَانَتْ فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَغْسِلُ الدَّمَ، وَكَانَ عَلِيٌّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يَصُبُّ عَلَيْهَا بِالْمِجَنِّ، فَلَمَّا رَأَتْ فَاطِمَةُ أَنَّ الْمَاءَ لَا يَزِيدُ الدَّمَ إِلَّا كَثْرَةً، أَخَذَتْ قِطْعَةَ حَصِيرٍ فَأَحْرَقَتْهَا حَتَّى صَارَتْ رَمَادًا، ثُمَّ أَلْصَقَتْهُ بِالْجُرْحِ، فَاسْتَمْسَكَ الدَّمُ.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jihād, ḥadīth no. 5248
English Translation:
Sahl ibn Saʿd رضي الله عنه was asked about the injury of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the Day of Uhud. He said:
“The face of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was wounded, one of his front teeth was broken, and the helmet on his head was smashed. Fāṭimah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, was washing the blood while ʿAlī رضي الله عنه poured water using a shield. When Fāṭimah saw that pouring water only increased the bleeding, she took a piece of mat, burnt it to ashes, and applied the ashes to the wound, whereupon the bleeding stopped.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أُمِّ الْمُنْذِرِ بِنْتِ قَيْسٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَمَعَهُ عَلِيٌّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، وَعَلِيٌّ نَاقِهٌ، وَلَنَا دَوَالٍ مُعَلَّقَةٌ، فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهَا، وَقَامَ عَلِيٌّ لِيَأْكُلَ، فَطَفِقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ لِعَلِيٍّ: «مَهْ، إِنَّكَ نَاقِهٌ»، حَتَّى كَفَّ عَلِيٌّ، قَالَتْ:
وَصَنَعْتُ شَعِيرًا وَسَلْقًا، فَجِئْتُ بِهِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «يَا عَلِيُّ، أَصِبْ مِنْ هَذَا، فَهُوَ أَنْفَعُ لَكَ.»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3856
English Translation:
Umm al-Mundhir bint Qays al-Anṣāriyyah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to my house with ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, who had recently recovered from illness. There were clusters of dates hanging. The Prophet ﷺ began eating, and ʿAlī also started to eat. The Prophet ﷺ said to him repeatedly:
“Stop, O ʿAlī, for you have just recovered.”
So ʿAlī stopped. She said: “I then prepared barley and beet leaves and brought them.” The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Eat from this, O ʿAlī; it is better for your health.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ شَرِيكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، رَفَعَهُ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«تَدَاوَوْا، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَمْ يَضَعْ دَاءً إِلَّا وَضَعَ لَهُ دَوَاءً، غَيْرَ دَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ: الْهَرَمُ.»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3855
English Translation:
Usāmah ibn Sharīk رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Seek treatment, for indeed Allah has not made a disease without appointing a cure for it — except one disease: old age.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ حَفْصَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ أَتَى عَرَّافًا فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ، لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Salām, ḥadīth no. 5821
English Translation:
Ḥafṣah رضي الله عنها narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever visits a fortune-teller and asks him about anything, his prayers will not be accepted for forty nights.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ اقْتَبَسَ عِلْمًا مِنَ النُّجُومِ، اقْتَبَسَ شُعْبَةً مِنَ السِّحْرِ، زَادَ مَا زَادَ.»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3905
English Translation:
Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever acquires knowledge of the stars (astrology) has acquired a branch of sorcery; the more he learns, the deeper he goes into magic.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ سَلْمَى خَادِمِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ:
مَا كَانَ أَحَدٌ يَشْتَكِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَجَعًا فِي رَأْسِهِ، إِلَّا قَالَ: «احْتَجِمْ.»
وَلَا وَجَعًا فِي رِجْلَيْهِ، إِلَّا قَالَ: «اخْضِبْهُمَا.»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3858
English Translation:
Salmā, the servant of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, said:
“Whenever anyone complained to the Prophet ﷺ of pain in the head, he would say: ‘Get cupped.’
And whoever complained of pain in the legs, he would say: ‘Dye them with henna.’”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ طَارِقِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ الْجُعْفِيِّ، أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ، فَنَهَاهُ أَوْ كَرِهَ أَنْ يَصْنَعَهَا، فَقَالَ: إِنَّمَا أَصْنَعُهَا لِلدَّوَاءِ.
فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: «إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ بِدَوَاءٍ، وَلَكِنَّهَا دَاءٌ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ashriba, ḥadīth no. 5141
English Translation:
Ṭāriq ibn Suwayd al-Juʿfī narrated:
He asked the Prophet ﷺ about wine, and the Prophet forbade him or disliked its preparation. The man said: “I only make it as medicine.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“It is not a medicine; rather, it is a disease.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ عِيسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى قَالَ:
دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُكَيْمٍ أَبِي مَعْبَدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ أَعُودُهُ، وَبِهِ حُمَرَةٌ، فَقُلْنَا: أَلَا تَعَلَّقُ شَيْئًا؟
قَالَ: أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ.
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: «مَنْ تَعَلَّقَ شَيْئًا، وُكِلَ إِلَيْهِ.»
Musnad Aḥmad, ḥadīth no. 2707
English Translation:
ʿĪsā ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Abū Laylā said:
I visited ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUkaym while he was suffering from redness (inflammation). We said: “Why don’t you hang something (as a charm)?”
He replied: “I seek refuge in Allah from that.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever hangs something (as a charm), will be left to that thing.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، أَنَّ جِبْرِيلَ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ:
يَا مُحَمَّدُ، اشْتَكَيْتَ؟
قَالَ: نَعَمْ.
قَالَ: «بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُؤْذِيكَ، مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ وَعَيْنٍ حَاسِدَةٍ، اللَّهُ يَشْفِيكَ، بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ.»
Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Abwāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 2072
English Translation:
Abu Saʿīd رضي الله عنه narrated:
Jibrīl (Gabriel) came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:
“O Muḥammad, are you unwell?”
He replied, “Yes.”
Jibrīl said:
“In the Name of Allah I perform ruqyah for you — from everything that harms you, from the evil of every soul and envious eye. May Allah heal you; in the Name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you.”
Arabic Text:
عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ قَالَ:
قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أُمُورًا كُنَّا نَصْنَعُهَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، كُنَّا نَأْتِي الْكُهَّانَ.
قَالَ: «فَلَا تَأْتُوا الْكُهَّانَ.»
قُلْتُ: كُنَّا نَتَطَيَّرُ.
قَالَ: «ذَاكَ شَيْءٌ يَجِدُهُ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ، فَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمْ.»
قُلْتُ: وَمِنَّا رِجَالٌ يَخُطُّونَ.
قَالَ: «كَانَ نَبِيٌّ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ يَخُطُّ، فَمَنْ وَافَقَ خَطَّهُ فَذَاكَ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, ḥadīth no. 1199
English Translation:
Muʿāwiyah ibn al-Ḥakam narrated:
I said, “O Messenger of Allah! We used to do certain things in the pre-Islamic days — we went to soothsayers.”
He said: “Do not go to soothsayers.”
I said, “We used to take omens from birds.”
He said: “That is something you may feel in your heart, but it should not prevent you (from acting).”
I said, “Some among us draw lines (for divination).”
He said: “A Prophet used to draw lines; whoever’s line coincides with his, that is acceptable.”
وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَيْرِ خَلْقِهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ
May Allah send His blessings upon the best of His creation, Muhammad ﷺ, his family, and all his companions.
إن الحمد لله نحمده، ونستعينه، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأن محمداً عبده ورسوله. أما بعد:
Every Disease Has a Cure
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا﴾
(Al-Isra 17:82)Translation:
“And We send down in the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.”
Hadith 1
«عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ما أنزل الله داء إلا أنزل له شفاء»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5678Translation:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah has not sent down any disease except that He has also sent down its cure.”
Cure Lies in Three Things
Hadith 2
«وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: الشفاء في ثلاث: شربة عسل، وشرطة محجم، وكية نار، وأنهى أمتي عن الكي»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5680Translation:
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Cure is in three things: a drink of honey, cupping, and cauterization with fire; but I forbid my Ummah from cauterization.”
Treatment with Honey
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿ثُمَّ كُلِي مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ فَاسْلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ﴾
(Al-Nahl 16:69)Translation:
“Then eat from all fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy. There emerges from their bellies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for people. Indeed, in that is a sign for a people who give thought.”
Hadith 3
«عن أبى سعيد رضي الله عنه: أن رجلاً أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: أخي يشتكي بطنه، فقال: اسقه عسلاً ... فقال: صدق الله وكذب بطن أخيك، اسقه عسلاً، فسقاه فبرأ»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5684Translation:
Hazrat Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “My brother has pain in his stomach.”
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Give him honey to drink.”
He came again, and the Prophet ﷺ repeated, “Give him honey.”
He came the third time, and the Prophet ﷺ again said, “Give him honey.”
He said, “I have already given him honey.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Allah has spoken the truth, and your brother’s stomach has lied. Give him honey again.”
So he gave him honey, and he was cured.
Healing with Black Seed (Kalonji)
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ﴾
(Al-An‘am 6:17)Translation:
“If Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it except Him.”
Hadith 4
«عن خالد بن سعد رضي الله عنه قال: خرجنا ومعنا غالب بن أبجر ... إن هذه الحبة السوداء شفاء من كل داء إلا من السام. قلت: وما السام؟ قال: الموت»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5687Translation:
Hazrat Khalid bin Sa‘d رضي الله عنه narrated:
We set out on a journey with Hazrat Ghalib bin Abjar رضي الله عنه, and he became ill on the way. When we reached Madinah, he was still sick. Ibn Abi ‘Atiq رضي الله عنه visited him and said, “Use this black seed. Take five or seven grains, crush them, mix with oil, and apply drops in each nostril.”
Then he said, “I heard from ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها that she heard the Prophet ﷺ say:
‘This black seed is a cure for every disease except as-sām (death).’”
I asked, “What is as-sām?” He said, “Death.”
Treatment with Indian Costus (Oud al-Hindi)
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾
(Yunus 10:57)Translation:
“O mankind! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a healing for what is in the breasts, and guidance and mercy for the believers.”
Hadith 5
«عن أم قيس بنت محصن رضي الله عنها قالت: سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: عليكم بهذا العود الهندي، فإن فيه سبعة أشفية، يستعط به من العذرة، ويلد به من ذات الجنب»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5692Translation:
Hazrat Umm Qays bint Mihsan رضي الله عنها narrated that she heard the Prophet ﷺ say:
“Use this Indian costus, for it contains seven cures. It is used as a snuff for throat ailments and taken orally for chest diseases.”
Healing Through Cupping (Hijāmah)
Hadith 6
«عن أنس رضي الله عنه ... قال: إن أمثل ما تداويتم به الحجامة والقسط البحري»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5696Translation:
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrated:
When the Prophet ﷺ was asked about the wages of a cupper, he said: “The best treatment you use is cupping and al-qust al-bahri (costus). Do not torture your children by pressing their tonsils for throat illness; rather, use costus.”
Cupping for Headache (Migraine)
Hadith 7
«عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم احتجم وهو محرم في رأسه من شقيقة كانت به»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5701Translation:
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was cupped on his head while in the state of Ihrām because of a migraine he suffered from.
Treatment of Eyes with Mushroom Water
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿وَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَىٰ ۖ كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ﴾
(Al-A‘raf 7:160)Translation:
“And We sent down upon them manna and quails, and said: Eat from the good things We have provided you.”
Hadith 8
«عن سعيد بن زيد رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: الكمأة من المن وماؤها شفاء للعين»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5708Translation:
Hazrat Sa‘id bin Zayd رضي الله عنه narrated:
I heard the Prophet ﷺ say: “The truffle (mushroom) is from manna, and its water is a cure for the eye.”
Healing Through Water
Hadith 9
«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: لما ثقل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ... هريقوا علي من سبع قرب لم تحلل أوكيتها لعلي أعهد إلى الناس ...»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5714Translation:
Hazrat ‘Aishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
When the illness of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became severe, he sought permission from his wives to be nursed in her house, and they allowed it. Supported by two men, his feet dragging on the ground—‘Abbas رضي الله عنه and another man (‘Ali رضي الله عنه)—he entered her room.
He then said: “Pour water from seven water-skins whose seals are untied over me, so that I may instruct the people.”
They seated him in a basin belonging to Hafsah رضي الله عنها and poured water upon him until he gestured that they had done enough. Then he went out to the people, led them in prayer, and addressed them.
Dealing with Epidemic (Plague)
Hadith 10
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا:
أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ خَرَجَ إِلَى الشَّامِ،
حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ بِسَرْغٍ لَقِيَهُ أُمَرَاءُ الْأَجْنَادِ،
أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ وَأَصْحَابُهُ،
فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ الْوَبَاءَ قَدْ وَقَعَ بِأَرْضِ الشَّامِ،
قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ:
فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: ادْعُ لِي الْمُهَاجِرِينَ الْأَوَّلِينَ،
فَدَعَاهُمْ فَاسْتَشَارَهُمْ، فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ الْوَبَاءَ قَدْ وَقَعَ بِالشَّامِ، فَاخْتَلَفُوا،
فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: قَدْ خَرَجْنَا لِأَمْرٍ وَلَا نَرَى أَنْ نَرْجِعَ عَنْهُ،
وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: مَعَكَ بَقِيَّةُ النَّاسِ وَأَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ،
وَلَا نَرَى أَنْ تُقْدِمَهُمْ عَلَى هَذَا الْوَبَاءِ،
فَقَالَ: ارْتَفِعُوا عَنِّي.
ثُمَّ قَالَ: ادْعُ لِي الْأَنْصَارَ،
فَدَعَوْتُهُمْ فَاسْتَشَارَهُمْ، فَسَلَكُوا سَبِيلَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ، وَاخْتَلَفُوا كَاخْتِلَافِهِمْ،
فَقَالَ: ارْتَفِعُوا عَنِّي.
ثُمَّ قَالَ: ادْعُ لِي مَنْ كَانَ هَاهُنَا مِنْ مَشِيخَةِ قُرَيْشٍ مِنْ مُهَاجِرَةِ الْفَتْحِ،
فَدَعَوْتُهُمْ، فَلَمْ يَخْتَلِفْ مِنْهُمْ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلَانِ،
فَقَالُوا: نَرَى أَنْ تَرْجِعَ بِالنَّاسِ وَلَا تُقْدِمَهُمْ عَلَى هَذَا الْوَبَاءِ،
فَنَادَى عُمَرُ فِي النَّاسِ: إِنِّي مُصَبِّحٌ عَلَى ظَهْرٍ، فَأَصْبِحُوا عَلَيْهِ.
فَقَالَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ:
أَفِرَارًا مِنْ قَدَرِ اللَّهِ؟
فَقَالَ عُمَرُ: لَوْ غَيْرُكَ قَالَهَا يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ!
نَعَمْ، نَفِرُّ مِنْ قَدَرِ اللَّهِ إِلَى قَدَرِ اللَّهِ،
أَرَأَيْتَ لَوْ كَانَ لَكَ إِبِلٌ، هَبَطَتْ وَادِيًا لَهُ عِدَّتَانِ، إِحْدَاهُمَا خَصِيبَةٌ وَالْأُخْرَى جَدْبَةٌ،
أَلَيْسَ إِنْ رَعَيْتَ الْخَصِيبَةَ رَعَيْتَهَا بِقَدَرِ اللَّهِ،
وَإِنْ رَعَيْتَ الْجَدْبَةَ رَعَيْتَهَا بِقَدَرِ اللَّهِ؟
قَالَ: فَجَاءَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ،
وَكَانَ مُتَغَيِّبًا فِي بَعْضِ حَاجَتِهِ، فَقَالَ:
إِنَّ عِنْدِي فِي هَذَا عِلْمًا،
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
«إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ بِهِ بِأَرْضٍ فَلَا تَقْدَمُوا عَلَيْهِ، وَإِذَا وَقَعَ بِأَرْضٍ وَأَنْتُمْ بِهَا فَلَا تَخْرُجُوا فِرَارًا مِنْهُ».
قَالَ: فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ عُمَرُ، ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ.
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tibb, Hadith No. 5729Translation:
Hazrat Abdullah bin ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated the incident:
When ‘Umar bin al-Khattab رضي الله عنه was on his way to Syria and reached Sargh, the commanders informed him that the land was afflicted by plague. After consulting the Muhajirun, Ansar, and senior Quraysh, he decided to return to Madinah.
Abu ‘Ubaidah رضي الله عنه said, “Are you fleeing from Allah’s decree?”
‘Umar رضي الله عنه replied, “Would that someone else had said this, O Abu ‘Ubaidah! Yes, we flee from Allah’s decree to Allah’s decree.”
Then ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf رضي الله عنه arrived and said: “I have knowledge regarding this matter. I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
‘If you hear of plague in a land, do not enter it, and if it occurs in a land where you are, do not leave it to escape.’”
Upon hearing this, ‘Umar رضي الله عنه praised Allah and returned.
❖ The Virtue of One Who Dies from Plague
ḥadīth 11
Arabic Text:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
«المبطون شهيد، والمطعون شهيد»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5733English Translation:
Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“One who dies of a stomach illness is a martyr, and one who dies of plague is also a martyr.”
❖ Healing Through Sūrah al-Fātiḥah
ḥadīth 12
Arabic Text:
عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه: أن ناسًا من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أتوا على حيٍّ من أحياء العرب فلم يقروهم، فبينما هم كذلك إذ لُدِغَ سيِّدُ أولئك، فقالوا: هل معكم من دواءٍ أو راقٍ؟ فقالوا: إنكم لم تقرونا ولا نفعل حتى تجعلوا لنا جُعْلًا، فجعلوا لهم قطيعًا من الشاء، فجعل يقرأ بأمِّ القرآن ويجمع بزاقه ويتفل، فبرأ، فأتوا بالشاء، فقالوا: لا نأخذه حتى نسأل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فسألوه فضحك وقال: «وما أدراكَ أنها رُقْيَة؟ خذوها واضربوا لي بسهمٍ»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5736English Translation:
Abu Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrated:
Some of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ passed by a tribe among the Arabs who did not host them. Meanwhile, the chief of that tribe was bitten by a creature. They said, “Do you have any medicine or healer?” The Companions replied, “You did not host us, so we will not treat him until you agree on a reward.” They agreed on a flock of sheep. One of them recited Umm al-Qur’an (Sūrah al-Fātiḥah), gathered his saliva and blew upon the wound, and the man recovered. They brought the sheep, but the Companions said, “We will not take them until we ask the Prophet ﷺ.”
When they informed him, he smiled and said:
“How did you know that it is a ruqyah (healing recitation)? Take them, and give me a share as well.”
✿ Verses Recited in Ruqyah —
Arabic Text:
﴿الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣﴾ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴿٤﴾ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥﴾ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ﴿٧﴾﴾
(Sūrat al-Fātiḥah, 1:2–7)Translation:
“All praise is for Allah—Lord of the worlds,
The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,
Master of the Day of Judgment.
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
Guide us to the straight path—
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favor,
Not of those who incurred wrath, nor of those who went astray.”
❖ Ruqyah for Evil Eye (Nazar)
ḥadīth 13
Arabic Text:
عن أم سلمة رضي الله عنها: أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رأى في بيتها جاريةً في وجهها سَفْعَة، فقال:
«استرقوا لها فإن بها النَّظْرَة»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5739English Translation:
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ saw a girl in her house who had a blackish mark on her face and said:
“Perform ruqyah for her, for she is afflicted by the evil eye.”
❖ The Evil Eye Is Real
ḥadīth 14
Arabic Text:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
«العين حق، ونهى عن الوَشْم»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5740English Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The (effect of) the evil eye is true.”
And he forbade tattooing.
❖ Remedy for the Evil Eye — The Incident of Sahl ibn Ḥunayf
ḥadīth 15
Arabic Text:
عن أبي أمامة بن سهل بن حنيف رضي الله عنه قال:
رأى عامر بن ربيعة سهل بن حنيف يغتسل، فقال: والله ما رأيت كاليوم ولا جلدَ مُخبأة، قال: فلبط سهل، فأتى رسولَ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقيل له: يا رسول الله، هل لك في سهل بن حنيف؟ والله ما يرفع رأسه! فقال: هل تتهمون له أحدًا؟ قالوا: نتهم عامر بن ربيعة.
فدعا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عامرًا، فتغلَّظ عليه، وقال: «علامَ يقتل أحدُكم أخاه؟ ألا برَّكتَ! اغتسل له».
فغسل عامر وجهه ويديه ومرفقيه وركبتيه وأطراف رجليه وداخلة إزاره في قدح، ثم صُبَّ عليه، فراح مع الناس ليس به بأس.
Sharḥ al-Sunnah 12/164, no. 3245; al-Muwaṭṭaʾ of Imām Mālik 2/939, no. 1811; Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-ʿAyn, no. 3509 — authenticated by al-Albānī.English Translation:
Abu Umāmah ibn Sahl ibn Ḥunayf رضي الله عنه narrated:
ʿĀmir ibn Rabīʿah رضي الله عنه saw Sahl ibn Ḥunayf رضي الله عنه bathing and said, “By Allah! I have never seen skin as beautiful and fair as this!” Sahl immediately fell unconscious.
He was brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and it was said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you know what happened to Sahl ibn Ḥunayf? He cannot even raise his head!”
The Prophet ﷺ asked, “Do you suspect anyone?” They said, “We suspect ʿĀmir ibn Rabīʿah.”
The Prophet ﷺ called ʿĀmir and rebuked him, saying:
“Would one of you kill his brother? Why did you not say: ‘May Allah bless you’? Wash for him.”
So ʿĀmir washed his face, hands, elbows, knees, the tips of his feet, and the inside of his garment in a vessel, and that water was poured over Sahl. He recovered immediately and walked away with no harm upon him.
❖ The Prophet’s ﷺ Ruqyah (Healing Supplication)
ḥadīth 16
Arabic Text:
عن عبد العزيز قال: دخلت أنا وثابت على أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه، فقال ثابت: يا أبا حمزة، اشتكيت. فقال أنس رضي الله عنه: ألا أرقيك برقية رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قال: بلى. قال:
«اللهم ربَّ الناس، مُذهبَ البأس، اشفِ أنت الشافي، لا شفاءَ إلا شفاؤك، شفاءً لا يغادر سقمًا»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5742English Translation:
ʿAbdul-ʿAzīz narrated: I and Thābit visited Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه. Thābit said, “O Abu Ḥamzah! I am unwell.”
Anas رضي الله عنه said, “Shall I recite for you the ruqyah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?” He said, “Yes.”
Anas recited:
“O Allah, Lord of mankind, remover of distress, grant healing, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing—a healing that leaves behind no illness.”
❖ Ruqyah for One’s Family
ḥadīth 17
Arabic Text:
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعوِّذ بعضَ أهله، يمسح بيده اليمنى ويقول:
«اللهم ربَّ الناس، أذهب البأس، اشفِ وأنت الشافي، لا شفاءَ إلا شفاؤك، شفاءً لا يغادر سقمًا».
قال سفيان: حدَّثتُ به منصورًا فحدَّثني عن إبراهيم عن مسروق عن عائشة رضي الله عنها نحوه.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5743English Translation:
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ would recite ruqyah for some of his family, wiping them with his right hand and saying:
“O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the affliction and grant healing, for You are the Healer. There is no healing except Your healing—a healing that leaves behind no sickness.”
Sufyān said: I related this to Manṣūr, and he narrated it to me from Ibrāhīm, from Masrūq, from ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها, in similar wording.
✿ Healing Comes Only from Allah
Arabic Verse:
﴿وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ﴾
(Ash-Shuʿarāʾ 26:80)Translation:
“And when I fall ill, it is He who heals me.”
❖ The Prophet’s ﷺ Supplication in Ruqyah
ḥadīth 18
Arabic Text:
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يرقي، يقول:
«امسح البأس، ربَّ الناس، بيدِكَ الشفاء، لا كاشفَ له إلا أنت»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5744English Translation:
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform ruqyah and say:
“Remove the suffering, O Lord of mankind! In Your Hand is the healing, and none can remove it except You.”
❖ Seeking Protection with al-Muʿawwidhatayn (the Two Surahs of Refuge)
Arabic Text:
Sūrah al-Falaq (113):
﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ﴿١﴾ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ﴿٢﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ﴿٣﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ ﴿٤﴾ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ﴿٥﴾﴾
Sūrah an-Nās (114):
﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ ﴿١﴾ مَلِكِ النَّاسِ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ ﴿٣﴾ مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ ﴿٤﴾ الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ ﴿٥﴾ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ ﴿٦﴾﴾
Translation:
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak…
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind… (complete verses above).
ḥadīth 19
Arabic Text:
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أوى إلى فراشه نفث في كفّيه بـ«قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ» وبالمعوذتين جميعًا، ثم يمسح بهما وجهه وما بلغت يداه من جسده.
قالت عائشة رضي الله عنها: فلما اشتكى، كان يأمرني أن أفعل ذلك به.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5748English Translation:
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
When the Prophet ﷺ went to bed, he would blow into his hands after reciting Sūrah al-Ikhlāṣ and the two chapters of refuge (al-Falaq and an-Nās), then wipe his face and whatever parts of his body his hands could reach.
When he became ill, he would order me to do this for him.
❖ Shirk and Magic — Deadly Sins
ḥadīth 20
Arabic Text:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
«اجتنبوا الموبقات: الشركَ بالله، والسحر»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5767English Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Avoid the destructive sins: associating partners with Allah (shirk) and practicing magic (siḥr).”
❖ Magic (Siḥr) is Real
ḥadīth 21
Arabic Text:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
سُحِرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى إِنَّهُ لَيُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ يَفْعَلُ الشَّيْءَ وَمَا يَفْعَلُهُ، حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَهُوَ عِنْدِي دَعَا اللَّهَ وَدَعَاهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ:
«أَشَعَرْتِ يَا عَائِشَةُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَفْتَانِي فِيمَا اسْتَفْتَيْتُهُ فِيهِ؟»
قُلْتُ: وَمَا ذَاكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟
قَالَ: «جَاءَنِي رَجُلَانِ فَجَلَسَ أَحَدُهُمَا عِنْدَ رَأْسِي وَالْآخَرُ عِنْدَ رِجْلَيَّ، فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ: مَا وَجَعُ الرَّجُلِ؟ قَالَ: مَطْبُوبٌ. قَالَ: وَمَنْ طَبَّهُ؟ قَالَ: لَبِيدُ بْنُ الْأَعْصَمِ الْيَهُودِيُّ مِنْ بَنِي زُرَيْقٍ. قَالَ: فِيمَاذَا؟ قَالَ: فِي مُشْطٍ وَمُشَاطَةٍ وَجُفِّ طَلْعَةِ ذَكَرٍ. قَالَ: فَأَيْنَ هُوَ؟ قَالَ: فِي بِئْرِ ذَرْوَانَ.»
فَذَهَبَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي أُنَاسٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ إِلَى الْبِئْرِ، فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا وَعَلَيْهَا نَخْلٌ، ثُمَّ رَجَعَ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ فَقَالَ:
«وَاللَّهِ لَكَأَنَّ مَاءَهَا نُقَاعَةُ الْحِنَّاءِ، وَلَكَأَنَّ نَخْلَهَا رُءُوسُ الشَّيَاطِينِ.»
قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَفَلَا أَخْرَجْتَهُ؟
قَالَ: «أَمَّا أَنَا فَقَدْ عَافَانِيَ اللَّهُ، وَشَفَانِي، وَخَشِيتُ أَنْ أُثِيرَ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنْهُ شَرًّا»،
فَأَمَرَ بِهَا فَدُفِنَتْ.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5766English Translation:
ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was affected by magic, to the extent that he imagined he had done something though he had not done it.
One day, while he was with me, he invoked Allah for a long time, then said:
“O ʿĀ’ishah! Do you know that Allah has answered me regarding what I asked Him?”
I said, “What is that, O Messenger of Allah?”
He said:
“Two men came to me; one sat at my head and the other at my feet. One of them asked: ‘What is wrong with this man?’ The other replied: ‘He is under the effect of magic.’ He asked: ‘Who cast it upon him?’ The other said: ‘Labeed ibn al-Aʿṣam, the Jew, from the tribe of Banu Zurayq.’ He asked: ‘In what did he use it?’ He said: ‘In a comb, the hair from it, and the spathe of a male date-palm.’ He asked: ‘Where is it?’ He replied: ‘In the well of Dhurwān.’”
So the Prophet ﷺ went with some of his Companions to that well. He looked into it, and there were date-palms around it. Then he returned and said:
“By Allah, its water looks like it has been mixed with henna, and its date-palms resemble the heads of devils.”
I asked, “O Messenger of Allah, did you take it out?”
He said:
“Allah has cured me and restored my health. I feared causing evil among the people, so I ordered it to be buried.”
❖ The Power of Eloquence — Speech Like Magic
ḥadīth 22
Arabic Text:
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّهُ قَدِمَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَخَطَبَا، فَعَجِبَ النَّاسُ لِبَيَانِهِمَا، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«إِنَّ مِنَ الْبَيَانِ لَسِحْرًا، أَوْ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الْبَيَانِ لَسِحْرٌ»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5767English Translation:
ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated:
Two men came from the East and delivered eloquent speeches that impressed the people.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Indeed, some forms of eloquence are as effective as magic.”
❖ Cure for Magic — Eating ʿAjwah Dates
ḥadīth 23
Arabic Text:
عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ:
«مَنْ اصْطَبَحَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ تَمَرَاتٍ مِنْ عَجْوَةٍ، لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ سُمٌّ وَلَا سِحْرٌ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ.»
وَقَالَ غَيْرُهُ: «سَبْعَ تَمَرَاتٍ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5768English Translation:
Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever eats every morning seven ʿAjwah dates, no poison or magic will harm him that day until nightfall.”
❖ Optimism and Good Omen (al-Fa’l)
ḥadīth 24
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ:
«لَا عَدْوَى وَلَا طِيَرَةَ، وَيُعْجِبُنِي الْفَأْلُ.»
قَالُوا: وَمَا الْفَأْلُ؟
قَالَ: «كَلِمَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5776English Translation:
Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no contagious disease by itself, and no (real) evil omens, but I like optimism.”
They asked, “What is optimism?”
He said: “A good word (pleasant saying).”
❖ When a Fly Falls into a Drink
ḥadīth 25
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ:
«إِذَا وَقَعَ الذُّبَابُ فِي إِنَاءِ أَحَدِكُمْ، فَلْيَغْمِسْهُ كُلَّهُ، ثُمَّ لْيَطْرَحْهُ، فَإِنَّ فِي أَحَدِ جَنَاحَيْهِ شِفَاءً، وَفِي الْآخَرِ دَاءً.»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 5782English Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“If a fly falls into the drink of one of you, let him dip it completely and then throw it away, for one of its wings carries disease while the other carries its cure.”
❖ Using Medicine for Illness
ḥadīth 26
Arabic Text:
عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«لِكُلِّ دَاءٍ دَوَاءٌ، فَإِذَا أُصِيبَ دَوَاءُ الدَّاءِ بَرَأَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Salām, ḥadīth no. 5741English Translation:
Jābir رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“For every disease there is a remedy, and when the remedy corresponds to the disease, it cures by the permission of Allah.”
❖ Ruqyah for Scorpion Sting
ḥadīth 27
Arabic Text:
عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنِ الرُّقَى، فَجَاءَ آلُ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ، فَقَالُوا:
يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّهُ كَانَتْ عِنْدَنَا رُقْيَةٌ نَرْقِي بِهَا مِنَ الْعَقْرَبِ، وَأَنْتَ نَهَيْتَ عَنِ الرُّقَى.
فَعَرَضُوهَا عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: «مَا أَرَى بِهَا بَأْسًا، مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَنْفَعَ أَخَاهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Salām, ḥadīth no. 5731English Translation:
Jābir رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade ruqyah (incantations). Then the family of ʿAmr ibn Ḥazm came and said:
“O Messenger of Allah! We had a ruqyah that we used for scorpion stings, but you forbade ruqyah.”
They presented it to him, and he said:
“There is nothing wrong with it. Whoever among you can benefit his brother, let him do so.”
❖ Avoiding Shirk in Ruqyah
ḥadīth 28
Arabic Text:
عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ الْأَشْجَعِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
كُنَّا نَرْقِي فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، فَقُلْنَا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، كَيْفَ تَرَى فِي ذَلِكَ؟
فَقَالَ: «اعْرِضُوا عَلَيَّ رُقَاكُمْ، لَا بَأْسَ بِالرُّقَى مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ شِرْكٌ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Salām, ḥadīth no. 5732English Translation:
ʿAwf ibn Mālik al-Ashjaʿī رضي الله عنه said:
“We used to recite ruqyah in pre-Islamic times, so we asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, ‘What is your view on that?’”
He said:
“Present your ruqyah to me; there is nothing wrong with ruqyah as long as it does not involve shirk (polytheism).”
❖ Prohibition of Using Haram Substances for Treatment
ḥadīth 29
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنِ الدَّوَاءِ الْخَبِيثِ.
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3870English Translation:
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the use of impure (ḥarām) substances as medicine.
❖ Healing a Madman with Sūrah al-Fātiḥah
ḥadīth 30
Arabic Text:
عَنْ خَارِجَةَ بْنِ الصَّلْتِ التَّمِيمِيِّ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ قَالَ:
أَقْبَلْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ، فَأَتَيْنَا عَلَى حَيٍّ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ، فَقَالُوا:
إِنَّا أُنْبِئْنَا أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ جِئْتُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ بِخَيْرٍ، فَهَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ مِنْ دَوَاءٍ أَوْ رُقْيَةٍ، فَإِنَّ عِنْدَنَا مَعْتُوهًا فِي الْقُيُودِ؟
قَالَ: فَقُلْنَا: نَعَمْ.
فَجَاءُوا بِمَعْتُوهِهِمْ فِي الْقُيُودِ، قَالَ: فَقَرَأْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ غُدْوَةً وَعَشِيَّةً، كُلَّمَا خَتَمْتُهَا أَجْمَعُ بُزَاقِي، ثُمَّ أَنْفُلُهُ، فَكَأَنَّمَا نُشِطَ مِنْ عِقَالٍ.
قَالَ: فَأَعْطَوْنِي جُعْلًا، فَقُلْتُ: لَا حَتَّى أَسْأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ.
فَسَأَلْتُهُ، فَقَالَ:
«كُلْ، فَلَعَمْرِي، مَنْ أَكَلَ بِرُقْيَةِ بَاطِلٍ، فَقَدْ أَكَلْتَ بِرُقْيَةِ حَقٍّ.»
Musnad Aḥmad, vol. 2, p. 305English Translation:
Khārijah ibn aṣ-Ṣalt at-Tamīmī narrated from his uncle:
We returned from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and came upon an Arab tribe who said:
“We have been informed that you came from this man (the Prophet ﷺ) with goodness. Do you have any medicine or ruqyah? For we have a madman in chains.”
We said, “Yes.” They brought the madman in chains. I recited Sūrah al-Fātiḥah over him for three days, morning and evening. Each time I completed it, I gathered my saliva and blew upon him, and he was freed as though released from bonds.
They offered me a reward, but I said, “I will not take it until I ask the Prophet ﷺ.”
When I asked, he said:
“Take it, for by my life, those who consume reward for false ruqyah are wrong, but you have eaten for a true ruqyah.”
❖ The Treatment Used by Lady Fāṭimah رضي الله عنها
ḥadīth 31
Arabic Text:
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، يُسْأَلُ عَنْ جُرْحِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ، فَقَالَ:
جُرِحَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ، وَكُسِرَتْ رَبَاعِيَّتُهُ، وَهُشِمَتِ الْبَيْضَةُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ، فَكَانَتْ فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ تَغْسِلُ الدَّمَ، وَكَانَ عَلِيٌّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يَصُبُّ عَلَيْهَا بِالْمِجَنِّ، فَلَمَّا رَأَتْ فَاطِمَةُ أَنَّ الْمَاءَ لَا يَزِيدُ الدَّمَ إِلَّا كَثْرَةً، أَخَذَتْ قِطْعَةَ حَصِيرٍ فَأَحْرَقَتْهَا حَتَّى صَارَتْ رَمَادًا، ثُمَّ أَلْصَقَتْهُ بِالْجُرْحِ، فَاسْتَمْسَكَ الدَّمُ.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jihād, ḥadīth no. 5248English Translation:
Sahl ibn Saʿd رضي الله عنه was asked about the injury of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the Day of Uhud. He said:
“The face of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was wounded, one of his front teeth was broken, and the helmet on his head was smashed. Fāṭimah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, was washing the blood while ʿAlī رضي الله عنه poured water using a shield. When Fāṭimah saw that pouring water only increased the bleeding, she took a piece of mat, burnt it to ashes, and applied the ashes to the wound, whereupon the bleeding stopped.”
❖ Dietary Caution in Illness
ḥadīth 32
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أُمِّ الْمُنْذِرِ بِنْتِ قَيْسٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
دَخَلَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَمَعَهُ عَلِيٌّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، وَعَلِيٌّ نَاقِهٌ، وَلَنَا دَوَالٍ مُعَلَّقَةٌ، فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهَا، وَقَامَ عَلِيٌّ لِيَأْكُلَ، فَطَفِقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ لِعَلِيٍّ: «مَهْ، إِنَّكَ نَاقِهٌ»، حَتَّى كَفَّ عَلِيٌّ، قَالَتْ:
وَصَنَعْتُ شَعِيرًا وَسَلْقًا، فَجِئْتُ بِهِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «يَا عَلِيُّ، أَصِبْ مِنْ هَذَا، فَهُوَ أَنْفَعُ لَكَ.»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3856English Translation:
Umm al-Mundhir bint Qays al-Anṣāriyyah رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to my house with ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, who had recently recovered from illness. There were clusters of dates hanging. The Prophet ﷺ began eating, and ʿAlī also started to eat. The Prophet ﷺ said to him repeatedly:
“Stop, O ʿAlī, for you have just recovered.”
So ʿAlī stopped. She said: “I then prepared barley and beet leaves and brought them.” The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Eat from this, O ʿAlī; it is better for your health.”
❖ Old Age — the Only Incurable Condition
ḥadīth 33
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ شَرِيكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، رَفَعَهُ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«تَدَاوَوْا، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَمْ يَضَعْ دَاءً إِلَّا وَضَعَ لَهُ دَوَاءً، غَيْرَ دَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ: الْهَرَمُ.»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3855English Translation:
Usāmah ibn Sharīk رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Seek treatment, for indeed Allah has not made a disease without appointing a cure for it — except one disease: old age.”
❖ Condemnation of Visiting Soothsayers
ḥadīth 34
Arabic Text:
عَنْ حَفْصَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ أَتَى عَرَّافًا فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ، لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Salām, ḥadīth no. 5821English Translation:
Ḥafṣah رضي الله عنها narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever visits a fortune-teller and asks him about anything, his prayers will not be accepted for forty nights.”
❖ Prohibition of Learning Astrology
ḥadīth 35
Arabic Text:
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ اقْتَبَسَ عِلْمًا مِنَ النُّجُومِ، اقْتَبَسَ شُعْبَةً مِنَ السِّحْرِ، زَادَ مَا زَادَ.»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3905English Translation:
Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever acquires knowledge of the stars (astrology) has acquired a branch of sorcery; the more he learns, the deeper he goes into magic.”
❖ Treatment for Head and Leg Pain
ḥadīth 36
Arabic Text:
عَنْ سَلْمَى خَادِمِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَتْ:
مَا كَانَ أَحَدٌ يَشْتَكِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَجَعًا فِي رَأْسِهِ، إِلَّا قَالَ: «احْتَجِمْ.»
وَلَا وَجَعًا فِي رِجْلَيْهِ، إِلَّا قَالَ: «اخْضِبْهُمَا.»
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 3858English Translation:
Salmā, the servant of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, said:
“Whenever anyone complained to the Prophet ﷺ of pain in the head, he would say: ‘Get cupped.’
And whoever complained of pain in the legs, he would say: ‘Dye them with henna.’”
❖ Wine is a Disease, Not a Cure
ḥadīth 37
Arabic Text:
عَنْ طَارِقِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ الْجُعْفِيِّ، أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ، فَنَهَاهُ أَوْ كَرِهَ أَنْ يَصْنَعَهَا، فَقَالَ: إِنَّمَا أَصْنَعُهَا لِلدَّوَاءِ.
فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: «إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ بِدَوَاءٍ، وَلَكِنَّهَا دَاءٌ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ashriba, ḥadīth no. 5141English Translation:
Ṭāriq ibn Suwayd al-Juʿfī narrated:
He asked the Prophet ﷺ about wine, and the Prophet forbade him or disliked its preparation. The man said: “I only make it as medicine.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“It is not a medicine; rather, it is a disease.”
❖ Condemnation of Wearing Amulets
ḥadīth 38
Arabic Text:
عَنْ عِيسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى قَالَ:
دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُكَيْمٍ أَبِي مَعْبَدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ أَعُودُهُ، وَبِهِ حُمَرَةٌ، فَقُلْنَا: أَلَا تَعَلَّقُ شَيْئًا؟
قَالَ: أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ.
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: «مَنْ تَعَلَّقَ شَيْئًا، وُكِلَ إِلَيْهِ.»
Musnad Aḥmad, ḥadīth no. 2707English Translation:
ʿĪsā ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Abū Laylā said:
I visited ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUkaym while he was suffering from redness (inflammation). We said: “Why don’t you hang something (as a charm)?”
He replied: “I seek refuge in Allah from that.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever hangs something (as a charm), will be left to that thing.”
❖ The Healing Ruqyah of Jibrīl عليه السلام
ḥadīth 39
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، أَنَّ جِبْرِيلَ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ:
يَا مُحَمَّدُ، اشْتَكَيْتَ؟
قَالَ: نَعَمْ.
قَالَ: «بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ، مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ يُؤْذِيكَ، مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ نَفْسٍ وَعَيْنٍ حَاسِدَةٍ، اللَّهُ يَشْفِيكَ، بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَرْقِيكَ.»
Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Abwāb al-Ṭibb, ḥadīth no. 2072English Translation:
Abu Saʿīd رضي الله عنه narrated:
Jibrīl (Gabriel) came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:
“O Muḥammad, are you unwell?”
He replied, “Yes.”
Jibrīl said:
“In the Name of Allah I perform ruqyah for you — from everything that harms you, from the evil of every soul and envious eye. May Allah heal you; in the Name of Allah, I perform ruqyah for you.”
❖ Prohibition of Superstitious Omens
ḥadīth 40
Arabic Text:
عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ قَالَ:
قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أُمُورًا كُنَّا نَصْنَعُهَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، كُنَّا نَأْتِي الْكُهَّانَ.
قَالَ: «فَلَا تَأْتُوا الْكُهَّانَ.»
قُلْتُ: كُنَّا نَتَطَيَّرُ.
قَالَ: «ذَاكَ شَيْءٌ يَجِدُهُ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ، فَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكُمْ.»
قُلْتُ: وَمِنَّا رِجَالٌ يَخُطُّونَ.
قَالَ: «كَانَ نَبِيٌّ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ يَخُطُّ، فَمَنْ وَافَقَ خَطَّهُ فَذَاكَ.»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, ḥadīth no. 1199English Translation:
Muʿāwiyah ibn al-Ḥakam narrated:
I said, “O Messenger of Allah! We used to do certain things in the pre-Islamic days — we went to soothsayers.”
He said: “Do not go to soothsayers.”
I said, “We used to take omens from birds.”
He said: “That is something you may feel in your heart, but it should not prevent you (from acting).”
I said, “Some among us draw lines (for divination).”
He said: “A Prophet used to draw lines; whoever’s line coincides with his, that is acceptable.”
✿ Conclusion
وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَيْرِ خَلْقِهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ
May Allah send His blessings upon the best of His creation, Muhammad ﷺ, his family, and all his companions.
