Medicine and Spells - Mishkat al-Masabih 4579

"There is no infection, no hama, no star promising rain, and no serpent in a hungry belly." Muslim transmitted it.

Commentary on the Prohibition of Pre-Islamic Superstitions

This hadith from Sahih Muslim addresses four specific pre-Islamic Arabian superstitions that Islam came to abolish. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) categorically denied these false beliefs to establish pure tawhid (monotheism) and remove traces of jahiliyyah (ignorance) from Muslim consciousness.

"No infection" refutes the pagan belief that diseases spread automatically without Allah's decree. "No hama" refers to the false notion that the dead person's soul becomes an owl that cries for vengeance. "No star promising rain" denies astrological beliefs that celestial bodies control rainfall. "No serpent in a hungry belly" counters the superstition that hunger pains are caused by snakes in the stomach.

Scholarly Interpretation and Qualifications

Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi explained that "no infection" doesn't deny contagious diseases empirically, but rather negates the pre-Islamic belief that diseases spread independently of Allah's will. The correct Islamic position acknowledges contagion as part of divine decree (qadar) while taking necessary precautions.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani harmonized this with other hadiths about quarantine by explaining that prevention measures are taken while fully believing that everything occurs by Allah's permission. This hadith thus establishes the principle of taking means (asbab) while relying ultimately on Allah alone.

Practical Implications for Muslim Practice

This teaching liberates Muslims from superstitions and fatalistic thinking, encouraging both trust in Allah and responsible action. Muslims should seek medical treatment for illnesses while believing healing comes from Allah, take precautions against contagion without attributing independent power to diseases, and rely on Allah rather than omens or astrology for their provisions.

The comprehensive nature of this hadith demonstrates Islam's complete transformation of human consciousness from pre-Islamic ignorance to enlightened monotheism, affecting all aspects of life from healthcare to meteorology to spiritual beliefs.