Medicine and Spells

Jabir told that when the Prophet was asked about a charm for one who is possessed (nushra)* he replied, “It pertains to the work of the devil.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.* Nushra comes from a root meaning to disperse and is said to be used meaning a charm for one who is possessed because it disperses the trouble.

“If I drink an antidote, or tie on an amulet, or compose poetry, I am the type who does not care what he does.”*Abu Dawud transmitted it.* Meaning that one who does any such thing is an abandoned character.

“He who has himself cauterized or uses a spell has exempted himself from trust in God.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Jabir told that at the battle of the Confederates* Ubayy was struck by an arrow in the median vein of the arm and God’s messenger cauterized it. Muslim transmitted it.* i.e. the battle of the Trench, 5 A. H.

He told that God’s messenger sent to Ubayy b. Ka'b a physician who cut a vein of his and cauterized it.Muslim transmitted it.

“Nigella seed is a remedy for every disease but sam.” Ibn Shihab said sant is death and the nigella seed is shuniz.* (Bukhari and Muslim.)* Taj al-’arus says this is a Persian word which came to be used by Arabs. It indicates a seed of a species of nigella.

“Why do you compress the uvula in this way? Use this Indian aloes wood, for it contains seven types of remedy, among them being a remedy for pleurisy. It is applied through the nose for a swelling of the uvula and poured into the side of the mouth for pleurisy.” (Bukhari and Muslim )

The Prophet gave command that we should use a spell against the evil eye. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

“The evil eye is genuine If anything could get ahead of the decree the evil eye would do so. And when you are asked to bathe do so.”*Muslim transmitted it.* An indication of the practice here intended will be found in the tradition of Abu Umama near the end of Section II of this chapter.

Abud Darda’ reported God's messenger as saying, “God has sent down both the disease and the cure, and He has appointed a cure for every disease, so treat yourselves medically, but use nothing unlawful.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

“If anyone pours out any of this blood he will not suffer if he applies no medical treatment for anything.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Anas said that God's messenger used to have himself cupped in the two veins at the sides of the neck and on the shoulder. Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah added that he used to have himself cupped on the 17th, 19th, and 21st.

He told that when Sa'id b. Mu'adh was shot in the median vein of his arm the Prophet with his own hand cauterized it with a broad arrow head. Afterwards it swelled up and he cauterized it a second time. Muslim transmitted it.

“Do not afflict your children by squeezing for a swelling in the uvula, but apply costus.” (Bukhari and Muslim .)

In the pre-Islamic period we used to apply spells, and we asked God’s messenger how he looked upon that. He replied, “Submit your spells to me. There is no harm in spells so long as they involve no polytheism.” Muslim transmitted it.

“Do not force your invalids to eat, for God most high gives them food and drink.”Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a gharib tradition.

He told that the Prophet used to recommend olive oil and wars for pleurisy. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Salma, the Prophet’s woman-servant, told that no one complained to God’s messenger of a headache without his telling him to get cupped, or of a pain in his legs without his telling him to dye them with henna. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jabir told that the Prophet had himself cupped above the thigh for a contusion from which he suffered. Abu Dawud transmitted it.