اللهم بَديعَ السَّمواتِ والأرْضٍ ذَا الجَلالِ والإكْرِامِ والعِزَّةِ التي لا تُرَامُ أسْأَلُكَ يا الله يَا رَحْمنُ بجَلالِكَ ونُورِ وَجْهِكَ أن تُلْزِمَ قَلْبي حِفْظَ كِتَابِكَ كَماَ عَلَّمْتَني، وارْزُقْني أنْ أتْلُوهُ عَلَى النَّحْوِ الذِي يُرْضيكَ عَنِّي. اللَّهُمَّ بَديعَ السَّمواتِ والأرْضٍ ذا الجَلالِ والإكْرامِ والعِزَّة التي لا تُرَامُ أسْألُكَ يا الله يا رَحمـٰـنُ بجَلالِكَ ونُورِ وَجْهِكَ أن تُنَوِّرَ بِكتَابِكَ بَصَري، وأن تُطْلِقَ بهِ لِسانِي، وأن تُفَرِّجَ بهِ عَن قَلْبي، وأن تَشْرَحَ بهِ صَدْرِي، وأن تَسْتَعْمِلَ بِهِ بَدَني، فإنَّهُ لا يُعينُنِي علَى الحَقِّ غَيْرُك ولا يُؤتيهِ إلاَّ أنتَ ولا حَوْلَ ولا قُوَّة إلاَّ بالله العليّ العظيم

Habbah Sawda'a (Black Seed)

ثبت في الصحيحين‏:‏ من حديث أبي سلمة، عن أبي هريرة ـ رضي الله عنه ـ أن رسول الله ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قال‏:‏ ‏(‏عليكم بهذه الحبة السوداء، فإن فيها شفاء من كل داء إلا السام‏)‏‏.‏ والسام‏:‏ الموت‏

Ibn al-Qayyim wrote : It is authentically reported in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from the narration of Abu Salama from Abu Huraira Radi Allaho Anh that the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said: "Hold on to the black seed, for it contains a cure for every disease except death." (As-Saam~السام in Hadith refers to death)

The black seed (Habbah Sawdaa) is called Shuneiz in Persian, also known as black cumin or Indian cumin. Al-Harbi narrated from Al-Hasan that it is mustard seed, and Al-Harawi claimed it to be the green seed of the Terebinth (بطم) tree. Both claims are incorrect; the correct identification is Shuneiz (Kalonji in Urdu).

Black seed is highly beneficial and has numerous uses. The phrase "a cure for every disease" is akin to Allah’s statement in the Quran: ‏تدمر كل شيء بأمر ربها ~ "Destroying everything by the command of its Lord" (Al-Ahqaaf: 25), meaning everything susceptible to destruction. Similarly, the black seed is beneficial for all cold ailments and can also affect dry hot ailments indirectly by enhancing the potency of cold and moist medications when taken in small quantities.

The author of Al-Qanoon (Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine) and others have emphasized the use of saffron in camphor tablets for its rapid action and transmission of potency. There are many similar examples known to skilled practitioners of medicine. The effectiveness of hot substances in treating hot ailments due to their specific properties should not be dismissed. This is evident in many medicines, such as Anzaroot (a plant similar to Frankincense) and other compounds used for eye inflammation, like sugar and other hot substances, even though eye inflammation is unanimously considered a hot swelling by physicians. Similarly, sulfur, which is extremely hot, is effective in treating scabies.

Blackseed is hot and dry in the third degree. It eliminates bloating and expels intestinal worms. It is beneficial for Vitiligo, quartan fever, and phlegmatic conditions. It opens blockages, dissolves gas, and dries excess moisture and bloating in the stomach. When ground and mixed with honey, then consumed with warm water, it dissolves kidney and bladder stones. With regular consumption for a few days, it promotes urination, menstruation, and milk production. When black seed is heated with vinegar and applied to the abdomen, it kills intestinal worms. If kneaded with the juice of fresh or cooked colocynth (Hanzal), its effect in expelling worms becomes even stronger. It clears and cuts through impurities, dissolves obstructions, and treats cold-related nasal congestion when ground, placed in a cloth, and inhaled regularly. Its oil is beneficial for snake bites, warts, and moles. Drinking a small measure of its oil; in a cup of hot water relieves shortness of breath and wheezing. Used as a poultice, it alleviates cold-induced headaches.

When boiled with vinegar and used as a mouth rinse, it relieves toothaches caused by cold. When used as a nasal drop in powdered form, it benefits the early stages of cataracts. If applied as a poultice with vinegar, it removes warts and festering scabies, dissolves chronic phlegmatic tumors, and treats hard swellings. It is also effective against facial palsy when its oil is inhaled. Drinking half to one mithqal of it alleviates spider bites. When finely ground and mixed with green seed oil, and three drops are placed in the ear, it treats cold-induced earaches, wind, and blockages. If roasted, finely ground, and soaked in oil, then dropped into the nose three to four times, it relieves nasal congestion accompanied by excessive sneezing. When burned and mixed with melted wax and oil of Sausan or Henna, then applied to leg ulcers after washing them with vinegar, it heals and removes the ulcers. If ground with vinegar and applied to vitiligo, black spots, and thick scabs, it treats and cures them.

When finely ground and two dirhams (about 6 grams) are taken daily with cold water, it is highly effective for someone bitten by a rabid dog before symptoms manifest, protecting them from death. When its oil is inhaled, it treats paralysis and tetanus, cutting off their effects. When burned, it repels harmful insects. When Anzaroot (a plant similar to Frankincense) is dissolved in water, applied to the rectum, and sprinkled with black seed, it becomes an excellent and remarkably effective remedy for hemorrhoids. Its benefits far exceed what has been mentioned here. The standard dosage is two dirhams (roughly a teaspoon). However, some sources caution that excessive consumption can be fatal.

Ibn al-Baytaar wrote : This plant has warming and drying properties in the third degree. It possesses a subtle strength, making it effective in treating colds. When roasted, placed in a cloth, and inhaled frequently, it provides relief. It also effectively reduces bloating when ingested, showing that it is a refined substance thoroughly tempered by heat, which gives it the bitter taste.
Due to these properties, black seed kills worms when consumed and can even remove skin conditions when applied externally, such as warts and scaly patches. It is beneficial for respiratory ailments like breathlessness and helps women with delayed menstruation caused by thick, viscous fluids. Overall, it is highly effective wherever cutting, clearing, drying, or warming is required.

When applied to the forehead, it alleviates headaches. Used as a nasal drop (mixed with iris oil), it helps with the onset of cataracts. Mixed with vinegar, it heals pustules and chronic ulcers. Boiled with vinegar and pinewood, it relieves toothaches when used as a mouthwash. When applied to the navel with water, it expels intestinal worms. Roasted and inhaled, it relieves colds. Prolonged consumption stimulates urination, menstruation, and lactation. Consumed with Natron, it alleviates breathing difficulties. Taken with water, it treats spider bites. Burned as incense, it repels insects. Some have claimed that excessive consumption of black seed can be fatal.

Ibn Masih: It eliminates fevers caused by phlegm and black bile and kills intestinal worms.

Ibn Sina (Avicenna): When soaked in vinegar overnight, ground, and inhaled, it relieves chronic headaches and facial paralysis. It is highly effective in opening blockages, particularly in the liver and spleen. Applied with vinegar, it treats vitiligo and leprosy. Taken with hot water and honey, it helps dissolve bladder and kidney stones. BUT Black seed can irritate the throat and cause fatal swelling if consumed excessively.

Ahmed ibn Ibrahim: When ground and kneaded with colocynth water, it is highly effective in expelling worms when applied to the navel. When mixed with wormwood water, it removes parasites. Its oil, when dropped into the ears, alleviates cold-related ear pain and blockages. Mixed with rose oil and vinegar, it treats ulcers on the legs. Burned and mixed with wax and lily or henna oil, it prevents hair loss when applied to the scalp.

Maseeh Ibn Al-Hakam: Its oil, when used as a nasal drop, benefits facial paralysis and stroke-related conditions. Drinking powdered black seed with lukewarm water helps with rabid dog bites. Mixed with vinegar and lard, it relieves postpartum pain. Applied with vinegar, it cures scabies and fungal infections. Applied as a poultice, it relieves joint pain and induces menstruation strongly. It can also expel live or dead fetuses and help with placenta retention.

Ibn-e-Sina wrote: Black-seed (Shoneiz) is hot and dry in the third degree. Black-seed is sharp, breaking down phlegm and clearing blockages. It is highly effective in relieving gas and bloating.

Cosmetic Use: Black-seed can be used to treat warts, freckles, vitiligo, and leprosy, particularly those with darker spots.

Tumors and Pimples: When combined with vinegar, Black-seed can be applied to milk-like pimples and is effective in treating phlegmatic and hard tumors. Mixed with vinegar, Black-seed is beneficial for treating phlegmatic sores and scabby eczema.

Head: Black-seed helps with vertigo, especially when roasted and placed in a linen pouch. It can be applied to the forehead to treat cold headaches. When soaked in vinegar overnight and then crushed, it can be sniffed to relieve chronic headaches and facial paralysis. It is a strong remedy for congestion, especially in blocked sinuses. Its decoction with vinegar is useful for toothache, especially when combined with pinewood.

Eyes: Inhaling its powdered form mixed with iris oil helps prevent the onset of eye discharge.

Respiratory System: Black-seed is beneficial for respiratory issues, especially if taken with Natron (sodium bicarbonate).

Digestive System: Black-seed is effective against worms when applied to the navel. It also stimulates menstruation if used for several days and can be consumed with honey and warm water for bladder and kidney stones.

Fever: Black-seed is especially useful in treating phlegmatic and melancholic fevers, helping to reduce them.

Toxins: The smoke of Black-seed repels pests, and some people claim that excessive consumption can be fatal. However, it is beneficial for treating the sting of a tarantula if a small amount is consumed.