وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

Prophet's guidance on curing Diarrhea

فصل في هديه في علاج استطلاق البطن

A section on guidance of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم in treating Diarrhea:

فى "الصحيحين": من حديث أبى المتوكِّل، عن أبى سعيد الخُدْرِىِّ، "أنَّ رجلاً أتى النبىَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال: إنَّ أخى يشتكى بطنَه وفى رواية: استطلقَ بطنُهُ فقال: "اسْقِهِ عسلاً"، فذهب ثم رجع، فقال: قد سقيتُه، فلم يُغنِ عنه شيئاً وفى لفْظ: فلَم يزِدْه إلا اسْتِطْلاقاً، مرتين أو ثلاثاً كل ذلك يقولُ له: "اسْقِه عَسَلاً". فقال لهُ فى الثالثةِ أو الرابعةِ: "صَدَقَ اللهُ، وكَذَبَ بَطْنُ أَخِيكَ

Ibn al-Qayyam wrote : In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it is narrated from Abu al-Mutawakkil from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri that a man came to Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, “My brother has a stomach ailment.” In one narration, he said, “His stomach is loose (i.e., he has diarrhea).” Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم replied, “Give him honey to drink.” The man returned and said, “I gave him honey, but it did not help.” In another wording, he said, “It only increased his diarrhea.” This happened two or three times, and each time Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم responded, “Give him honey.” On the third or fourth occasion, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Allah has spoken the truth, and your brother’s stomach has lied.”

In Sahih Muslim, there is a version where the man says, “My brother’s stomach is in distress,” meaning his digestion was poor and his stomach was upset. This condition is called “ar-rab,” which refers to an upset stomach, also known as “ath-tharb.”

Honey has many great benefits. It cleanses impurities from the veins and intestines, helps dissolve moisture, both when ingested and when applied externally. It benefits the elderly and those with phlegmatic constitutions, especially those with a cold and moist temperament. Honey is nourishing, naturally laxative, preserves the potency of medicinal mixtures, and masks the unpleasant taste of bitter medicines. It purifies the liver and chest, promotes urination, and is beneficial for phlegm-induced cough.

When consumed warm with rose oil, honey can neutralize venom from snake bites and relieve opium poisoning. Mixed with water, it is beneficial for rabid dog bites and poisonous mushrooms. Fresh meat preserved in honey remains fresh for three months. Likewise, cucumbers, squash, and eggplant can be preserved in honey, as can various fruits for up to six months. Honey can even preserve corpses and is thus called “the faithful preserver.”

The words of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم,

صَدَقَ اللهُ، وكَذَبَ بَطْنُ أَخِيكَ

“Allah has spoken the truth,” refer to the verse in Surah An-Nahl (The Bee):

‏يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ‏‏

“From their bellies comes a drink of varying colors, in which there is healing for people” (Quran 16:69).

When honey is applied to a body or hair infested with lice, it kills the lice and their eggs, strengthens and beautifies the hair, and makes it softer. If used as kohl (applied to the eyes), it clears blurred vision. If used as a mouth rinse, it whitens and polishes the teeth, preserves their health and the health of the gums, opens blocked blood vessels, and increases menstrual flow. Taking a spoonful on an empty stomach helps eliminate phlegm, cleanses the stomach lining, removes waste, moderately warms it, and opens blockages in the stomach, liver, kidneys, and bladder. It is less harmful to blockages in the liver and spleen than any other sweet substance.

With all these benefits, honey is safe, has few side effects, and only slightly aggravates bile for those with bilious temperaments. This can be countered by adding vinegar, which then makes honey highly beneficial for them.

Honey is nourishing as food, healing as medicine, refreshing as a drink, sweet as a treat, suitable as a topical application, and uplifting in combination with other revitalizers. There is nothing created for us that surpasses, matches, or even comes close to it in all these qualities. In ancient times, people primarily relied on honey, as sugar was unknown and only became available in more recent times.

Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم would drink honey mixed with water on an empty stomach. This has a remarkable secret for preserving health, understood only by the perceptive.

وَفِي سُنَنِ ابْنِ مَاجَهْ مَرْفُوعًا مِنْ حَدِيثِ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ:  مَنْ لَعِقَ الْعَسَلَ ثَلَاثَ غَدَوَاتٍ كُلَّ شَهْرٍ، لَمْ يُصِبْهُ عَظِيمٌ مِنَ الْبَلَاءِ

In Sunan Ibn Majah, it is narrated that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever takes (a spoonful of honey) on three consecutive mornings each month will not be afflicted by major ailments.”

In another narration (by Ibn Majah), it is mentioned:

علَيْكُم بالشِّفَاءَيْنِ‏:‏ العَسَلِ والقُرآنِ (أخرجه ابن ماجه وَالْبَيْهَقِيُّ فِي شُعَبِ الْإِيمَانِ)

"Hold on to the two cures: honey and the Qur'an." This statement combines both human and divine medicine, treatment for the body and the soul, and earthly and heavenly remedies.

With this understanding, the man whom Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم prescribed honey for was suffering from diarrhea due to indigestion caused by overeating, resulting in a full stomach. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم instructed him to drink honey to remove the excess substances accumulating in his stomach and intestines, as honey cleanses and eliminates waste. His stomach contained sticky substances that prevented food from settling due to its viscosity, which disrupts the stomach’s ability to process food. The stomach’s lining resembles the fibers of a towel, and when sticky substances cling to it, they interfere with its function and spoil the food. The best remedy is something that can cleanse it of these sticky substances.

Honey is excellent for this condition, especially when mixed with warm water. The repeated instruction to give him honey demonstrates an important medical principle: the amount and dosage of a remedy must correspond to the nature of the ailment. If the dose is insufficient, it will not eliminate the illness entirely, and if it exceeds the required amount, it can weaken the body and cause additional harm. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم told him to give his brother honey, but the amount initially given was not enough to counter the illness. When the man returned to report, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم realized that the dose was inadequate, so he advised him to continue. The repetition allowed the dosage to match the severity of the illness, eventually resulting in healing by Allah’s permission. Correctly determining the dosage, quality, and strength of a medicine in relation to the ailment is one of the essential principles of medicine.

The words of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, “Allah has spoken the truth, and your brother’s stomach has lied,” indicate the proven benefit of this remedy. The persistence of the ailment was not due to any flaw in the honey itself but to the condition of the stomach and the excess harmful matter within it. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم instructed the man to continue using the honey because of the excess material in his stomach.

The Prophetic medicine is distinct from that of ordinary physicians, as it is based on certain and infallible knowledge.

It is rooted in divine revelation, the light of prophethood, and the utmost wisdom. While the medicine of others is largely based on conjecture, speculation, and trial-and-error, it is not surprising that many people do not benefit from prophetic medicine. This is because one must approach it with acceptance, belief in its healing powers, and complete faith. Similarly, the Qur'an, which is a cure for what is in the hearts, only provides healing to those who receive it with belief and submission. For those with doubts or hypocrisy, it only increases them in confusion and illness.

How, then, can the healing of physical bodies compare to this? Prophetic medicine suits only pure bodies, just as the Qur'an’s healing is suited only to pure souls and living hearts. People’s avoidance of prophetic medicine is akin to their avoidance of seeking healing through the Qur'an, which is an effective cure. This avoidance is not due to any flaw in the remedy itself, but rather due to the corrupt nature of the one who rejects it, a tainted disposition, or a lack of receptivity. Allah is the One who grants success.

A related topic is the differing interpretations regarding Allah’s words: “From within them (the bees) comes a drink of varying colors, in which there is healing for people” (Qur'an 16:69). Some scholars differ on whether “healing” refers to the drink itself or the Qur'an. The correct view is that it refers to the drink, as stated by Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn Abbas, al-Hasan, Qatadah Radi Allaho Anhuma and the majority. The verse specifically mentions the drink, and the context is focused on it, without any mention of the Qur'an. This authentic Hadith, in which Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Allah has spoken the truth,” is almost explicit in affirming this. And Allah knows best.