أَعُوذُ بِاللّهِ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ

Prophet's Guidance on treating conjunctivitis with rest and observing a special diet

فَصْلٌ فِي هَدْيِهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي عِلَاجِ الرَّمَدِ بِالسُّكُونِ، وَالدَّعَةِ، وَتَرْكِ الْحَرَكَةِ، وَالْحِمْيَةِ مِمَّا يَهِيجُ الرَّمَدَ

Guidance of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم on treating eye inflammation (Ramad~Conjunctivitis) which includes rest, minimal movement, and avoiding any actions or foods that could aggravate the condition.

Ibn al-Qayyam wrote : It is mentioned in Hadith that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم advised Suhaib Radi Allaho Anh to avoid dates when he had an eye infection and discouraged him from consuming them in that condition. Similarly, he advised Ali Radi Allaho Anh to refrain from eating fresh dates when he had eye inflammation.

ذكر أبو نعيم في كتاب «الطب النبوي» : أَنَّهُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا رَمِدَتْ عَيْنُ امْرَأَةٍ مِنْ نِسَائِهِ لَمْ يَأْتِهَا حَتَّى تَبْرَأَ عَيْنُهَا.

In Kitab al-Tibb al-Nabawi by Abu Nu’aim, it is noted that if one of the wives of صلى الله عليه وسلم had eye inflammation, he would not approach her until her eye recovered.

Ramad~Conjunctivitis is a hot swelling that occurs in the white part of the eye, typically caused by an accumulation of one of the four humors or by hot air accumulating in the head and body, which then spreads to the eye. It can also be caused by an injury to the eye, prompting the body to send blood and spirit to the affected area in an attempt to heal it. This reaction results in swelling of the injured area, though logically, the opposite would seem to be needed.

We should know that there are two types of vapors that rise from the earth to the atmosphere—one hot and dry, the other hot and moist; which form dense clouds that obscure our vision of the sky. Similarly, from the depths of the stomach, gaseous substances (vapors) and moistures rise up, obstructing sight. These vapors lead to various ailments. If the natural disposition is strong and expels them through the nostrils, it causes a cold (Rhinitis); if expelled to the throat, it causes Quinsy (a throat inflammation); if it moves to the side (pleura), it causes Pleurisy; if it moves to the chest, it leads to Catarrh (mucus discharge); if it moves to the heart, it causes fainting; and if it affects the eye, it leads to conjunctivitis."

And if the gaseous vapors descend to the intestines, they cause Diarrhea. If they reach the regions of the brain, they cause forgetfulness. When the vessels of the brain become moist and its veins are filled with these vapors, it results in heavy sleep; hence, sleep is associated with moisture, and wakefulness with dryness. If the vapor tries to escape from the head but cannot, it results in headaches and insomnia. If the vapor leans toward one side of the head, it causes migraine. If it dominates the crown and the center of the head, it causes Daa' al-Baydah ~ دَاءُ الْبَيْضَةِ (manifesting as severe headaches or migraines concentrated at the crown). If the membranes of the brain become cold, hot, or excessively moist, causing the air to stir, it results in sneezing. If it excites the phlegmatic moisture in the brain and overcomes the natural warmth, it causes fainting and silence. If it disturbs the melancholic humor so that the atmosphere in the brain darkens, it causes obsession (whispering doubts). If it spreads through the nerve pathways, it causes natural epilepsy. When the collection of nerves in the head becomes moist, causing overflow in its channels, it results in Paralysis. If the vapor originates from hot, inflamed yellow bile affecting the brain, will cause cerebral tumors; and when the chest receives a path of these gases, they will cause pleurisy.

The point here is that during eye inflammation, the bodily and head humors are in an active and stirred-up state, and sexual intercourse can intensify this movement and agitation. Intercourse involves a total movement of the body, spirit, and natural disposition. As for the body, it inevitably heats up through movement. The soul intensifies its movement in pursuit of pleasure and its fulfillment, and the spirit moves accordingly, following the motion of both soul and body, since the spirit’s primary connection to the body is through the heart, from which it originates and spreads throughout the organs.

Regarding the movement of natural disposition, it’s to release the semen in the necessary quantity. In summary, intercourse is a total and encompassing movement, involving the body, its faculties, humors, spirit, and soul. Every movement stirs and thins the humors, causing them to flow and be directed toward weak organs. The eye, in its inflamed state, is at its weakest, so intercourse has a particularly harmful effect on it."

Eye inflammation (Ramad~Conjunctivitis) has many benefits, as it often necessitates dietary moderation, purging, and the cleansing of both the head and body from impurities and toxins. It also encourages restraint from things that harm the soul and body, such as anger, anxiety, sorrow, intense movements, and strenuous activities.

 وَفِي أَثَرٍ سَلَفِيٍّ: لَا تَكْرَهُوا الرَّمَدَ، فَإِنَّهُ يَقْطَعُ عروق العمى

A saying from the Salaf states: “Do not hate eye inflammation, for it severs the roots of blindness.”

One of the key treatments for eye inflammation (Ramad~Conjunctivitis) is to maintain stillness and rest, avoiding any touching or agitation of the eye. Engaging with or touching the eye can worsen the condition, as it encourages the buildup of fluids in the area.

It is also narrated in a report (though Allah knows best its authenticity) that the treatment for Ramad~Conjunctivitis includes applying cold water drops to the eye. Cold water is one of the most effective remedies for hot inflammation of the eye, as its cooling property helps alleviate the heat of Ramad~Conjunctivitis.

قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ لِامْرَأَتِهِ زينب وَقَدِ اشْتَكَتْ عَيْنُهَا: لَوْ فَعَلْتِ كَمَا فَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ خَيْرًا لَكِ وَأَجْدَرَ أَنْ تُشْفِي، تَنْضَحِينَ فِي عَيْنِكِ الْمَاءَ، ثُمَّ تَقُولِينَ: «أَذْهِبِ الْبَأْسَ رَبَّ النَّاسِ، وَاشْفِ أَنْتَ الشَّافِي، لَا شِفَاءَ إِلَّا شِفَاؤُكَ، شِفَاءً لَا يُغَادِرُ سَقَمًا (صحيح البخاري)

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) advised his wife Zaynab, who was suffering from eye pain, “If you did as the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم did, it would be better for you and more likely to bring relief. Sprinkle water in your eye, then say, ‘Remove the harm, Lord of the people, and heal, for You are the Healer; there is no healing but Your healing, a healing that leaves no trace of illness.’”

It is important to remember that this advice may be specific to certain regions or particular types of eye conditions. The prophetic guidance should not be generalized or applied universally, nor should general advice be limited only to specific cases, as this can lead to misunderstandings or errors. Allah knows best.

back to page top