Imaam
Ibn al-Qayyim said in his excellent work, Zaad al-Ma'aad (3/97-98), after discussing the benefits of honey
in relation to the man who was advised by the Messenger (alayhis salaam) to
treat the ailment of his stomach with honey:
“His medicine (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) is NOT like the medicine
of the physicians, for the medicine of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi
wasallam) is certain, definitive, emanating from (divine) revelation, the
lantern of prophethood, and perfection of reason. As for the medicine of
others, most of it is conjecture, presumptions and experimentation.
As for the absence of
benefit to many of the ill from the Prophetic medicine,
that is not to be shown rejection because only those benefit with it who
wholeheartedly accept it, believe firmly in its ability to cure, and perfectly
accept it through faith and submission. This Qur'an which is the cure for what
is in the hearts, if it is not accepted with such acceptance, the healing of
the hearts will not be attained by its treatments. Rather, it only increases
the hypocrites in evil on top of their evil, and disease on top of their disease.
And so where does the bodily medicine stand with respect to it. The Prophetic medicine
is not suited except for wholesome bodies, just as the cure of the Qur'an is
not suited except for good souls and lively hearts. The people turning away
from the Prophetic medicine
[in bodily matters] therefore is like them turning away from seeking cure from
the Qur'an which is indeed the beneficial cure. And this is not because of any
deficiency in the treatment, but due to the vileness of the bodily disposition
and corruption of the diseased location and non-acceptance of (the healing
capacity)... and Allaah is the one who grants success."
There are some great
points to be extracted from this statement of Ibn al-Qayyim which relate to the
nature of disease and cure, and the role of faith and anticipation in cure and healing
and the speculative nature of other types of medicine and conditions required
for cure and healing to be attained.
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