The Roles of the Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH), in the Sphere of Civilization (Part 15)
10. The Function of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and Medicine
Medicine is an urgent need of mankind at any time and in any place, and it is a key factor in the development of societies. During the time of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, there were advanced methods of medicine that addressed both physical and mental illnesses. Generally, the remedies used were either in specialized forms or in the form of azkar and aurad, which also treated these ailments. Unlike magic, these methods were grounded in practical knowledge. The Prophet, peace be upon him, provided two types of medical advice for the protection and preservation of a healthy body:
First: Prohibitions: Everything that harms the human body and soul is forbidden, such as wine, drugs, and other intoxicants.
Second: Body Cleansing: Practices such as removing hair and nails, performing ablution on Fridays and following janabah (major impurity), performing ablution before each prayer, and keeping clothes clean from dirt are emphasized. Public hygiene practices, such as refraining from urinating in streams, using proper toilets on public roads, and avoiding soiling trees, are also important. Indeed, cleanliness is considered one of the branches of faith.
Health Care Facilities in the Era of Prophethood
After the Battle of Khandaq, the Prophet of Islam established a tent near the Prophet’s Mosque for the treatment of the wounded, similar to how Saad bin Mu’adh was treated.
Physicians of the Era of the Prophet
Notable female physicians included Rafidah Ansari and Kaiba bint Saad Ansari. Among the men were Harith bin Kalda Thaghafi and Nazr bin Harith, as well as Ibn Abi Ramtha Tamimi, who treated the sick and wounded on battlefields and in normal conditions.
An Example of the Medicines of the Prophet
Despite the progress made in the field of medicine over the centuries, the prescriptions attributed to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, remain highly regarded. A few examples include:
A. Honey: According to interpretations of the Holy Quran, honey is considered miraculous and is regarded as the best medicine for many ailments.
B. Habat al-Sudah (black seed): It is said to be a cure for everything except death and old age.
C. Ajwa Dates: These dates from Medina are believed to have therapeutic benefits, with seven of them serving as a remedy against magic.
D. Reciting Mu’awathat and other supplications: These prayers are specifically recommended against witchcraft and negative thoughts.
E. Heating and cupping: Traditional practices that were commonly used for various ailments.
11. The Functions of the Messenger of Allah in the Military Field
A. In the view of non-Muslim historians, the battles of the Prophet, peace be upon him, were among the least costly in terms of loss of life while achieving significant success. The total casualties were reportedly 259 Muslims and 759 non-Muslims.
B. Approximately 27 battles and 38 skirmishes occurred during this time. According to many biographers, most of these were offensive rather than defensive, which contributed to the spread of Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
C. Before sending the Islamic army to engage in battles, the Prophet advised them: if you hear the call to prayer (Azan), do not attack; avoid harming the elderly, children, and widows of non-Muslims; do not destroy gardens, livestock, or places of worship; treat prisoners humanely; and respect human dignity by refraining from insults or mutilation of non-Muslim bodies.
D. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) employed modern tactics of that time, often incorporating the advice of his companions. For example, during the Battle of Badr, Hubab bin Manzar suggested they secure the area of the water spring. In the Battle of the Ahzab (the Confederates), the strategy of Salman al-Farsi was utilized to dig a trench. As a result of such wise tactics, the system of Islamic civilization spread across the world efficiently and at minimal cost.
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