In the ongoing study of classical Islamic medicine (Tibb-e-Nabawi), translating historical wellness texts reveals a highly sophisticated understanding of the human body, regional climates, and pathology. One of the most remarkable medical cases in the Prophetic era involves the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
This first part of our series explores the specific cardiac prescription given by the Prophet Muhammad (ļ·ŗ), the method of its administration, and the intricate humoral science detailing why Ajwa dates were the ultimate medicine for the people of Hijaz.
The Prophetic Diagnosis and the Physician of Thaqif
The foundational text for this treatment is the narration of Sayyiduna Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (R.A). He narrates a profound personal incident:
“Once I fell ill. The Messenger of Allah (ļ·ŗ) came to visit me. He (ļ·ŗ) placed his blessed hand on my chest, I felt its coolness in my heart. Then He (ļ·ŗ) said: ‘You are suffering from a heart disease. For this, go to Harith bin Kaladah, a person from the tribe of Thaqif. He is a physician (Hakeem).'” (Sunan Abi Dawud)
This incident highlights a crucial aspect of Tibb-e-Nabawi: the integration of divine insight with specialized medical expertise. The Prophet (ļ·ŗ) diagnosed the ailment specifically as a disease of the heart but still directed Sayyiduna Sa’d to consult Harith bin Kaladah, a recognized medical expert of the time, instructing him on the exact prescription to administer.
The Prescription: Ajwa Dates and ‘Laddud’
The exact medical prescription provided by the Prophet (ļ·ŗ) was highly specific in its ingredients and its method of administration:
- The Ingredient: Take seven Ajwa dates of Madinah.
- The Preparation: Crush the dates completely, including their pits (seeds).
- The Administration: Administer this mixture via a method called Laddud.
In classical medicine, Laddud refers to a specific method where liquid or crushed medicine is poured into a patient’s mouth from one side (the corner of the mouth), often used when a patient is severely weak or incapacitated.
The Miraculous Efficacy of Ajwa Dates
The Ajwa dates of Madinah, particularly those from the high lands (Alawali) or the areas between the two black stony tracts of the city, possess extraordinary properties.
Sayyiduna Aamir bin Sa’d (R.A) narrates from his father that the Prophet (ļ·ŗ) stated:
“Whoever eats seven Ajwa dates of the high lands of Madinah (Alawali) in the morning, on that day neither poison nor magic will harm him.” (Sahih Muslim)
The Humoral Science: Why Hot Foods in a Hot Climate?
From a modern perspective, one might wonder why the people of a blistering hot climate like Arabia consumed such heat-inducing foods. Classical humoral science provides a brilliant physiological explanation.
Dry dates are classified as hot and dry in the second degree. For the people of Madinah, dates act as a staple food, much like wheat does in other parts of the world. They strengthen the innate heat (Hararat-e-Gharizi) of the body and prevent the formation of rotting or bad humors (Akhlat).
Classical physicians noted a fascinating biological phenomenon regarding the inhabitants of Hijaz, Yemen, and Taif. These populations frequently consumed highly heating foodsāsuch as dry dates, honey, black pepper, and gingerāchewing on spices as casually as others chew sweets.
Why didn’t this excess heat harm them? The classical texts explain this using the “Well Water Analogy”: Just as the water in a deep well is refreshingly cold in the peak of summer and warm in the winter, the human body adapts to extreme external temperatures. In severely hot regions, the body’s internal environment becomes cold, while the external body shifts toward heat. Therefore, to digest food and maintain balance, the stomach requires heavy, heating foods. (Similarly, in the winter season, a person’s stomach can digest heavier foods much better than in the summer).
Regional Medicine: Soil, Air, and Compatibility
The classical text emphasizes a profound principle of regional medicine: Compatibility.
The efficacy of a natural medicine is deeply tied to the soil and air of its origin. Vegetations that serve as a perfect food or cure in one region might act as a deadly poison in another. For the inhabitants of Madinah, the Ajwa date was perfectly synthesized by the local soil and air to be their ultimate food, medicine, and fruit.
In Part 2 of this series, we will delve into the profound theological and medical significance of the number seven in this prescription, the psychological requirements of healing, and the ultimate cure for all human ailments.
Disclaimer: This article is an adaptation of translated historical wellness texts for educational purposes based on classical Islamic medicine (Tibb-e-Nabawi). It is not intended to replace modern professional cardiological or medical advice.