Throughout human history, no metal has captivated mankind quite like Gold (Dhahab). Wars have been fought over it, empires built upon it, and poetry written about its mesmerizing glitter.
But in classical Islamic Medicine (Tibb-e-Nabawi), gold is far more than just a currency or a piece of jewelry. It is a highly potent medicine with the power to heal the physical heart, calm the mind, andāif not handled with spiritual cautionācompletely destroy the soul.
Letās explore the fascinating duality of gold in the Prophetic tradition.
The First Gold Prosthetic: A Medical Miracle
Long before modern science discovered that gold is “biocompatible” (meaning it doesnāt rust, corrode, or get rejected by the human body), the Prophet Muhammad (ļ·ŗ) utilized this medical reality.
During the Battle of Kulab, a companion named Sayyiduna Arfaja bin As’ad (R.A) tragically had his nose cut off. Initially, he had a prosthetic nose made of silver. However, silver oxidizes, and the wound soon developed a foul infection and odor. Seeing this, the Prophet (ļ·ŗ) ordered him to remove the silver and have a nose made of pure gold instead. Because gold is entirely pure and anti-corrosive, the infection cleared, and the smell vanished! (Sunan Abi Dawud).
The Medicinal Properties of Gold
Classical Islamic physicians viewed gold as the most superior and balanced of all earthly elements. They noted that even if gold is buried in the soil for centuries, its essence never diminishes.
Because of its balanced, mild heat, gold (often in the form of gold leaf, dust, or dissolved solutions known as Kushta) was a premium ingredient in classical medicine:
- Strengthening the Heart: Gold was famous for treating a weak heart and stopping severe palpitations. Because it strengthens the heart, classical scholars noted this is why the Prophet (ļ·ŗ) permitted gold plating on swords and weapons of warāto physically and psychologically embolden the warriors.
- Mental Clarity & Anxiety: Consuming medicinal gold was prescribed to clear “scattered thoughts,” mental confusion, severe anxiety, and conditions caused by an excess of black bile (Sauda).
- Cooling Obsession: Interestingly, classical physicians prescribed it to cool down the intense, destructive passions of ‘Ishq (obsessive, blinding love).
- Skin & Vision: It was used as a cure for severe skin conditions, including ringworm and Da’ul Hayya (a disease where the skin peels like snake scales). Historically, a probe made of gold was used to apply kohl to strengthen deteriorating eyesight.
The Spiritual Warning: The Disease of Greed
While gold heals the physical heart, Tibb-e-Nabawi provides a massive warning: the love of gold destroys the spiritual heart. Gold is the ultimate axis of human desire. The Quran warns that the love of heaped-up gold is beautified for mankind as a test (Al Imran 3:14). If a person allows the glitter of gold to enter their heart, it becomes an incurable spiritual disease.
The Prophet (ļ·ŗ) perfectly summarized this human tragedy:
“If the son of Adam had a valley full of gold, he would definitely search for a second valley, and if he had a second valley, he would start searching for a third… The belly of the son of Adam can only be filled by the dust (of the grave).” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Classical poet Abu al-Qasim Hariri beautifully captured this deceptive duality. He wrote that gold is “double-faced like a hypocrite.” It looks beautiful, but it is the reason thieves cut hands, tyrants oppress the weak, and misers turn away the hungry. And worst of all, when true difficulty or the reality of death arrives, your hoarded gold abandons you completely.
The Prophetic Balance
The Prophetic approach to gold is a masterclass in balance. Use the resources of the earth to heal, to build, and to strengthen society. Appreciate the physical properties Allah has placed in this “hidden earthly treasure.” But never let it become your master.
Keep gold in your hands to be used, but never let it enter your heart.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for historical and educational purposes based on classical Islamic texts (Tibb-e-Nabawi). It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The ingestion of heavy metals, including gold preparations (like Kushta or Bhasma), should never be done without the strict supervision of a qualified, modern medical professional, as improper preparation can lead to severe heavy metal toxicity.