# The Prophetic Medicine > A source-faithful reading edition of The Prophetic Medicine by Ibn Qay’em El-Jozeyah, translated by ABD EL-QADER the son of ABD EL-AZEEZ (2003 source edition). This is an unproofread OCR transcription, not a verified edition. Arabic quotations, diacritics, religious symbols, numbers, and some English words may contain recognition errors. Verify exact quotations against the original PDF. Do not silently correct, paraphrase, or present uncertain text as verified. This is historical source material, not medical advice or an endorsement of its remedies. Cite the book and printed page number when referencing a passage. PDF page numbers are printed page numbers + 1. Section headings and page labels below are navigation metadata; the passages retain the reader’s transcription and original order. All paths are relative to this site’s origin. [Section index](/llms.txt) ## The Prophet's guidance on treating and removing lice from the head Reader: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html ### Printed page 192 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-192 The Prophet's guidance on treating and removing lice from the head In the Sahihain it is narrated that Ka'b bin 'Ujrah said, "I was suffering from lice and I was carried to the Messenger of Allah b while lice were falling off on my tace, the Prophet b, said: "1 did not realize that your trouble had reached the condition that I see (you in). The Prophet b then ordered him to have his head shaved and either fast three days or feed six poor persons or slaughter one sheep as a sacrifice." [In addition, narrated by Ahmad] Lice appear on the head and body for two reasons, external and internal. The external cause occurs due to uncleanness and impure substances that the skin might carry. The internal reason is caused by rotted substances that the body expels through the skin and then rots due to the wetness in the skin's pores. The lice appear then (and feed on these rotted substances). Many times, lice appear after one suffers from various illnesses and diseases, because in this case cleanliness is ignored. In addition, children are the typical victims of lice because they usually play in and deal with wet things and because of their careless nature. This is why the Prophet " ordered that the heads of the sons of Ja'far be shaved, as shaving is one the best cures for lice because it exposes the skin to ### Printed page 193 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-193 the sun and allows the harmful moistures under the skin to evaporate. Then, the head should be anointed with the cures that prevent lice from reproducing and kill them. Shaving occurs for three reasons, as a legal ritual, as an act of innovation and polytheism, and as a cure. The first type is performed during Hajj and Umrah. The second type occurs for other than Allah, Shaving the head is an act of humility and worship, and this is why it is a ritual that completes the Hajj acts. Imam Shafi'e even considers shaving the head a cornerstone of Hajj since it entails lowering the sides of the head in humility before the Lord and since it is In addition an honored act of worship. Furthermore, when the Arabs wanted to humiliate a captured warrior and then set him free, they would first shave his head. Later on, the teachers of false guidance and evil who seek to acquire the rights of lordship for themselves and whose ministry concentrates on polytheism and innovations came along. Such evil teachers wanted their students to perform the acts of worship for their sake. Consequently, they encouraged their students to shave their heads for their sake, just as they lured them to prostrate before them, calling this act by other than its true name and claiming that it is not prostrating, but merely lowering the head before the teacher. By Allah! What is prostrating for the sake of Allah, if it is not lowering the head before Him? ### Printed page 194 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-194 The evil teachers In addition lured their students to vow to them, repent to them and swear by their names! This is taking such teachers as gods beside Allah. Allah said: "It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given the Book and Al-Hukm (the knowledge and understanding of the laws of religion) and Prophet hood to say to the people: "Be my worshippers rather than Allah's." On the contrary (he would say): "Be you Rabbaniyyin (learned men of religion who practise what they know and In addition preach others), because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it. "Nor would he order you to take angels and Prophets for lords (gods) Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allah's Will?" (3:79,80) The prayer is the highest act of worship. Yet the teachers of false guidance, the so-called scholars and tyrants have divided the acts of prayer between themselves. For instance, the teachers of false guidance chose the highest act in the prayer, prostrating, for themselves. Some so-called scholars have In addition acquired bowing down for themselves. When they meet each other, some of them bow down before the others just ### Printed page 195 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-195 as one does while praying to Allah! As for the tyrants, they acquired standing up for themselves! Free and slave men stand up before the tyrants while the tyrants are sitting down. The Messenger of Allah b has prohibited these three acts for other than Allah. Therefore, committing these prohibited acts is a clear violation of the Prophet's commands. The Prophet b prohibited prostrating to other than Allah. He said: "No one should prostrate to any other person." He In addition criticized Mu'ath when he prostrated before him. Since prohibiting prostrating before the creation is clearly indicated in the Prophet's Sunnah, then those who allow such acts seek to dispute the rights of Allah and His Messenger b. Prostrating is ~ one of the essential acts of worship. When the polytheist allows it to the creation, he will be allowing worshipping other than Allah. The Prophetb was once asked, "When one sees his brother, should he bow down for him?" He said, No." He was asked, 'Should he hug and kiss him?" He said, 'No.' He was asked, 'Should he shake his hand? He said, 'Yes.' In addition, bowing down while greeting someone ### Printed page 196 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-196 is a type of worship, just as Allah said: البقرة‎ (CA) 4 سُّجَدًا‎ uri lb sts « "And enter the gate in prostration." (or bowing with humility) (2:58) Besides, prostrating and entering through the door is not possible at the same time [the prostration mentioned in the Verse is bowing down]! The Prophet b In addition prohibited standing up for someone just as the non-Muslims used to do. He even disallowed this act during the prayer and commanded the Muslim to imitate the leader in the prayer, that if he sits down while praying due to an illness, they all sit behind him although they are healthy. Otherwise, they will be standing while the Imam is sitting down, although their standing is for Allah. How about if standing was for other than Allah? The ignorant misguided people have associated others with Allah in the worship, thus prostrating before other than Allah and bowing down for other than Allah. They In addition stand up before the creation just as they do when they are praying. They In addition swear, vow, shave their heads, sacrifice, perform Tawaf (circumambulation of an object or person), love, fear, and ### Printed page 197 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-197 obey other than Allah, just as they do for Allah and even more. They equate Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, Whom they worship, with the creation. These are the enemies of the Messages of the Messengers of Allah ste, who equate Allah with the creation. They are the ones who will say in the Fire, while arguing with the false deities they were worshipping. "By Allah, we were truly, in a manifest error, When We hold you (false gods) as equals (in worship) with the Lord of the Al-'Alamin (mankind, jimm and all that exists); (26:97,98) They are In addition the people, whom Allah described, when He said: "And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe, Iove Allah more (then anything else)." (2:165) All these are among the acts of Shirk (polytheism, associating others with Allah in worship) that Allah never forgives. The Prophet's guidance on treating those touched by the evil eye Imam Muslim [and Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, Al- ### Printed page 198 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-198 Hakim and At-Tabarani] narrated that Ibn Ab'ass said, The Messenger of Allah b said: "The evil eye is true, and (f there is anything that would precede Predestination, it would be the evil eye." In addition, Muslim narrated that Anas "The Prophet b has allowed using Islamic prayer formulas *(Rugyah, divine remedy) against fever, the evil eye and sores.” In addition, in the two sound books narrated that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah b said, "The evil eye is true." [Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Ahmad]. Abu Dawood reported that A'esha said: "The person who touched others with the evil eye was commanded to perform ablution and the person whom he touched by the evil eye would wash with that water." [I\\-Bokhary, Muslim, An-Nasa'y, Ibn Majah, Abu Na'im . Further, A'esha narrated, as the Sahihain reported: "The Prophet b commanded me, or commanded, that we should use Islamic prayer formulas from the evil eye." In addition, At-Termezey narrated that Asma' Bint ### Printed page 199 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-199 Umaya said, "I said, O Messenger of Allah b The children of Ja'far are usually touched by the evil eye. Should I perform an Islamic prayer formula for them?' He said: "yes. If there is anything that precedes Predestination, it would be the evil eye." [An-Nasa'y and Ahmad]. In addition, Imam Malik narrated that Amir bin Rabi'ah once saw Sahl bin Hunaif take a bath and said, "By Allah! I have never seen the skin of a virgin that is softer than what I have just seen.” Sahl fell to the ground. The Prophet b then came to Amir while angry and said to him: "Why would one of you kill his own brother? Why have you not said Tabrik [Karaka Allah, (may Allah bless it)]? Take a bath for it." Amir then washed his face, hands, elbows, knees, feet and a part of his garment in a pot for what he had done and then poured the used water on Sahl. Soon after, Sahl started moving about with the people. [An-Nasa'y, Ibn Majah, Ahmad]. Malik In addition narrated: "The evil eye is true, so perform ablution for it." Another Hadith narrated by Abdul Razzaq reads: ### Printed page 200 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-200 "The evil eye is true. and if there is anything that precedes Predestination, it would be the evil eye. When one is touched by the evil eye, he should take a bath for it." At-Termezey said: "The person who touched others with the evil eye should be commanded to submerge his hand in a pot of water and then wash his mouth, then spit the water back into the pot. He should then wash his face in the pot, then submerges his left hand it and pour some water on the right knee above the pot, and then submerges his right hand and pour water on his left knee. He should then wash his garment inside the pot and the water should not be spilled on the ground. Rather, it should be poured on top of the person whom he touched by the evil eye from behind all at once.” There are two types of the evil eye, human and Jinn related. Umm Salamah said that the Prophet once saw a young gir, who had a certain expression on her face and said: "Seek an Islamic prayer formula for her because she is touched by the evil eye." [Al-Bokhary, Muslim, Al- '"Hakim, Abu Na'im. Al-Isma'ili and At-Tabarani] Abu Sa'id In addition narrated that: ### Printed page 201 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-201 The Prophet b used to seek refuge from the jinn and the evil eye of mankind." [At-Termezey and An- Nasa'y] Some people who do not have sound comprehension or correct sight and hearing have rejected the fact that the evil eye causes harm, claiming that this is a superstitious, untrue belief. These people are indeed among the most ignorant people who have the least sound comprehension and the thickest minds. They are the farthest from acquiring knowledge of the soul and the heart and the effect of each on the natural world. The best minds in every nation do not dispute the fact that the evil eye is true, although they differ on its causes and true effects. Some people say that when people who touch others by the evil eye feel evilness in their hearts, then their eyes transform the evil thoughts into harmful rays just like the type of snake that looks at its prey and causes it to perish. Another group says that it is possible that invisible powers emit from the person who touches others with the evil eye and then enters the body of the person whom they touched and harms them. However, other people say that Allah creates the harm on the person touched by the evil eye without any rays that emit from the eye of the person who touched ### Printed page 202 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-202 him, Yet, this is the method of those who deny the existence of the various spiritual powers that exist in this world. Allah has created special powers in some of the creation that have profound effects on other creations. For instance, the soul has such a profound effect on the body that no one can deny. In addition, have you not noticed how the face of a shy person turns red if his sight falls on what is not suitable for him, and turns yellow when he looks at someone he fears? You can In addition witness the effect of the evil eye has on people and the weakness it causes in their bodies. The evil eye is actually the effect exerted by the soul on the victim. Souls vary in their essence, powers, characteristics and qualities. Therefore, the soul of an envious person can harm a victim profoundly, and this is why Allah has commanded His Messenger to seek refuge with Him from the evil eye. The harmful effect of an envious person on the envied person cannot be denied, except by those who are far away from reality. It is a fact that an evil envious soul touches the envied person in such an evil manner that it causes them harm. Similarly, the poisonous viper gets so enraged and evil when it meets the enemy that it has a special effect on the victim, sometimes leading to aborting the fetus or causing blindness. The Prophet gg described the short tailed viper and the striped viper as ### Printed page 203 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-203 having the ability that they can affect sight and abort pregnancy. Some types of snakes have a negative effect on people by their mere sight, because of the viciousness of such creatures and the effect of this viciousness on people. These effects that we mentioned are not restricted to physical contact, as some of those who have little knowledge in the natural world and the religion think. Rather, these effects could be caused by physical contact, sight, the soul directing its power to the victim, through imagination and evil omens, and so forth. The envious person might be blind, yet when something is described to him or her, his envious soul affects the described object and harms it even though the blind person cannot see it. Allah said to His Prophet b : "And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes (through hatred) when they bear the Reminder (the Qura'an) ..."(69:51) رمو 4 رقب وين كتوق dep all‏ 08 0 Say: "I seek refuge with (Allah), the Lord of the daybreak, From the evil of what He has created. And from ### Printed page 204 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-204 the evil of the darkening (night) as it comes with its darkness; (or the moon as ft sets or goes away), And from the evil of those who practise witchcraft when they blow in the knots. And from the evil of the envier when he envies." Every person who touches others by the evil eye is an envious person, but not vise versa. Since envy includes the evil eye in its general meaning, seeking refuge from it includes seeking refuge from the evil eye In addition, The evil eye includes throwing arrows of envy that depart the envious heart and soul in the direction of the envied person, sometimes falling on its target. If the envied person is unarmed and unprepared, the evil eye will cause him harm. If the envied person is prepared and armed, the arrows might turn back on the one who threw them. This is similar to what actually occurs when one shoots real arrows. The resemblance is that this occurs through the soul while the arrows are shot in the material world, The evil eye starts when the envious person likes something then follows it with his evil thoughts and desires and then the evil eye touches the envied object. Sometimes a person might even touch his own self with the evil eye, which is one of the worst types of envy. Sometimes one might touch others with the evil eye just by his envious nature. Some of our scholars say that such envious people should be imprisoned and should be given ### Printed page 205 Reference: /read/042-the-prophet-s-guidance-on-treating-and-removing-lice-from-the-head.html#page-205 what they need of sustenance until they die.