Honey, olive oil and black-seed

The Hadith states, “Whoever licks honey for three mornings in the beginning of every month, then no serious disease will afflict him.”[Re:- Mishkaat]

Mulla Ali Qari Rahimahullah mentions in Mirqaat (the commentary of Mishkaat) that the word لَعِقَ means لَحَسَ, which means licking from the container with the finger, or licking from the actual container itself. This meaning is recorded in ‘Qaamoos-ul-Waheed’ on page 1457. Hence, it is best that one removes the honey from the container using the finger and thereafter licks it. However, there is no prohibition from placing the honey in the palms and licking it, but the first explanation is mentioned in Mirqaat.

Furthermore, Kulunji seeds, olives and olive oil have been mentioned in the Mubarak Ahadith. These are means of attaining Shifa from illnesses. We haven’t found any specific direction as to how they should be used in the Hadith Sharif. The method prescribed by the Hakim could be based on the Hakeem’s experience.

Khalid bin Sa’d Radiallahu Anhu mentions that we went out and Ghalib bin Abjar Rahimahullah was with us. He fell ill on the way. We reached Madinah Munawwarah whilst he was still sick. Ibn Abi Atiq Rahimahullah came to visit him and said to us, “Treat him with black seeds. Take five or seven seeds, crush them, then after mixing it with olive oil pour it into both his nostrils. Aishah Radiallahu Anha narrated to me that she heard Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam saying, ‘This black seed is a cure for all diseases except As-saam.’ Aisha Radhiallahu Anha asked, ‘What is As-Saam?’ He replied, ‘Death.

Umar Radiallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: ‘Enrich your bread with olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for verily it is from a blessed tree.’