173. The Black Seed

By Asma bint Shameem 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the black seed:

“In it there is healing for every disease, except as-saam (death).” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Alhamdulillaah the black seed is good against many diseases and research  has proven it has many medical benefits. 

*How to take the Black Seed?*

There’s no specific way to take this black seed. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam just told us that it’s beneficial against many diseases. 

But he did not explain exactly “HOW” to use it. 

That’s why the scholars said that whatever is based on experience and research should be taken. 

They also said that in their experience, the amount and way it’s  to be taken varies with the kind of sickness. 

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:

“The way to treat disease using the black seed varies from one disease to another.

What is meant by this seed being a healing for every disease is that it should not be used on its own; 

rather it may be used on its own or with other ingredients. 

It may be used ground up or otherwise, and it may be eaten, drunk, used like snuff, applied as a poultice, and in other ways.”

[al-Fath (10/144)]

Khaalid ibn Sa‘d said: 

“We went out, and Ghaalib ibn Abjar was with us, and he fell sick. 

When we came to Madinah he was still sick. 

Ibn Abi ‘Ateeq visited him and said to us: 

“You should use this little black seed: take five or seven of them and grind them, then mix it with olive oil and put drops in his nose, on this side, and on this side, for ‘Aa’ishah told me that she heard the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say: 

“This black seed is a healing for every disease except as-saam.” 

I said: What is as-saam? 

He said: Death.”

[Al-Bukhaari (5687)]

The scholars also said:

“The ways in which it is used vary according to what people of experience and knowledge suggest, or what modern medical research suggests, based on experience and on the properties of the black seed and its effect on disease.

Based on that, there is nothing wrong with stipulating that the black seed should be taken in a particular manner, according to the type of sickness, on condition that this method is proven to be beneficial, either from experience or on the basis of scientific research.”

(Islamqa Fatwa # 154257)

Does it work against ALL diseases?

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam is *truthful* and we believe *whatever he says*. 

And of course we believe what the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said about the black seed. 

However, the scholars had a difference of opinion among themselves about the *application* of this hadeeth. 

Some said that is to be understood according to the general meaning, so it includes *ALL diseases*.

And some said that it is general in *wording* but *specific in meaning*, so what is meant is “most” diseases.

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said:

“It was said that the words “every disease” refer to every disease that could be treated with it, because it is beneficial in the case of cold diseases; as for hot diseases, it is not.”

 But Al-Khattaabi said:

“The words “From every disease” are *general terms* but what is meant by them is something *specific*, because there is no medicine made from plants that could be used to treat *all diseases*; rather what is meant is that it is healing for every disease that is caused by moisture.”

And there were other scholars with similar opinions. 

Abu Bakr ibn al-‘Arabi said:

“According to physicians, *honey* is more likely to be a remedy for every disease than the black seed. 

Nevertheless, there are some diseases that if a person drinks honey, it will make matters worse. 

If what is meant by the description of honey as something “wherein is healing for men” [an-Nahl 16:69] is that it is healing for *most diseases*, then it is *more appropriate* to say that with regard to the *black seed*.”

And Ibn al-Qayyim said: 

“The words “healing from every disease” are like the verse in which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala says: 
“Destroying *everything* by the Command of its Lord” [al-Ahqaaf 46:25]. 

That is, it (the storm or wind referred to in the previous verse) destroyed everything that *could* be destroyed, and the like.”

[Zaad al-Ma‘aad (4/297)]

Shaikh Ibn Baaz summarizes the meaning of this hadeeth beautifully.

He said:

“Many people do not benefit from the means and measures, or from ruqya done by reciting Qur’an or other words, because the *conditions* are not met and the *impediments are not absent.*

If every sick person could be healed by means of ruqya or medical treatment, *no one would die*. 

But it is *Allaah*, may He be glorified, in Whose hand is control of healing. 

*If He wills that, He makes the means thereof easily available, and if He does not will that, the means will be to no avail.”*

[Majmoo‘ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (8/61)]

So go ahead and use the black seed regularly but KNOW that “Healing” is in the Hands of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

If He wills, the black seed will work. 

And if He does not will that, then the black seed will NOT work, *no matter how much or how often you take it.*

And Allaah knows best.