The Prophet's remedy fordropsy

It is narrated in the books of Imaams Al-Bukhaari and Muslimthat Anas
Ibn Maaliksaid:
"Some people of )the tribes of( 'Ukl and 'Uraynah came to Al-Madeenah
and its climate did not suit them.So the Prophetordered them to go to
the herd of camels reserved for charity, and to drink their milk and
urine )as a medicine(. So they went as directed. After they became
healthy, they killed the shepherds of the Prophet's camels and drove
away all the camels, thus becoming aggressors against AllaahAll-Mighty
and His Messenger. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallm, sent)men(
in their pursuit and they were captured. The Prophetthen ordered that
their hands and feet to be cut off )and it was done(, and their eyes
were branded with heated pieces of iron. They were then kept in the
sun until they died."
These people were complaining from dropsy, as per the narration from
Imaam Muslimwho narrated the same narration above with the
followingaddition: "…The Bedouins said: We have not found Al-Madeenah
suitable for us and our stomachs swelled, our organs became weak..."
until the end of the narration.
Dropsy is a physical disease that occurs when a harmful cold substance
penetrates the external organs of the body and also the body organs
other than those that are used in digestion, causing them to swell.
There are three types of dropsy: in body tissue)fleshy(, which is the
mostserious of the three, in a body cavity )ascites(, and in an organ
)drum(. The remedy required for this disease includes mild laxatives
and diuretic medicines that help rid the body of fluids. These
diuretic qualities exist in the milk and urine of camels and that is
why the Prophetordered them to drink them. Camel milk is a mild
laxative, diuretic, cleanses and opens that which is closed and
removes the obstructionsand soothes the body. This is especially the
case when the camels graze on beneficial herbs, such as wormwood,
lavender, chamomile, daisy and lemongrass. These herbs help against
dropsy.
Dropsy is usually symptomatic of an ailment in the liver, especially
due to congestion in the liver. The milk of the Arabian camels helps
in this
case, because of its many benefits as mentioned and which help open
the clogged passages and theobstructions. Ar-Raazisaid: "The
she-camel's milk soothes the liver andthe effects of a spoiled
constitution." Al-Israaeelialso said: "The she-camel's milk is the
softest, least concentrated and lightestmilk. It is the best choice
for moving the bowels, as a laxative and for opening the clogged
passages and obstructions. What makesthis evident is the fact that
this type of milk is mildly salty, as a result of the animal's
instinctively hot nature. Therefore, the she-camel's milk is the best
remedy for the liver as it soothes it, opens its pores and veins and
softens the hardness of fresh food. Fresh, warm camel's milk is
beneficial against dropsy,especially when taken with fresh, warm camel
urine, thus making the combination more salty and adding strength to
its effectiveness in dissolving harmful fluids and as a laxative. If
the]combination of milk and urine[ did not purge the stomach, then one
shouldtake a stronger laxative." The author ofAl-Qanoonalso commented:
"Do not listen to those who claim that milk does not provide cure from
dropsy. Rather, know that camel's milk is an effective cure, because
it cleanses gently and easily, due to its other qualities. This type
of milk is so beneficial that if a person substituted water and food
with camel's milk, he would becured ]from dropsy and other ailments[.
Some people tried this remedy and were soon cured. Weshould state that
the bestcamel urine is that of the camels of Bedouin people."
The story that was mentioned in the narration above has several areas
of interest:
It encourages the use of medicines and cures.
It indicates the purity of the milk of the animals that Muslims are
allowed to eat.
Using what Allaah has prohibited in medicine is disallowed.
The people mentioned in the narrationwere not commanded to rinse their
mouths or their clothes for the prayer, although they were new
Muslims.
The Prophetcannot delay the necessary details of a religious command
when such elaboration is necessary.
It emphasizes the fact that the aggressor is punished by the same
method he transgressed. The people mentioned in the narration killed
the shepherd and branded his eyes, as in another report of this
narration by Imaam Muslim.
It mentioned that the entire group was killed for killing one person.
It indicates that whereas the aggressor deserves tobe punished for
multiple crimes, one punishable according to the law of equality and
the other for an act of aggression, then both laws are applied. The
Prophetordered that the hands and feet of the aggressors be cut off,
as a punishment from Allaahfor their audacious raid and aggression.
They were also killed because they had killed the shepherd.
It indicates that when armed aggressors steal money and also commit
murder, their hands and feet are cut off, and they are then executed.
It indicates that the punishment for multiple crimes is multiplied,
because the people who were mentioned in the story reverted from
Islam,killed a human being, disfigured the dead shepherd, stole other
people's property and announced their armed aggression. Also, the
entire armed band mentioned in the story were executed, not only those
who actually committed the murder, as the Prophetdid not consider this
fact, nor didhe ask about who actually committed the murder.
Assassination warrants capital punishment and cannot be pardoned ]by
the relatives of the deceased[ or compensated, according to the
scholars of Al-Madeenah, Imaam Ahmad and Ibn Taymiyyah.