Senna

Senna is regarded as one of the most beneficial laxative medicines narrated from the Prophet . If the substance used for witchcraft is still inside the body, attempts must be made to get rid of it, either by vomiting, if possible, or if the patient cannot do that, he should be given a drink of senna. Many of those who were afflicted with witchcraft have tried it and it has been of great benefit by Allaah's Leave.

The virtue of senna is narrated in the Sunnah It was narrated from Asma' bint 'Umays that the Messenger of Allaah asked her: "What do you use as a laxative?" She said: "Spurge." He said: "Hot, hot." She said: Then I used senna as a laxative and the Prophet said: "If there were anything in which there is a cure for death, it would be senna."

Al-Tirmidhi, 6/254, 256. Al-Albaani said: it is Da'eef. See Hadith no. 4807 in Da'eef Al- Jaami'

It was narrated that ibn 'Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah said: "The best medicines which you use are those which are administered through the side of the mouth, nose drops, cupping and laxatives."

Narrated and classed as Hasan by Al-Tirmidhi; narrated and classed as Saheeh by Al-Haakim and by Abu Na'eem in Tibb Al-Nabawi.

Administering medicine through the side of the mouth (Ladood): this means inserting the medicine with finger. The Arabic word Ladood comes from the phrase Ladeed Al-Waadi (theside of the valley). Nose drops refers to the medicine that is placed through the nose or is given by means of inhaling through the mouth. Laxatives are medicines given to make one defecate. It was narrated from Asma' bint 'Umays that the Messenger of Allaah entered upon her one day and she had some spurge which she was grinding. He said: "What are you going to make with that?" She said: "We drink it." He said: "If anything were to ward off death or be of benefit against death, it would be senna."

Al-Haakim said: This Hadeeth has a Saheeh Isnaad, and Al-Dhahabi agreed with him. Mustadrak Al-Haakim, from the Hadeeth of 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab.

Ibn Maajah narrated in his Sunan, in Kitaab Al-Tibb (the Book of Medicine) that Ibraaheem ibn Abi 'Ablah said: I heard Abu Ubayy ibn Umm Haraam, who had prayed with the Messenger of Allah facing both Qiblahs, say: I heard the Messenger of Allah say: "You should use senna and sanoot, for in them there is healing for every disease, except Al-saam." It was said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is Al-saam?" He said: "Death."Sanoot may refer to dill or honey. Ibn Maajah, Kitaab Al-Tibb, Hadeeth no. 3457. (Translator)