CHAPTER 44: A Chapter of Treatment, a mention of incantation, the evil eye, astrology, castration, tattoo, mention of dogs and leniency to slaves

44.01 CHARMS AND MEDICAL TREATMENT

There is no harm in seeking a spell to cure the evil eye and similar things. Also, there is nothing wrong in the use of charms, or the use of medicine in the treatment of diseases, or the taking of drugs; blood- letting, cauterizing and cupping are all good treatments. The application of antimony to the eye for men is permissible when done for medical purposes. For women, however, it is part of make-up. Nothing alcoholic, or ritually impure, or a dead body or something God Most High has prohibited can be used for medicinal purposes. There is no harm in cauterization or using the verses of the Qur'an or decent speech for cure of disease. There is no harm in wearing a charm which contains verses of the Holy Qur'an.

If a plague should occur in a land, nobody should come to it, nor should the inhabitants flee from it.

44.02 PORTENTS

The Prophet - peace be upon him - said, on account of evil omens, "If they exist at all, then it must be in the persons of woman, a horse and a house". The Prophet - peace be upon him - detested unpleasant names and used to encourage optimism.

44.03 CURING EFFECT OF EVIL EYE

The cure for a person upon whom a spell has been cast is an follows: the man who cast the spell shall wash his face, his hands, his elbows, his knees, the side of his feet and the inside of his wrapper in a bowl and this is then poured upon the person upon whom the spell has been cast.

44.04 STARS

Nobody should look at the stars except for seeking guidance to the `Qiblah' and the hour of the night. Any other purpose than this should be avoided.

44.05 DOGS

Dogs are not to be kept in houses, whether in sedentary or in nomadic life, except dogs that can guard a farm or accompany flocks of sheep and goats in the desert and then bring them home in the evening. A man is also permitted to keep a dog to hunt for him if he lives by hunting. He can not keep a dog for mere sport.

44.06 CASTRATION

There is no harm in castrating he-goats and rams, for this has the advantage of producing better mutton. Castration in respect of horses is prohibited.

44.07 TATTOOING ANIMALS

It is reprehensible to make tattoos on the face, but there is no harm in making them on any other part of the body.

44.08 KINDNESS TO SLAVES

A slave is to be treated leniently, and no work shall be imposed upon him which he cannot cope with.