أخَذَتْ قِطْعَةً مِن حَصِيرٍ، فأحْرَقَتْها وأَلْصَقَتْها، فاسْتَمْسَكَ الدَّمُ

“She took a piece of a straw mat, burnt it, and pasted it, so the blood stopped”.This is what Sayyidatuna Faatimah RA did for Rasoolullaah sallallaahu’alayhiwasallam at the time of the battle of Uhud when Rasoolullaah sallallaahu’alayhiwasallam was injured, and the blood would not stop flowing.This Hadeeth has been narrated with slight variations in the wording, by a number of muhadditheen including Imaams Bukhari and Muslim RA. The wording of the narration of Imaam Bukhari RA is as follows: Sayyiduna Sahl Ibn Sa’d RA was asked about the injury of Rasoolullaah sallallaahu’alayhiwasallam (during the battle of Uhud). He said: Behold, by Allah, certainly I know who was washing (the wound) of Rasoolullaah sallallaahu’alayhiwasallam, who was placing water (over it), and with what it was treated. Faatimah RA, the daughter of Rasoolullaah sallallaahu’alayhiwasallam was washing it. Ali RA was scooping water over it with a shield. When Faatimah RA saw that the water was only increasing the flow of blood, she took a piece of reed mat, and burnt it, and stuck (the ashes of) it so the blood stopped. His lateral incisor was broken on that day, his (blessed) face was injured, and the helmet on his (blessed) head was broken. (Sallallaahu’alayhiwasallam).What kind of a mat it was has been under some discussion in the books of commentary of the Ahaadeeth. Some have expressed not being able to use this remedy due to not knowing the type of mat it was. However, Ibn Bakkal has mentioned that physicians say that the ashes of all reed mats are a remedy for bleeding. Others like Ibn Qayyim, etc say that papyrus mats are meant, because papyrus has a drying effect. In fact, they even mention its benefits against nose bleeding. Ibn Sina said that all types of ashes have a drying and clearing effect, including ashes of oak woods, etc. Yusuf Al Hajj states in Islamic Medicine: Stopping bleeding with recently acquired ashes is regarded as one of the well known ancient remedies in Arabic folk medicine.When modern practitioners discuss the benefits, mention is made of the fact that ashes absorb a large amount of plasma, which help the initial clotting of the blood. Others mention that it serves as an astringent, thus allowing the surface proteins to settle, forming a layer that protects the wound against invasion of germs.Finally, Ibn Qayyim mentions the following: When the ashes of palm leaves are applied alone, or mixed with vinegar, in a bleeding nose, it will stop the bleeding.Glory belongs to Allah alone

إن لك عذرا

 “Certainly you have an excuse”.This was said by Rasoolullaah sallallaahu’alayhiwasallam to Sayyiduna Al Mugheerah Ibn Shu’bah RA. The reason was, as he says: “I once ate garlic, so Rasoolullaah sallallaahu’alayhiwasallam got its smell from me. He said: ‘Whosoever eats of this tree should not come near to us until its smell goes away’. I said: O Rasoolullaah! Please give me your hand. So I placed his hand through my kurta sleeve on to my chest. He found me bandaged on my chest (out of chest pain). He said to me: “Certainly you have an excuse (to eat garlic)”. ”  (Abu Dawood 3826).This Hadeeth clearly shows that garlic has healing properties for those who suffer from chest pains. It also proves that the prohibition of eating garlic is only in respect of going to the Masjid with the garlic smell eminating from one’s mouth. IImaam Tirmidhi narrates from a Taabi’ee by the name of Abul Aaliyah that he said: “Garlic is among the wholesome provisions”.Imaam Tabaraani RA narrates from Ibn Seereen RA that garlic would be specially imported for Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Umar RA. He would tie the garlic cloves in a string. The string of garlic cloves would be dropped into the gravy to cook. Once cooked, he would remove the string of garlic cloves and discard it, and the gravy would be eaten. (Imaam Haithami RA has stated that the narrators of the chain of narration are authentic).It is said that garlic is a cure for sixty ailments, including those related to the digestive system, the respiratory system, asthma, rheumatism, piles, swelling, scorpion, snake and dog bites, etc. It is also useful in improving the urine flow and treating constipation. It treats high blood pressure and is an effective antibiotic. It is excellent in treating wounds as well. Garlic also prevents heart attacks and haemorrhage, as it prevents blood clotting by moderating the thickness of the blood. It also saves against cancer, and particularly cancer of the colon and bladder. It also increases the count of lymphoid T cells which means that it strengthens immunity.For more details, refer to the chapter on garlic by Dr Hassaan Shams Baasha in his book: Excerpts from Tibb Nabawi in the light of modern findings.