Question
I would like to learn if there is any reliable narration that talks about how many grains of black seed Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to take or the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) would suggest consuming?
Is there any guideline in Islam on how a person should take black seed for health concerns?
Answer
The Hadith regarding the black seed is general.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that he heard Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say: “The black seed is a means of cure for every ailment except death”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5688 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2215)
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded a narration which states that Sayyiduna Galib ibn Abjar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) had become ill while travelling. Upon entering Madinah, Ibn Abi ‘Atiq (radiyallahu ‘anhu) visited him and advised saying: “[Treat him] with the black seed. Take five or seven seeds and crush them. Then put it into his nose from either side with a few droplets of oil for ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) informed me that she heard Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say, ‘This black seed is a cure from all illnesses except from As sam’. ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) says, ‘I asked Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) what is as sam?’ He replied, ‘Death.’”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5687)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has cited a narration wherein Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) advised someone to take twenty one black seeds, place it into a cloth and soak it overnight in water. The next day, he should put one seed into right nostril and two seeds into the left nostril. The following day, he should put two seeds into the right nostril and one seed into the left nostril and on the third day, one seed in the right nostril and two in the left.
After citing this Hadith, Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) states, “We understand from that, that the meaning of this seed being a healing for every disease is that it should not be used on its own to cure every disease. Rather, sometimes it could be used on its own, sometimes mixed with other ingredients. It may be used ground up or otherwise. Sometimes it could be eaten, drunk, used like snuff, applied as a balm/bandage as well as used in other ways.”
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5688, vol 10 pg. 144)
Imam Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullah) has also suggested various different usages of black seed for different ailments, like mixing it with honey and water, boiling it with vinegar and applying it as a paste.
(Zadul Ma’ad, vol. 4 pgs. 273-275)
From the above, it is evident that treatment using the black seed will vary from illness to illness and could also differ from person to person. A person should therefore consult a medical professional/herbalist and they would prescribe accordingly.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar