- Organization of the Section on Medicine
The author, may Allah have mercy on him, began with an introduction in which he first explained that illness is of two kinds: illness of the heart and illness of the body, both of which are mentioned in the Quran. Allah, glorified be He, has provided guidance concerning the foundations of medicine and its overarching principles, and the Messenger’s guidance (peace and blessings be upon him) in this regard is the most perfect guidance.
He then explained that the Prophet’s guidance (peace and blessings be upon him) included seeking treatment himself and instructing members of his family and his Companions to seek treatment when they fell ill. He discussed the Prophet’s statement, “Allah has not sent down any disease without sending down a cure for it,” explaining how this hadith and others establish the connection between effects and causes, enjoin seeking treatment, and show that doing so does not contradict reliance upon Allah. He then mentioned that the Prophet’s treatment of illness (peace and blessings be upon him) was of three kinds: first, natural remedies; second, divine remedies; and third, a combination of the two.
Accordingly, the chapters following the introduction fall into three sections:
1 - Treatment with natural remedies.
2 - Treatment with spiritual, divine remedies, whether used alone or combined with natural remedies.
3 - Individual remedies and foods mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), arranged alphabetically.
He concluded this section with chapters on precautions and beneficial general recommendations drawn from physicians’ advice.
- Organization of the Section on Judicial Decisions and Rulings
He began the fifth volume with chapters on the Prophet’s guidance (peace and blessings be upon him) concerning judicial decisions and rulings. At the outset (5/ 5), he explained that the purpose was not to discuss general legislation, but rather to describe the Prophet’s guidance in the particular cases in which he adjudicated disputes, and the guidance he followed in