Am I Sinful for Not Using Black Seed After Finding No Benefit?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
Am I sinful for not using black seed (al-habba al-sawda’) when others recommend it for illness, after I tried it for my own chronic condition and did not find benefit?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
There is no sin upon you. May Allah grant you healing, ease, and well-being.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Upon you is this black seed, for in it is a cure for every disease except death” [Bukhari; Muslim, from Abu Hurayra]. The hadith is true, and its standing is established.
Allah Most High says of His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), “Nor does he speak from mere impulse:/Naught is it but a divine inspiration being inspired.” [Quran 53:3–4; Keller, The Quran Beheld]
The medical guidance of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is part of his noble teachings. It needs to be received with reverence and gratitude.
How Do The Scholars Understand “Cure For Every Disease”?
The classical commentators—Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari, Nawawi in Sharh Sahih Muslim, Ibn al-Qayyim in al-Tibb al-Nabawi — explained the hadith’s universal phrasing as a general statement that is conditioned (‘umum makhsus).
The benefit of black seed is real and wide, but it depends on the nature of the illness, the constitution of the person, the dose, the preparation, and what it is combined with. It is not a guaranteed cure for every person in every situation.
A Prophetic recommendation is not a legal obligation. If you have tried a recommended remedy sincerely and did not find benefit for your condition, it is permitted to seek another lawful and effective treatment.
The wider Prophetic guidance directs you toward what heals: “Allah did not send down a disease without sending down its cure.” [Bukhari]
Receive the Sunna with Reverence; Choose What Heals
Honor the hadith, for the benefit of black seed is real and well-attested.
Choose the treatment that is suitable for your case, with the advice of qualified physicians and, where needed, scholars.
If others criticize you for declining a remedy that did not benefit you, respond with patience and gentleness.
May Allah Most High grant you complete healing, restful nights, and the sweetness of trust in Him through your trial. May He make this a means of drawing closer to Him.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Related Answers
Does the Prophetic Command Indicate Obligation?
Explores whether medical practices mentioned in hadith are religious obligations or context-specific recommendations.
What is the Sunna Method of Seeking a Cure to an Illness?
Examines prophetic teachings encouraging Muslims to pursue treatment while trusting in Allah.
Prophetic Supplications to Cure Illnesses
Shows how Muslims can respect prophetic health advice and supplications to treat illnesses
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
