Fever in the Perspective of Hadith and Malay Medical Manuscript: an Analysis on Kitab Bermacam-Macam Khasiat

Abstract

Fever is one of the body’s natural responses to any virus or bacterial infection. In the hadith, fever is described as being a compassionate spark made from fire, proof of which is that fever is caused by body heat. Using both inductive and deductive methodologies, this article seeks to provide a comparative examination of fever from the perspective both of hadith and of the discussions contained within a Malay medical text. This study, on the sources of al-Kutub al-sitta, has found that there are nine hadiths that expound on fever and its treatment, and that these can be divided into two main types: [1] those that view fever as a disease and then show the most suitable methods for treatment, including treatment techniques, the reading of appropriate ruqya, and the most suitable materials for so doing; and [2] those that present fever as being the eternal removal of sin by Allah. On the other hand, the Malay medical manuscript Kitab Bermacam-Macam Khasiat explains fever and its various types, how to treat fever using herbs, and its use as a means for healing. From the similarities between the hadith that are discussed here and the Malay medical text, it can be seen that the primary means for treating fever is through the use of water. In terms of medical philosophy, the Prophet SAW gave and emphasised a single-compound treatment method, whereas Malay medical manuscripts place more emphasis on mixed-compound treatments. In order to explain the hadith, our analysis has found that it is suggested that prayers or specific ruqya in which our submission of hope to Allah are employed, while Malay medical manuscripts help highlight the experience and knowledge of herbal remedies within the community and how such treatments have been passed from one generation to the next.