Sultan recommends black seed, honey for COVID-19 treatment

In the current global fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on the World Health Organisation (WHO), medical researchers and all those who are struggling to find a cure for the virulent virus to consider the Prophet’s statements on the black seed and honey for research purposes because they both have a lot of potential for the cure of COVID-19.

Sultan, in a statement signed by Alhaji Yusuf Nwoha, said one of the outstanding medicines used by the Prophet (SAW) is the black seed as well as honey.

On the efficacy of the black seed, the Prophet (SAW) said, as reported by Abu Hurayrah: “Utilise the black seed for without doubt, it is a cure for all sicknesses except death.” He was also reported to have said in Sahih Bukhari, “Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur’an is a remedy for all illnesses of the mind. Therefore, I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur’an and honey.”

The Sultan’s call is hinged on the testimony of the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who just survived COVID-19 infection. In giving his testimony on how he was healed, he is reported to have said: “My very good friend and brother, Dr Muyideen Olatunji, is the one in charge of the primary health care for Oyo State. He came to me and said, look, I am going to send you this black seed oil, it boosts immunity. So I mixed it with honey and took one tea spoon in the morning and in the evening. So, there are local solutions to boost immunity. Our people should not fret. Just as I have been able to get the virus out of my system, so will it be for majority of our people,”

Sultan said: “So, we urge Muslims and Nigerians at large to take note of this and do the needful when the need arises.”

Relying on the pronouncements of the Prophet (SAW), he said generations of Muslims after the prophet have continued to use the black seed for the treatment of respiratory conditions and digestive disorders, including gas, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation and haemorrhoid. Other health conditions which the black seed can be used to treat include asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, the swine flu and congestive heart disease.

“Honey, on its part, offers remarkable antiseptic, antioxidant and immune boosting properties for the human body. Apart from fighting infection and helping in tissue healing, honey also reduces inflammation and it is useful for digestive problems also such as indigestion, stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis,” he stated.

Sultan, however, “called on Muslims to continue to abide by the directives of government and health authorities: wash your hands regularly, keep social distance and avoid crowded places. This period calls for a sober reflection: what is our relationship with Allah?”

“We should always remember that Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in their hearts (Qur’an 13:11).”