The Prophet states in a hadith that cauterization can be used as a way of treatment. It is also narrated that he prohibited cauterization. Will you explain the issue in terms of using it today?

The Prophet (pbuh) states in a hadith about healing that healing is in three things and mentions cauterization among them. There is no treatment method like cauterization today and it seems that cauterization cannot be used as a treatment method as far as we know. It is stated in another hadith that he prohibited cauterization later: - Will you give information about the use of cauterization as a treatment method? - How should we interpret the Prophet's first saying that cauterization was a method of treatment definitely and then changing it?

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is not possible to see modern surgical operations in the era when the Prophet (pbuh) lived. The methods of treatment that were in the foreground then were cupping, honey sherbet and branding with fire (cauterization).

There are sound narrations showing that the Prophet (pbuh) used cauterization but there are also narrations showing that he did not like it and that he even prohibited it. (see Majmauz-Zawaid, 5/91, 97) As a matter of fact, the following hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) exists in Sahih Bukhari:

“Healing is in three things: A honey sherbet, cupping and branding with fire (cauterizing). However: "However, I forbid my ummah to use cauterization unless it is necessary.” (Bukhari, Tibb, 3-4)

In another riwayah, it is stated that; “However I do not like cauterization.” (Bukhari, Tibb, 4)

Cauterization is a method of treatment used among Arabs for a long time but it gives a lot of pain to the patient. Therefore, the following statement is famous among Arabs: “Cauterization is the last method of treatment.” (see Ibn Hajar, the explanation of the hadith in question)

Treatment with cauterization is advised in some hadiths and its practice is seen in some hadiths but it is forbidden in some hadiths. Scholars interpret it as follows: "Since it is a method of treatment that causes suffering, that is dangerous and that necessitates skill, one should not resort to it unless he has to and unless he finds a qualified person to do it."

When the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was wounded in the Battle of Uhud, they first washed the wound with water; when Hz. Fatima saw that bleeding did not stop, she burned a piece of mat and placed it on the wound; then, bleeding stopped. (Bukhari, Tibb, 27)

Treatment methods may change continuously depending on time and conditions. Today, medical science has advanced a lot and new methods are applied. It should not be forgotten that laser treatment is a kind of cauterization.

American chemists Thomas E. Brown and Bruce Henderson started to use laser to remove a cancer tumor in February 1966. The laser beam, which acted as a scalpel, cut and removed the tumor by burning the wound. Two years later, another American team introduced a special laser for eye surgery, called the "ophthalmoscope" laser eye mirror. This device can be used for burning the detached retina of the eye, for various wounds of the eye and for the treatment of tumors. The main benefit of the scalpel-laser or burning device is that it does not give any pain to the patient since it acts quickly.

The laser, which is the symbol device of today’s science, has a wide range of use in medicine. Even the most delicate operations can be done easily thanks to laser. The laser beam also began to replace the small and straight knives that scare people. In other words, the laser beam acts as a knife.

The laser is also needed for the biological research that studies cells. It is possible to remove small tumors on the blood cells with extremely fine laser beams; in addition, it is possible to observe how the cell reacts when a piece is cut off from the cell thanks to the laser. "Laser beams" can be used to cauterize the detached retina of the eye and in the treatment of various tumors of the eye without giving any pain to the patient.

It becomes possible to convey the large-energy light beam onto various tissues that cannot be reached by the straight line beam by combining the laser and the eye fibers.

The laser also helps in acupuncture treatment. The patient who undergoes acupuncture treatment does not feel the unbearable pain thanks to the laser. (Translated from Lucien Barnier.)

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