The Prophet (S.A.W)’s Expertise (Part 2)

Once we accept that the Messenger (S.A.W) was taught directly by Allah (S.W.T), then we are assured that he possessed the best and most comprehensive knowledge of all creation. The Qur’an states:

And, (O Beloved) had not Allah’s bounty and mercy been upon you, a party of these (treacherous) people would have resolved to lead you astray, whereas
they are only leading themselves astray and can no way do any harm to you.
And Allah has revealed to you the book and wisdom and has bestowed upon you all that knowledge which you did not possess. Mighty indeed is Allah’s bounty on you. (Irfan-ul-Quran; Surah 4 Al-Nisa; verse 113)

In the field of worship, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) gave us advice and
guidance that lead to the doors of Paradise. Even in the field of medicine and
science, He (S.A.W) displayed unbelievable expertise. There are many examples which could be found in various AHadith that highlight this fact, one of which is given below.

It is reported by Imam Muslim (R.A), the Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) instructed us that when a domestic animal drinks or licks a bowl, then it should be washed three times with water. However, he made an exception with a dog. If a dog licks from
a bowl, then it should be washed seven times and it must also be rubbed with earth/ soil. (Sahih Muslim. Vol. III, p. 186. Chapter of Cleanliness, (27))

Recently, a group of Muslim scientists in the Middle East conducted experiments to explore this instruction from the Final Messenger (S.A.W). Their extensive tests showed that with animals like cats, the bowl became free from germs and
bacteria when it washed thrice with water. However, they established that with a dog, cleaning the bowl with water alone did not rid it of germs. Rather they found that the germs and bacteria multiplied. It was only by rubbing it with earth that the bowl was totally free from impurities.

The scientific explanation was that the virus from the saliva of a dog is very small and soft. The smaller the size of microbes, the more effective it will be in sticking to the side of a container. Dog saliva contains viruses that are shaped like a
ribbon. In this case, soil plays an important role as an absorber of the microbes and viruses that are contained in the vessel.

Soil is an effective element that can kill harmful germs. When left outside, a corpse spread disease quickly. When buried, the effects are neutralised. This is because the soil fights and controls the germs.