by Sheikh Hamam Nassereddine 

Apples and onions

Don't worry this is not another message regarding coronavirus! However, seeing that many people are scared and worried about being afflicted with this virus, we would like to present some golden narrations that were uttered by the supreme doctors (peace be upon them), Ahlul Bait...the doctors who present the cures to all sicknesses, whether those sicknesses pertain to our spirits or bodies.

The narrations and advice presented in this post pertain to foods that are good to consume in order to be protected or cured from sickness in general.

We don't mean to say that one should refrain from listening to doctors, medical advice or should refrain from consuming his or her medication provided that a doctor has prescribed that medication for their specific sickness. Rather, we encourage people to listen to doctors and to apply the advice mentioned in these traditions (as long as your doctor allows you to consume these foods), hopefully one will be protected or cured (from sickness).

1- Apples

عن درست بن أبي منصور قال: بعثني المفضل بن عمر إلى أبي عبد الله عليه السلام بلطف
فدخلت عليه في يوم صايف وقدامه طبق فيه تفاح أخضر فوالله إن صبرت أن قلت له: جعلت فداك أتأكل من هذا والناس يكرهونه؟

Durust son of Abi Mansoor says "Mufadal son of Umar sent me to Aba Abdillah (Imam Sadeq- peace be upon him). He sent me with a bunch of gifts so I may give them to the Imam. Thus I went, and I entered upon the Imam during an extremely hot day. I saw him as there were green apples on a tray in front of him.  I swear by Allah I couldn't hold myself for long until I addressed him saying 'may I be sacrificed for you! How come you are eating this food (green apples) when people don't like them' (it seems that the people of that time used to detest eating green apples).

فقال لي كأنه لم يزل يعرفني وعكت في ليلتي هذه فبعثت فأتيت به فأكلته وهو يقلع الحمى ويسكن الحرارة، فقدمت فأصبت أهلي محمومين فأطعمتهم فأقلعت الحمى عنهم.

He responded as if He knew me for a long time (as in the Imam spoke to him in a gentle manner as if they shared friendship for quite a long time) and said 'last night I fell ill. I was afflicted with a fever, thus I sent someone to bring me green apples and they did. Then i ate (green apples). (Certainly) it removes fever and restores one's normal temperature'".

The narrator says "I went back home and i found my wife (or family) afflicted with fever thus I gave her (or them) green apples and the fever was removed".

Note: This tradition informs us that eating green apples is very beneficial for people with fevers, however other traditions mention that apples in general have other benefits.

عن زياد بن مروان انه قال:
أصاب الناس وباء بمكة فكتبت إلى أبي الحسن عليه السلام فكتب إلي كل التفاح

"The people of Mecca were (once) afflicted with a plague so I wrote a letter and sent it to Abil Hassan (peace be upon him- complaining to him about the issue) so he wrote back to me saying 'eat apples'".

Bear in mind that several Imams had the epithet (kunya) Abul Hassan (father of Hassan), such as the Commander of the faithful, Imam alKadhem, Imam Ridha and Imam alHadi (peace be upon them all). However, since they're all one light, knowing which Abil Hassan is mentioned in the tradition will not make a difference.

Source: Alkafi for Sheikh alKulayni (may Allah bless his soul)- V6- chapter regarding apples.

Based on these two traditions it is quite clear that apples are super beneficial and are a great natural remedy for plagues and fever.
The famous statement we all know says "an apple a day keeps the doctor away!".

2-Onions
عن عبد الرحمن بن زيد بن أسلم، عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: إذا دخلتم بلادا فكلوا من بصلها يطرد عنكم وباءها.

Abdur Rahman son of Zaid son of Aslam is narrated to have said that Aba Abdillah peace be upon him said: " the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said 'if you enter a city then eat from its onions (the onions of that city); (if you do so) the plague of that city will be pushed away from you'" (as in if the people of that city are afflicted with a plague you will be protected from it- however remember prevention is better than cure so if you don't have to enter a city in which there is a plague then don't!).

Source: Alkafi for Sheikh alKulayni (may Allah bless his soul)- V6- chapter regarding onions

May Allah protect us from sickness and plagues and may He cure all the sick for the sake of Imam Zainul Abideen, and the sick Fatima daughter Hussain (peace be upon her and upon her father who was slaughtered beside the Euphrates thirsty).

21st Rajab 1441 H/ Mar. 16 2020