يا وليَّ الإسْلامِ وأهْلِه ثَبِّتْنِي به حتَّى ألقَاكَ

Cucumber or Wild Cucumber

قِثَّاءٌ‏:‏في ‏(‏السنن‏)‏‏:‏ من حديث عبد الله بن جعفر رضى الله عنه ‏(‏أنَّ رسولَ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يأكلُ القِثَّاءَ بالرُّطب‏)‏‏.‏ ورواه الترمذىُّ وغيره‏.‏ القِثَّاء بارد رطب في الدرجة الثانية، مطفىءٌ لحرارة المَعِدَة الملتهبة، بطىء الفساد فيها، نافعٌ من وجع المثانة، ورائحتُه تنفع من الغَشْى، وبِزرُه يُدِرُّ البَوْل، وورقهُ إذا اتُّخِذ ضِماداً، نفع من عضة الكلب‏.‏ وهو بطىءُ الانحدار عن المَعِدة، وبرده مُضِرٌ ببعضها، فينبغى أن يُستعملَ معه ما يُصلحه ويكسر برودته ورطوبته، كما فعل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذ أكله بالرُّطب، فإذا أُكل بتمر أو زبيب أو عسل عدَّله‏.‏

Ibn al-Qayyim wrote: In the Sunan, there is a narration from Abdullah ibn Ja'far Radi Allaho Anh that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم used to eat cucumbers with ripe dates. This narration is reported by Tirmidhi and others.

Cucumber is considered cold and moist in the second degree. It cools the heat of the inflamed stomach and is slow to decay within it. It is beneficial for bladder pain, and its scent helps alleviate fainting. Its seeds promote urination, and its leaves, when applied as a poultice, are beneficial for dog bites. However, it is slow to move from the stomach, and its coldness can harm certain types of stomachs. Therefore, it should be consumed with something that balances and moderates its coldness and moisture, as Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم did by eating it with ripe dates. When eaten with dates, raisins, or honey, it becomes balanced.

Ibn al-Baytaar wrote : Al-Razi, in his book Repelling the Harmful Effects of Foods, notes that wild cucumbers are lighter than cucumbers and digest faster. They have a cooling and moisturizing effect without warming the body. In fact, they often help cool those with hot temperaments and generally don’t require modification unless consumed in excess. However, to alleviate any heaviness or bloating they may cause, remedies like cumin or quince-based tonics are beneficial. Wild cucumbers, cucumbers, and squash are suitable for those with warmer constitutions, but they can harm those with colder ones. Therefore, those individuals should consume them in moderation and counteract any adverse effects with strong, pure beverages and warming Jawaarish (tonics).

Ibn-e-Sina wrote : The seeds of cucumber are preferable to those of other varieties, and the best ones are mature. They are cool and moist, with cooling effects in the second degree.

Cucumber soothes heat and helps relieve bile, though its juice can spoil easily and is prone to causing chronic fevers. Melons spoil faster, but the mature seeds of cucumber are still beneficial. Cucumber does not digest as easily as melon and can cause lingering fevers. This effect can be countered by pairing it with caraway or for those with stomach inflammation.

For Swelling and Sores:

When mixed with honey, cucumber leaves can be applied to phlegmatic sores to provide relief.

For the Respiratory System:

The aroma of cucumber is refreshing and can revive individuals prone to hot fainting spells.

For Digestion:

Cucumber quenches thirst and is beneficial for the stomach, though it may not always digest well. Its juice, especially when extracted from the stem, can induce vomiting of thin phlegmatic substances.

For Excretion:

Cucumber is a mild diuretic and laxative, alleviating certain lower abdominal pains and is beneficial for the bladder, though less effective than fully mature cucumbers in stimulating urine production.

For Poisoning:

Cucumber leaves are beneficial against rabid dog bites.

Wild Cucumber:

Its juice is obtained by taking the fruit at the end of summer after it turns yellow, hanging it in cloth to collect the liquid, which is then filtered and dried on ashes, stored on a wooden surface in the shade.

Properties:

The best wild cucumber is yellow, straight, bitter, smooth, and lightweight. Properly stored, it has a third-degree hot and dry temperament and is light, with both its root and leaves possessing purgative and drying properties.

For Skin and Aesthetics:

The juice of cucumber is beneficial for jaundice, and powder made from its dried form cleanses dark spots and removes facial impurities.

For Swelling and Sores:

When applied with barley flour, cucumber root can relieve chronic phlegmatic swellings, sores, and wounds.

For Joints:

Boiling cucumber as a decoction and using it as an enema is effective for sciatica. When applied with vinegar, it also benefits gout.

For Headaches:

Cucumber juice helps alleviate intense headaches when used as a nasal drop with milk. It can drain excess fluids when applied to the nostrils with milk and also relieve chronic headaches and migraines. For ear pain, its juice is helpful when used as an ear drop.