The Sweet Basil

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Nawfafiy from af-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, liked sweet basil. 5 ”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), liked al- Badharuj (sweet basil).’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ayyub ibn Nuh who has said the following: “I once was with abu al-Hassan, al-Awwal on a table of food and he asked for sweet basil saying, ‘I like to begin my food with it because it opens up blockages, and strengthens one’s appetite for food and takes away al-Subul (the paths). If I begin my food with it I then do not mind what I eat thereafter of food; I will not be afraid of illness or calamity.’ When we completed eating, he (the Imam) asked for it again and I saw him searching on the table-spread for its leaves. He (the Imam) ate them and gave to me saying, ‘Finish eating with this; it makes what you ate pleasant, strengthens your appetite for what you may eat thereafter, takes away heaviness and makes burps pleasant as well as one’s breath.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Musa from ’Ishkib ibn ‘Abdah al-Hamadaniy through his chain of narrators who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Al-Hawk (sweet basil) is the herb of the Prophets. There are eight qualities in it; It is pleasant, opens up blockages, makes burping pleasant, freshens one’s breath, increases appetite for food, pulls out illness and it is protection against leprosy and when it settles down in one’s stomach it suppresses illness.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.