I would like to know if there is a Hadith that makes mention of the consumption of camel urine for shifa (i.e medicinal purposes). Is it authentic? And if so, can the Hadith be used to validate the usage of camel urine? Please provide some commentary on the Hadith.
Answer
Imams Bukhari, Muslim, and others (rahimahumullah) have recorded a Hadith of such nature on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The Hadith is therefore authentic.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 233, and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1671)
It is from this very Hadith that many of the ‘Ulama have deduced the permissibility of consuming and utilizing normally haram impure (najis) substances (such as camel urine, etc.) at the time of darurah (necessity) [This is also referred to as Tadawi bil haram/bil muharram. Refer to a Mufti for more].
(Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 233, ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 233, and Mirqat, Hadith: 3539)
Translation
Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that: “[a group of] People from [the] ‘Ukl or ‘Uraynah [tribe] came [to Madinah] and felt averse to the climate [i.e the climate didn’t suit them]. [They then complained to Nabi – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam] Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) instructed them to go to a herd of she camels and drink some of their urine and milk. They then proceeded to do so.
When they recovered [from their illness and uneasiness], they [suddenly] killed the shepherd of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) [i.e the one in charge of seeing to the animals and taking care of them] and [violently] drove away the camels.
The news came [i.e reached Nabi – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam] early in the morning, so he sent [a group to chase] after them. By mid-day they were [caught] and brought [before Nabi – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam-]. They were then punished and killed.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 233; Also see: Fathul Bari, Hadith 233, ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 233, and Mirqat, Hadith: 3539)
The commentators of Hadith have mentioned different reasons as to why Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) punished these individuals so severely. Amongst the reasons mentioned is that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) had them killed in the same manner as they had killed the shepherd.
(Refer: Mirqat, Hadith: 3539)
Note: This is merely an explanation regarding the authenticity and text of the aforementioned Hadith. Kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta for further queries regarding matters pertaining to the fiqhi understanding and application of the Hadith.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.