27-8 Chewing frankincense (luban) dissolves phlegm. Begin your meals with salt, for if people knew what is in salt, they would choose it over proven antidotes. Whoever begins his food with salt, seventy ailments are removed from him, and more — known only to Allah, the Almighty. Pour cold water on a fevered person in the summer, for it calms the heat. Fast three days each month, for it equals fasting for a lifetime. We fast two Thursdays with a Wednesday between, because Allah, the Almighty, created Hell on a Wednesday. When one of you has a need, let him seek it early on Thursday, for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "O Allah, bless my nation in its early mornings on Thursday." When leaving the house, recite the final verses of Āl ʿImrān, Āyat al-Kursī, Surah al-Qadr, and al-Fātiḥah — in them is fulfillment of the needs of this world and the next. Wear thick clothing, for whoever wears thin clothing — his religion becomes thin. Let none of you stand before the Lord, Majestic and Mighty, wearing something that reveals (his body). Repent to Allah, the Almighty, and enter into His love, for indeed Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves. And the believer is ever-repenting. If a believer says to his brother, "Uff (shame on you)," the bond between them is cut. And if he says to him, "You are a disbeliever," then one of them becomes a disbeliever. And if he accuses him falsely, Islam melts in his heart just as salt melts in water. The gate of repentance is open for whoever seeks it. So repent to Allah with sincere repentance — perhaps your Lord will expiate your sins. Fulfill your covenants when you make them, for no blessing or ease of life was ever taken away except due to sins committed. Allah is never unjust to His servants. Had they responded with supplication and turning to Him, they would not have lost their blessings. And had they, when calamity struck and blessings were taken away, turned to Allah sincerely and without weakness or excess, Allah would have set right every corruption for them and restored every blessing. When a Muslim is afflicted or constricted in life, he should not complain about his Lord, rather he should complain to his Lord — the One who holds the keys and management of all affairs. In every person there is one of three: superstition (ṭiyarah), arrogance, or excessive desire. If one of you feels superstition, let him continue forward and remember Allah, the Almighty. If he fears arrogance, let him eat with his servant or slave and milk the sheep. If he desires something, let him ask Allah for it sincerely and not let his soul pull him toward sin. Associate with people based on what they recognize (and accept), and leave them from what they reject. Do not burden them with yourselves or with us. Indeed, our matter is difficult and burdensome — none can bear it except an angel brought near, a sent prophet, or a servant whose heart Allah has tested with faith. If Satan whispers to one of you, let him seek refuge in Allah and say: "Āmantu billāhi wa birasūlih mukhliṣan lahud-dīn" (I believe in Allah and His Messenger, sincerely devoting the religion to Him.) When Allah blesses a believer with new clothing, let him perform ablution, and pray two rakʿahs, reciting in them: al-Fātiḥah, Āyat al-Kursī, Surah al-Ikhlāṣ (Qul Huwa Allāhu Aḥad), Surah al-Qadr (Innā Anzalnāhu fī Laylat al-Qadr), Then let him praise Allah who covered his nakedness and beautified him among people, and say often: "Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh al-ʿAliyy al-ʿAẓīm" (There is no power nor strength except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.) For he will not disobey Allah in that garment, and for every thread in it, an angel will glorify Allah on his behalf, seek forgiveness for him, and invoke mercy upon him.