The Benefits of Sidr Leaves and How to Use It for Bathing

Quranic Ayat Mentioning Sidr

وَلَقَدۡ رَءَاهُ نَزۡلَةً أُخۡرَىٰ
عِندَ سِدۡرَةِ ٱلۡمُنتَهَىٰ
عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰۤ
إِذۡ یَغۡشَى ٱلسِّدۡرَةَ مَا یَغۡشَىٰ

“And he certainly saw him in another descent
At the sidr of the Utmost Boundary
Near it is the Garden of Refuge
When there covered the sidr that which covered [it]”

53:13-16

Hadith on Sidr

The Prophet ﷺ ordered in authentic hadith that his deceased daughter be washed with sidr, and in another hadith he ordered a man who had newly entered Islam to bathe with sidr.

عَنْ أُمِّ عَطِيَّةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ تُوُفِّيَتْ إِحْدَى بَنَاتِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَتَانَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ اغْسِلْنَهَا بِالسِّدْرِ وِتْرًا ثَلاَثًا أَوْ خَمْسًا أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ إِنْ رَأَيْتُنَّ ذَلِكَ، وَاجْعَلْنَ فِي الآخِرَةِ كَافُورًا أَوْ شَيْئًا مِنْ كَافُورٍ، فَإِذَا فَرَغْتُنَّ فَآذِنَّنِي ‏”‏‏.‏ فَلَمَّا فَرَغْنَا آذَنَّاهُ، فَأَلْقَى إِلَيْنَا حِقْوَهُ، فَضَفَرْنَا شَعَرَهَا ثَلاَثَةَ قُرُونٍ وَأَلْقَيْنَاهَا خَلْفَهَا‏.‏

One of the daughters of the Prophet (ﷺ) expired and he came to us and said, “Wash her with Sidr (water) for odd number of times, i.e. three, five or more, if you think it necessary, and in the last, put camphor or (some camphor on her), and when you finish, notify me.” So when we finished we informed him. He gave his waist-sheet to us (to shroud her). We entwined the hair (of the deceased girl) in three braids and made them fall at her back.

Sahih Bukhari, 1263

عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ عَاصِمٍ، أَنَّهُ أَسْلَمَ فَأَمَرَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ بِمَاءٍ وَسِدْرٍ

Qais bin Asim narrated that he accepted Islam and the Prophet ordered him to perform Ghusl with water and Sidr.

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 605

Benefits of Washing with Sidr

The benefits of sidr have also been documented by the scholars of Islam. Al Hafiz al Dhahabi (rahimullah) wrote about bathing with sidr:

لاغتسال بالسدر ينقي الرأس أكثر من غيره ويذهب الحرارة

“Washing with sidr purifies the head more than other things and removes heat.”

Like soap, sidr is known for containing saponins which is why it forms bubbles when mixed with water. It also contains mucilage and has astringent properties which make it ideal for sensitive scalps. These properties make it excellent for preventing dandruff, and softening and adding volume to the hair.

It can also be helpful in treating acne, psoriasis, eczema and itching.

How to Bathe or Wash Hair with Sidr

To wash with sidr, simply take a small amount of powdered sidr leaves and mix it with water until it becomes a paste. You can then use this paste in the same way you would use shampoo or gel soap, rubbing it thoroughly in your hair or on your skin.

For full effect, you can leave it on the skin or in the hair for a few minutes to let the beneficial compounds absorb. Then rinse thoroughly until all of the powder is removed.

There you have it! No more need for expensive Western shampoos and body washes that contain toxic chemicals and harm your body and the environment!

How to use Sidr against Sihr (Magic)

The use of sidr for protection against magic has been widespread among the Muslims since the time of the sahaba (radhi Allahu anhum). One traditional method of countering magic with sidr is to take crushed leaves (sometimes seven leaves) and dissolve them in water. Then recite Ayat al Kursi, Surat al Ikhlas, Surah al Falaq, Surat an-Nas, and other ayat which are beneficial for countering magic, such as the verses from Surah Ta Ha, Surah Yunus, and Surah al ‘Araf that deal with magic.