Limestone

October 16, 2026 Dr Md shahriar kabir 1 min read

Classical Classification & Status

Primary Nomenclature: Arabic: حجر الكلس (Hajar al-Kils) or الكلس (Al-Kils); Bengali: চুনা পাথর (Chuna Pathar) / চুন (Chun).

Source Classification:

Prophetic Medicine (Tibb an-Nabawi): Mentioned in classical Islamic medical literature—including Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya’s Zad al-Ma’ad—as an inorganic mineral used for its drying and astringent qualities.

Hadith Status: Mentioned in traditional texts regarding hair removal (Naura), but primary narrations (such as from Umm Salamah in Musnad Abu Ya’la) are evaluated by scholars (e.g., Shaykh Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut) as not authentic (da’if).

Classical Greco-Arab (Unani) Medicine: Extensively detailed by physicians like Ibn Sina (The Canon of Medicine) and Al-Razi for topical, desiccant, and anti-ulcer compounding.

Classical Temperament & Properties

Temperament: Cold and Dry in the third degree (when fully processed/slaked).

Primary Actions:

Desiccant (Mujaffif): Absorbs moisture and dries up weeping wounds, chronic skin ulcers, and excessive mucosal exudates.

Astringent & Anti-inflammatory: When blended with soothing oils (such as rose oil or olive oil), slaked lime pastes were applied topically to calm burns and check superficial bleeding.

Antacid Action: Neutralizes excess stomach acid when compounded in minute, purified medicinal preparations.

📖 Hadith Reference ▼

The Hadith references and classical primary texts regarding limestone (Chuna Pathar) and depilatory lime pastes (Naura) can be broken down in detail as follows:

Primary Hadith Citations

A. Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith #3752)

Arabic Text: text{عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اطَّلَى وَوَلِيَ عَانَتَهُ بِيَدِهِ}

Translation: Narrated from Umm Salamah (RA) that the Prophet (ﷺ) coated himself with a depilatory paste (containing lime/mineral compounds) and applied it to his private areas with his own hand.

Scholarly Authenticity Grading:

Grade: Da'if (Weak).

Analysis: Leading Hadith authorities—including Al-Daraqutni, Al-Ukayli (Ad-Du'afa 04:252), and contemporary Hadith scholar Shaykh Shu'ayb al-Arna'ut—classified the chain (Isnad) containing Kamil ibn al-Ala and Habib ibn Abi Thabit as weak (Da'if).

B. Musnad Abu Ya'la (Hadith #455) & Extended Text

Context: The expanded version of the narration from Umm Salamah (RA) states that when the Prophet (ﷺ) applied the hair-removing lime paste (Naura), he began with his private area himself, and members of his household assisted with the remaining parts of his body.

Reference Sources: Recorded in Musnad Abu Ya'la (Hadith #455), Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim (07:2806), and Al-Mu'jam compilations.

Authenticity Grading: Da'if (Weak). While recorded in classical compendiums, the transmission lines lack the continuous authentic (Sahih) rigor required for legal ruling.

Historical & Companion Reports (Athaar)

A. Historical Origin via Prophet Solomon (Solomon ibn Dawud)

Primary Citation: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (Hadith #36032) and Al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Iman (Hadith #7388).

Textual Summary: Reports state that Prophet Solomon (al-ayhis salam) was the first to enter a bathhouse (Hammam) and have a depilatory mineral paste (Lomanashak Pathar / Naura) prepared for body grooming.

Canonical Guidance vs. Historical Hygiene Practices

Aspect

Canonical Sunnah (Sahih)

Historical Herbal Use (Da'if / Traditional)

Method of Removal

Shaving (Istihdad) & Plucking: Explicitly established in Sahih al-Bukhari (#5891) and Sahih Muslim (#257) as part of natural hygiene (Fitrah).

Depilatory Paste (Naura): Traditional mineral pastes combining slaked lime (Chuna) and arsenic compounds (Hartal).

Hadith Validity

Direct authentic command for shaving/trimming.

Narrations describing specific lime usage are graded Weak (Da'if).

🌿 Ingredients ▼

Active Ingredients & Modern Scientific Notes

Modern chemistry and medical science classify limestone primarily as Calcium Carbonate (CaCO_3), which breaks down or transforms into essential calcium derivatives:

Bioactive Compound

Chemical Class

Modern Biomedical Function

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO_3)

Essential Inorganic Mineral

• Gastric Antacid: Neutralizes stomach acid (HCl) rapidly, providing relief from acid reflux, GERD, and heartburn. • Elemental Calcium Source: Provides bioavailable calcium needed for bone mineralization and neuromuscular signaling.

Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)_2)

Slaked Lime / Alkaline Salt

• Antiseptic & Desiccant: Highly alkaline pH destroys bacterial pathogens in topical application and endodontic preparations.

⚗️ Preparation Method ▼

Classical & Traditional Preparation Methods

Critical Safety Warning: Raw limestone or unslaked quicklime (Pora Chuna / Calcium Oxide) is highly caustic and causes severe chemical burns. In traditional medicine, only slaked, washed, and purified calcium (Chun) was utilized.

Purified Mineral Slaking (Iflas / Tat'heer):

Method: Raw burnt lime (Calcium Oxide) was placed in pure water, inducing an exothermic reaction that produces Calcium Hydroxide (Slaked Lime). The water was repeatedly drained and refreshed over several days to remove harsh caustic impurities, leaving a mild, purified mineral residue.

Topical Astringent Paste (Marham-e-Kils):

Ingredients: 1 part purified slaked lime paste + 2 parts rose water or olive oil.

Method: Thoroughly blend the mixture into a fine ointment.

Application: Applied externally to dry out oozing skin lesions, minor surface burns, and localized inflammation.

Historical Depilatory Formula (Naura / Lomanashak):

Composition: Blending two parts lime (chun) and one part yellow arsenic (orpiment / hartal) in water.

Method: Kept in a warm place or sun until dissolved, producing a bluish tint. Applied briefly to remove unwanted hair before being thoroughly washed off.

Traditional Antacid Compound:

Method: Micro-doses of purified calcium carbonate were compounded with digestive herbs (such as mint or fennel water) to soothe acute hyperacidity and stomach burn.

🤲 Dua / Ruqyah ▼

Complete Quranic References

Limestone and quicklime (Chuna) are referenced in the Qur'an indirectly through architectural and material history contexts, specifically in relation to monumental structures built using processed lime, gypsum, and smooth plaster (Sarh / Qawarir):

Surah An-Naml (27:44) — The Palace of Queen Bilqis (Sheba): text{قِيلَ لَهَا ادْخُلِي الصَّرْحَ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَتْهُ حَسِبَتْهُ لُجَّةً وَكَشَفَتْ عَن سَاقَيْهَا ۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُ صَرْحٌ مُّمَرَّدٌ مِّن قَوَارِيرَ} "She was told, 'Enter the palace.' But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins. [Solomon] said, 'Indeed, it is a palace [made] smooth with glass/polished plaster.'"

Tafsir Context: Classical commentators note that ancient smooth palaces were constructed using calcined limestone mortar and gypsum plasters polished to reflect light.

Surah Al-Qasas (28:38) — Fired Clay & Building Minerals of Pharaoh: text{فَأَوْقِدْ لِي يَا هَامَانُ عَلَى الطَّينِ فَاجْعَل لِّي صَرْحًا لَّعَلِّي أَطَّلِعُ إِلَىٰ إِلَٰهِ مُوسَىٰ} "So kindle for me, O Haman, [a fire] upon the clay and make for me a tower that I may look at the God of Moses..."

Tafsir Context: Refers to the ancient Egyptian architectural process of calcining stone and firing brick using heat.

🔬 Modern Scientific Notes ▼