تبريد الحمى بالماء

Cooling Fever with Water

Therapeutic Practice Fever

Cooling the body with water during fever, based on the description of fever as a form of heat to be countered with cold.

sahih graded

الْحُمَّى مِنْ فَيْحِ جَهَنَّمَ فَأَبْرِدُوهَا بِالْمَاءِ

“Fever is from the heat of Hell, so cool it down with water.” (meaning, not a literal translation)

Sahih al-Bukhari 3263; Sahih Muslim 2209 Sahih

Ibn al-Qayyim's Commentary

Ibn al-Qayyim explains this as cooling by cold water applied externally (poured or as a compress) rather than necessarily drinking large volumes, aimed at balancing the excess internal heat associated with fever.

Caution

For fevers above 39.4°C (103°F), fevers in infants under three months, or fever with severe symptoms (stiff neck, confusion, difficulty breathing, rash), seek emergency medical care rather than relying on home cooling alone.