“حبط” in the Masnavi

Whatever they tried by way of cure and remedy, the suffering only increased, and their need was left unfulfilled.

By divine decree, the oxymel syrup meant to ease the bile only increased it, and the almond oil meant to soften and moisten brought dryness instead.

Myrobalan brought constipation instead of relief, and water fed the fire of the illness like oil.

He said: 'Whatever remedy the physicians have administered has brought no cure at all, but only ruin.'