The intersection of religion and medicine has long been a field of profound interest and intricate interweaving. Within the vast expanse of Islamic teachings, insights on health, disease, and medical treatments occupy a significant space, revealing an age-old commitment to physical and spiritual well-being.
This article delves into the rich tapestry of Islamic perspectives and insights on diseases, medical treatments, and preventative measures, exploring the wisdom embedded in religious texts and practices. Read this to learn more on how Islamic insights offer a holistic approach to health that harmonizes faith and science.
Desire to be free from Diseases
It was narrated from ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) that The Prophet(ﷺ) used to seek refuge with Allah from miserliness, cowardice, the torment of the grave, the feebleness of old age and diseases of the heart (such as envy, hatred, and wrong ‘aqeedah). Wakee` said: And diseases of the heart means dying. Wakee said: And turmoil (fitnah) from which he has not repented. Musnad Ahmad 388
Qutbah bin Malik (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say, “O Allah, I seek refuge in you from evil morals, deeds, passions and diseases.” Related by At-Tirmidhi. Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih and it is his version. Bulugh al-Maram Book 16, Hadith 1540
Sins & Bad Deeds as reasons behind diseases
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah said: “Nothing afflicts the believer, whether fatigue, grief, disease – even a worry that concerns him – except that by it, Allah removes something from his bad deeds.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 966
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” Sahih al-Bukhari 5641, 5642
Narrated Ibn Mas`ud: I visited the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was having a high fever. I touched him an said, “You have a very high fever” He said, “Yes, as much fever as two me of you may have.” I said. “you will have a double reward?” He said, “Yes No Muslim is afflicted with hurt caused by disease or some other inconvenience, but that Allah will remove his sins as a tree sheds its leaves.” Sahih al-Bukhari 5667
Isolating Patients & Precautions in Communicable Diseases
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: The cattle (sheep, cows, camels, etc.) suffering from a disease should not be mixed up with healthy cattle, (or said: “Do not put a patient with a healthy person).” (as a precaution). Sahih al-Bukhari 5771
There is a Cure for Every Disease
Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying: “There is a medicine for every disease, and when the medicine is applied to the disease it is cured by God’s permission.” Mishkat al-Masabih 4515
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment.” Sahih al-Bukhari 5678
Using Medicines & Seeking Treatment
It was narrated that Usamah bin Sharik said: “I saw the Bedouins asking the Prophet (ﷺ): ‘Is there any harm in such and such, is there any harm in such and such?’ He said to them: ‘O slaves of Allah! Allah has only made harm in that which transgresses the honor of one’s brother. That is what is sinful.’ They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Is there any sin if we do not seek treatment?’ He said: ‘Seek treatment, O slaves of Allah! For Allah does not create any disease but He also creates with it the cure, except for old age.’ They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is the best thing that a person may be given?’ He said: ‘Good manners.’” Sunan Ibn Majah 3436
Usama b. Sharik told that when God’s messenger was asked whether they should make use of medical treatment he replied, “Yes servants of God, make use of medical treatment, for God has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease; viz., old age.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it. Mishkat al-Masabih 4532
Narrated Um Qais: I went to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) along with a a son of mine whose palate and tonsils I had pressed with my finger as a treatment for a (throat and tonsil) disease. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Why do you pain your children by pressing their throats! Use Ud Al-Hindi (certain Indian incense) for it cures seven diseases, one of which is pleurisy. It is used as a snuff for treating throat and tonsil disease and it is inserted into one side of the mouth of one suffering from pleurisy.” Sahih al-Bukhari 5713
Rule of Halal & Haram in Medical Intervention
Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) allowed `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf and Az-Zubair to wear silken shirts because they had a skin disease causing itching. Sahih al-Bukhari 2919
Wa’il al-Hadrami said that Tariq b. Suwaid asked the Prophet about wine and he forbade him. When he told him that he made it only as a medicine he replied, “It is not a medicine, but is a disease.” Muslim transmitted it. Mishkat al-Masabih 3642
Anxiety is also a Disease
Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying that “There is no might and no power except in God” is a remedy for ninety-nine diseases, the lightest of which is anxiety. Mishkat al-Masabih 2320
Visiting Patients
Narrated `Aisha: Whenever Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) paid a visit to a patient, or a patient was brought to him, he used to invoke Allah, saying, “Take away the disease, O the Lord of the [Mankind]! Cure him as You are the One Who cures. There is no cure but Yours, a cure that leaves no disease.” Sahih al-Bukhari 5675
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When the Prophet (ﷺ) visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his right hand and would supplicate: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, adhhibil-ba’sa, washfi, Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifaan la yughadiru saqaman [O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him or her)! You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no disease].” Riyad as-Salihin 902
Black Cumin
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death.” Sahih al-Bukhari 5688
Disease & Martyrdom
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Five are regarded as martyrs: They are those who die because of plague, Abdominal disease, drowning or a falling building etc., and the martyrs in Allah’s Cause.” Sahih al-Bukhari 2829