Healing
Belongs to Allâh ...
by Imâm of
the Prophet's Mosque in al-Madîna al-Munawarrah
Fellow Muslims! This world is an abode of trials in which no
man is safe from an illness that disrupts his life or weakens
him. Afflictions are however a blessing; for our Lord showers
mercythrough trials and tries some with blessings.Bitterness of
this world for the believer is the real sweetness of the
Hereafter for him. Many a blessing given to a man has been a
source of his illness and many a deprived person has been
healed through his depravity.
Allâh says, "It may be that you dislike a thing which is good
for you and you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows
but you do not know." (2:216)
Affliction is a sign of Allâh's love and the way to Paradise.
The Prophet pbuh said,
"Great reward goes with great affliction, and when Allâh loves
a people, He tries them. Whoever shows contentedness among them
will earn the pleasure of Allâh and whoever becomes angry earns
the anger of Allâh." (At-Tirmidhî)
Good health is one of the greatest blessings of Allâh. The
Prophet said, "There are two blessings of which many people get
deceived: good health and free time." (Al-Bukhârî)
Good health is one of the things that man will be called to
account for on the Day of Resurrection. The Messenger of Allâh
said,
"The first thing that man will be asked of on the Day of
Resurrection is, 'Had I not given you health in your body and
quenched your thirst with cold water?' " (At-Tirmidhî)
One of the most severe tests is to deprive a man of his health.
The best individuals among men have been afflicted with
diseases. Ibn Mas'ûd entered upon the Messenger of Allâh, while
he was suffering from an illness, and he said, "O Messenger of
Allâh, you are seriously suffering from an illness".
The Prophet said, "Yes, I am suffering from an illness as two
men among you would do." (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim). Prophet
Ayyûb was also overwhelmed with disease for years.
Brethren in Faith! Suffering illness exalts one's degree and
erases one's sins. The Messenger of Allâh said,"No Muslim is
afflicted with a disease or other affliction except that his
sins are removed from him as leaves fall of a tree." (Al-Bukhârî
and Muslim).
The sick person will have the reward of what he used to do when
he was healthy, written for him in his sickness even if he does
not do them. It is during the illness that a believer increases
in îmân, dependence on Allâh and having good opinion of Him. It
is also the healing for diseases of the heart like arrogance,
haughtiness, heedlessness and self-deception. The guided Muslim
learns lessons from trial of his time, for all afflictions that
is not in one's religion is well-being.
The sign of Allâh in the creation of man has been known to a
lot of doctors. Allâh says, "And (there are signs) also in your
own selves. Will you not then see?" (51:21)
O doctor, be conscious of Allâh in all that you say and do. For
your word is taken as far as diseases are concerned and your
opinion is followed. The sick person is afflicted by Allâh for
a wisdom by which He wants to exalt him and purify him. Do not
therefore disdain him because of his illness. If a doctor
behaves arrogantly with his knowledge, Allâh will relegate him.
It is wise for him to say about things of which he has no
knowledge, "I do not know". For there are some diseases the
cure of which Allâh has removed its knowledge. Be gentle with
the patient and do not feel inconvenienced with his complaints
or rudeness. Give the patient good tiding that he will soon be
alright, for Allâh loves optimism.
The Muslim doctor should be sincere in his work; for it is by
sincerity that ones work is blessed . He should endeavor to
know the new things in his profession for the service Islâm and
Muslims without neglecting any of all that the Sharî'ah
teaches. He should believe in the existence of magic and its
effect. He should not deny the existence of jinn and their
mixing with man. He should believe in the existence of evil eye
and that if anything could overtake the pre-decree, the evil
eye would have done so.
Fellow Muslims! No one cures but Allâh and no one removes
afflictions but Allâh. The medicine and the doctor are only
means by which Allâh facilitates the healing. Therefore, make
use of the means and use only lawful medications. Do not have
total reliance on the doctor for none is capable of causing you
any harm or benefit except Allâh. Put your trust in Allâh and
submit your affairs to Him, for He is the One Who brings
benefit and causes harm. Know that if the whole of the nation
are to be gathered in order to benefit or harm you, they cannot
do any benefit or harm to you except only by that which Allâh
has decreed for you. The most useful medicine is however total
reliance on Allâh, taking refuge with Him and having good
opinion of Him.
Seeking medication with the Qur'ân and invocations narrated in
the Sunnah are the best healing for disease, so is sincere and
humble supplication with certainty of faith. Doing a lot of
alms giving is also one of the best medications. There are in
this world some certain and divine medications that emanated
from the Prophet, Pressed dates of Al-Madeenah. It prevents the
effects of poison and magic spell. The Messenger of Allâh said,
"Whoever eats every morning seven 'ajwah dates, no poison or
magic spell will harm such a person." (Muslim)
Water is also a medication for fever. The Prophet said,"Fever
is of the fragrance of the Fire, so douse it with water." (Al-Bukhârî
and Muslim). Also, nothing like honey in meaning has been
created for us. Cupping is also one of the best methods of
healing. The Messenger of Allâh said, "The best of what you
treat yourselves with is cupping". (Al-Bukhârî and Muslim)
The black seed is also a cure from all diseases. The Prophet
said, "Make use of the black seed for in it is a cure for all
diseases."
There are however some diseases that cannot be cured except
with the Qur'ân and the Prophetic invocations. They are used
for untying a magic spell and expulsion of evil spirits.
Muslims also possess blessed water that is the noblest of all
waters and the highest in esteem. It is Zamzam water that
springs from the blessed land in the sacred House of Allâh. It
is a kind of food and cure. These are the curing prophetic
medications from which those who accept them and believe in
their curing effects benefit.
Fellow Muslims in Faith! A lot of Istighfâr (seeking for
forgiveness) removes diseases and reduces their effects. Allâh
says,
"Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will
send you (from the sky) abundant rain and add strength to your
strength. So do not turn away as criminals." (11:52)
Sins close doors of knowledge. Islâm has forbidden being in
seclusion with a strange woman for the purpose of medical
examinations and the like. Muslims should therefore follow the
injunction Islâm in everywhere. Mingling of male and female
workers in medical institutions weakens knowledge and removes
the blessing of medication. It is also one of the causes of
keeping one away from Allâh and from healing.
The Messenger of Allâh, said,"I have not left after me for men
a trial that is greater than women". Conversely, obeying Allâh
opens doors of knowledge, spiritual upliftment and perfection
of deeds. The patients as well as medical personnel should move
closer to Allâh for removal of the afflictions; for when the
trials becomes severe, none removes them but Allâh. Keeping
away from Allâh and disobeying Him in times of bliss are among
the causes of misery.
Fellow Muslims! Of the firmness and completeness of faith is to
persevere and be contented with what has been decreed. Be
contented, dear patient, with what Allâh has portioned out for
you. Have patience of the willing noble servant of Allâh, for
the end of patience is good. Allâh says,
"And if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for the
patientones." (16:126)
Whoever perseveres and is contented, Allâh will keep for him
what is greater. Remember also that, what Allâh afflicted you
with is only to purify and elevate you and that, what Allâh
endows you with of favours are manifolds of what He takes from
you. Showing anguish does not cure the illness but aggravates
it. If you are afflicted with disease, praise Allâh that you
were not afflicted with more than that. Supplicate to your Lord
in seclusion and do not forget the remembrance of Allâh as a
way of thanking Him for His abundant gifts. No situation is
uglier than when man repents to Allâh in affliction and then
becomes a sinner during time of bliss.
Make a sincere repentance to Allâh and learn lessons from
vicissitudes of time. Beware of satanic ways like having bad
opinion of Allâh, getting annoyed and showing anguish, for
Allâh is always All-Compassionate with His slaves and He is the
One that removes calamities and hears the agony of the
sorrowful. He says,
"If Allâh touches you with harm, none can remove it but He and
if
He touches you with good, then He is able to do all things."
(6:17)
Fellow Muslims! One of the best ways by which man treats his
illness is to search his heart, to reform it and to strengthen
his soul by relying on Allâh, seeking refuge with him, humbling
himself before Him, giving alms, invoking Allâh, returning to
Him in repentance, doing good to people, aiding the wronged and
relieving the distressed. Ibn al-Qayyim said,
"May Allâh have mercy on these medications. Many nations have
tried it regardless of their religions and beliefs and found it
to be very effective in healing what the doctors could not
heal. And we and others have also tried these things on many
occasions and found that they achieved what physical
medications could not achieve."