Quran is Healing

Islam  takes  a  holistic  approach  to  health.Just  as  religious  life  is  inseparable  from secular life, physical, emotional and spiritual health cannot be separated; they are three parts that make a completely healthy person.When one part is injured or unhealthy, the other parts suffer.If a person is physically ill or injured it may be difficult to concentrate on anything but the pain.If a person is emotionally unwell, he or she may not be able to take care of him or herself properly or find their minds distracted from the realities of life.When speaking to his followers Prophet Muhammad spoke of the strong believer being better than a weak believer, in the eyes of God.[1]The word strong here can mean strength in faith or in character, but it can equally mean health. Our bodies are a trust from God and we are accountable for how we look after our health.Although physical and emotionalhealth is important, spiritual health needs to be the first priority in our lives.If a person is in spiritual difficulty then life can begin to unravel and problems may occur in all areas.Injury and illness can happen for many reasons, however it is important to acknowledge and accept that nothing happens in this world accept with the permission of God."And with Him are the keys of the unseen;no one knows them except Him.And He knows what is on the land and in the sea.Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that is [written] in a clear record."(Quran 6:59)This world is but a transient place, beautified for us by the things we covet, spouses, children,  wealth and  luxury.Yet  these  are  just  passing  pleasures  and  temporary  joys compared to the contentment and extreme beauty that is Paradise[2].To help us secure a place  in  Paradise  God  places  trials  and  obstacles  in  our  way.He  tests  our  patience  and gratitude and provides us with ways and means of overcoming the obstacles. God is also merciful and just, so we can be sure that whatever trials we face God designed them to help us secure a place of eternal bliss. Injury and ill health are trials and tests that we must face with patience, forbearance and above all acceptance.Accepting a trial does not mean that we do nothing, of course we try to overcome it and learn from it.Accepting means facing the trial patiently armed with the weapons God has provided for us.The greatest of these weapons is the Quran, a book of guidance, filled with mercy and healing. The Quran is not a textbook or book of medicine, but it does contain guidance that promotes good health and healing.“O mankind!There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Quran), and a healing for that which is in your hearts.”(Quran 10:57)“And We send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy tothose who believe...”(Quran 17:82)There is no doubt that the words and verses of Quran contain a healing for humankind’s woes and ills.It was narrated in the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, that certain verses and chapters by God’s will could bring about healing from disease and distress.Slowly over the years, we have begun to rely more on medicines and physical remedies rather then the spiritual remedies prescribed by Islam.If faith is strong and unwavering, the effect of spiritual remedies may be fast and efficient.From  the  traditions  of  Prophet  Muhammad  comes  the  story  of  the  man  whom  the Prophet sent on a mission.He camped close by to some people who did not show him any hospitality.When  the  leader  of  the  nearby  camp  was  bitten  by  a  snake,  they  went  to Prophet Muhammad’s companion for help.He recited the opening chapter of the Quran over the afflicted man and he arose “as if released from a chain”.[3]It is important to seek a cure from the Quran, in the manner prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad, but it is equally important to understand that it is permissible and at times obligatory, to seek helpfrom medical practitioners.Our bodies are ours, only in trust; we are  obligated  to  treat  them  with  respect  and  to  maintain  them  in  the  best  way.In accordance with the holistic approach Islam takes to health, there is no contradiction in seeking a curefrom both medical science and permissible spiritual means.The Prophet said: “There is no disease that God Almighty has created, except that He also has created its treatment.”[4]He also said: “There is a remedy for every malady, and when the remedy is applied to the disease it is cured with the permission of Almighty God.”[5]Quran is a healing for the body and the soul. Whenever life becomes too difficult or we are beset by injury, illness or unhappiness Quran will light our way and lighten our burdens.It is a source of solace and ease.In the world today many people have untold wealth and luxury but little contentment.Those of us in the West have access to doctors and medicine, to traditional healing, medical breakthroughs and alternative cures but many lives are full of emotional pain and listlessness.What is missing is belief, faith in God.

In the past several decades, it has become widely accepted that religious belief and practices have a significant impact on both physical and emotional health.Medical and scientific research has demonstrated that religious commitment aids in the prevention and treatment of emotional disorders, disease and injury and enhances recovery.[6]Belief in and submission to the will of God is the most essential part of good health care.The words and recitation of Quran can cure hearts and minds, as well as overcome illness and injury, however  complete  trust  in  God  does  not  negate  the  healing  effects  of  medical  science provided  we  use  them  only  in  lawful  ways.Indeed,  God  has  power  over  all  things, therefore we need to put our trust in Him, develop a lasting relationship with His book of guidance –the Quran, follow the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad and seek a cure, wherever it may be.

Source : www.islamhouse.com

Health in Islam

Islam comes from the root word “sa-la-ma”, as do the words Muslim (one who follows the message of Islam) and “salaam” (peace).The root word “Sa -la –ma”denotes peace, security,  safety  as  it  does  submission  and  surrender  to  Almighty  God.This  security  is inherent in the submission to the One God.When a person submits to the will of God he will  experience  an  innate  senseof  security  and  peacefulness.He  must  also  understand that  God  is  the  Creator  of  all  that  exists  or  will  come  to  exist, and  has  power  over  all things.With this surrender and understanding comes peace –real, easily attainable, and everlasting peace.From  the  beginning  of  time,  Godhas  revealed  Himself  through  Prophets  and Messengers, who have come with one message.Worship God, without partners, without offspring  and  without  intermediaries.The  rules  and  laws  were  sometimes  different, because they were applicable for the people of a particular time or place, but the creed of each Messenger was the same.Worship Me, and your reward will be contentment in this life  and  in  the  hereafter.When  Prophet  Muhammad  came,  in  the  7thcentury,  BCE,  his message was slightly different.He called to the worship of the One God, but his call was for all of humankind.The message was now complete and revealed for all places, and in all times.Islam  was  completed  for  the  benefit  of  all  who  will  exist,  until  the  final  Day  of Judgment.It is not a religion belonging to the Arabs, although Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was an Arab, nor is it a religion for the Asian countries or the third world.Muslims exist in all continents and come from all races and ethnicities.There are Muslims in New York, Sydney, Cape Town and Berlin as well as Cairo, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai.Muslims are as diverse as this magnificent planet.Islam is also not a religion that accepts part time or halfhearted commitment.Islam is a way of life; Islam is a holistic way of life.When God created the world He did not abandon it to instability and insecurity, quite the contrary, He sent guidance.He sent a rope, firm and steady, and by holding tightly to this rope an insignificant human being can achieve greatness and eternal peace. A Muslim strives to obey God’s commandments and does so by following God’s guide to life -the Quran, and the authentic teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad.The Quran is a book of guidance and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad explain and in  some  cases  expand  on  that  guidance.Islam,  as  a  complete  way  of  life,  stresses  the importance of maintaining good health and offers the ways and the means to cope with ill health. The Quran is a book of wisdom. Itis a book full of the wonder and glory of God, and a testament to His mercy and justice.Through His infinite mercy, God has provided us with a holistic approach to life, one that covers all aspects, spiritual, emotional and physical.When God created humankind, He did so for one purpose –to worship Him.“And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind, except to worship Me (Alone).”(Quran 51:56)The comprehensiveness of Islam allows every aspect of life, from sleeping and washing, to  praying  and  working,  to  be  an  act  of  worship. One  who  is  truly  submitted  to  God  is grateful for the countless blessings in his or her life and wants to thank and praise God for His  generosity,  kindness  and  mercy.Prophet  Muhammad  explained  that  we  should  be thankful to Godin every situation, whether we perceive it to be good or bad.The reality is that God is just, therefore, whatever situation a believer finds himself in, he knows there is goodness and wisdom embedded in it.“Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer!They are all for his benefit.If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him.And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him.”(Muslim)The  life  of  this  world  is  not  stable. Every  person  goes  through stages  and  phases; happiness is followed by sadness and then relief or joy, ones’ faith is strong and unconquerable, and seemingly, for no reason it plummets, next, by the will of God it slowly rises again.Periods of great fitness and health are followedby injury or, sickness, but with each twinge of pain or suffering a true believer feels some of his sins fall away.“Whenever a Muslim is afflicted by harm, God will expiate his sins, like leaves drop from a tree.”(Bukhari and Muslim)Islam teaches us tobe concerned, about the whole person.Following the guidance and commandments of God allows us to face illness and injury with patience.Complaining and bemoaning our situation will achieve nothing but more pain and suffering.Our bodies and minds havebeen given to us as a trust, and we are responsible for them.The guidance of God covers every aspect of life and there are specific ways of dealing with health issues, which we will begin to explore in the next article.