Health : One of the greatest blessings from Allah

“Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): “If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”” (Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:31)

From an Islamic perspective health is viewed as one of the greatest blessings that Allah has bestowed on mankind. It should be noted that the greatest blessing after belief is health, as narrated in the following Hadith:

The final messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mounted the pulpit, then wept and said, “Ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness and health, for after being granted certainty, one is given nothing better than health.” (Related in Tirmidhi)

A’isha (RA) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: “Ten are the acts according to fitrah: clipping the moustache, letting the beard grow, using the tooth-stick, snuffing water in the nose, cutting the nails, washing the finger joints, plucking the hair under the armpits, shaving the pubic hair and cleaning one’s private parts with water.” The narrator said: “I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been rinsing the mouth.”” (Sahih Muslim, Book #002, Hadith #0502)

Health is indeed a favour that we take for granted. We should express gratitude to Allah for bestowing us with health, and we should try our upmost to look after it. Allah has entrusted us with our bodies for a predestined period of time. He will hold us to account on how we looked after and utilised our bodies and good health.

It has been narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“No one will be allowed to move from his position on the Day of Judgement until he has been asked how he spent his life, how he used his knowledge, how he earned and spent his money and in what pursuits he used his health.” (Related in Tirmidhi)

The preservation of this blessing can only be achieved through taking good care of one’s health and taking every measure to maintain and enhance it. With this in mind every Muslim should make sure they undertake all necessary actions which are conducive to the preservation of good health. Healthy living is part and parcel of Islam, introduced with the inception of Islam more than 14 centuries ago. Furthermore, the Quran and the Sunnah outline the teachings that show every Muslim how to protect his health and live life in a state of purity. Numerous examples in Islam instruct its followers to live a healthy life, a selection are summarised below.

Daily prayer

Any health benefits derived from prayer or any other worship (fasting) are secondary in importance. The Salah or Islamic prayer comprises both physical movement and mental concentration. Performed five times a day at specific times of the day, the obligatory prayers provide a good means for the circulation of blood, breathing and general suppleness of joints. Though it is not physically over demanding, we know that anything done moderately and consistently is far better than sudden over-exertion at infrequent periods.

Ablution before Prayer & Ghusl

Before a Muslim performs their prayers, they must perform the ablution which comprises thorough washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms (up to the elbow) and the feet (up to the ankle). This ritual of self-purification when carried out five-times a day, leaves the worshiper clean, refreshed and ready to face his creator. Muslims are also required to clean themselves with water after urinating or defecating. Another act of worship which also helps to maintain good health is taking a shower, or ghusl. This is compulsory when one is in the state of ritual impurity, and is compulsory at least once a week before attending the weekly Friday prayer.

Diet & Nutrition

Various verses and texts within Islam promote the eating of healthy wholesome food and eating in moderation. Allah clearly states in the Quran:

“O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you,…” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:172)

“O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, Lawful and good;…” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:168)

A healthy nutritious diet must also be balanced, in order to maintain the balance that Allah has established in all things, this is addressed in the Quran when Allah says:

“And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice), In order that ye may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance.” (Surah Al Rahman 55:7-9)

As we know, eating excessively causes harm to our systems. Many aliments are related to uncontrolled eating habits such as, diabetes, vascular diseases, stroke, heart attack etc. It has been said that the ‘stomach is the home of ill health’ and is usually responsible in some way to ill health. Islam teaches us to eat moderately:

“(Saying): “Eat of the good things We have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess therein,…” (Surah TA HA 20:81)

Over indulgence and wasting of food are further dissuaded in the Hadith of the of the Messenger of Allah:

“No man fills a vessel worse than his stomach. A few mouthfuls that would suffice to keep his back upright are enough for a man. But if he must eat more, than he should fill one third (of his stomach) with food, one third with drink and leave one third for easy breathing.” (Ibn Majah & Ahmad)

Fasting

Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn till dusk, is undertaken to seek the pleasure of Allah and to practise self control and restraint in all aspects of living, with the idea being to continue this state of Allah consciousness and piety after Ramadan is over. It is an ideal time to remove the impurities and shortcomings in ones life.

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint (God consciousness),-” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:183)

Fasting in Islam is not like crash dieting, it is adequate in calorie intake and involves no malnutrition. All foods are permissible to eat in moderation, once the fast is over. Many processed foods we eat contain chemicals which over-time can be stored by our bodies as toxins within cells. Fasting can assist our body to purge these toxins while also allowing our body and digestive system to rest. Research has indicated that fasting can lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol, suggesting it may be advisable for moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension.

Prohibition of Intoxicants

Islam strictly forbids indulgence in intoxicants such as alcohol and drugs for good reason. The limited pleasure of such vices causes immense long-term damage to both mind, body and the social fabric of society. Particular schools of thought include smoking within the list of prohibitions because of its harmful affects on the body. It seems that if Muslims adhere to the teachings of Islam, they would automatically lead a healthier lifestyle. Allah says in the Quran:

“O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.” (Surah Al Ma’idah 5:90)