Good health and wellness are very important in human life. Good health and fitness are also necessary to properly observe the rules of Islam. Because without physical and mental strength, the mind does not sit even in worship. A weak and sick person is ineffective in meeting daily needs as well as in performing religious rituals and worship. According to Islamic Sharia, the majority of worship is physical. Only a person in good health can perform it accurately. However, there is an alternative system in Islam for physically weak people. Yet the rewards of implementing the basic forms of worship are immense; which is possible only for a healthy person.
The basic pillars of Islam are five. Three of them are physical namely Prayer (Salah), Fasting and Hajj. Apart from this, reciting the Holy Qur’an, participating in Jihad and earning by investing in physical labour or benefiting someone are all associated with physical ability and are also highly rewarding acts. None of these can be performed in the proper manner without physical ability.
It is mentioned in a Hadith, “A strong believer is more benevolent and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer. But there is goodness in both.” (Muslim)
In this regard, the beloved Prophet (PBUH) said, “The first question that will be asked of a servant on the Day of Resurrection is about his health. He will be asked did I not give you physical fitness?” (Tirmidhi)
We have a lot of ignorance about physical fitness. Apathy is increasing at an alarming rate among people of almost all ages and classes of society. In this regard, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)
warn warned us to evaluate the five blessings, before the five dangers come ed us to evaluate the five blessings, before the five dangers come
1. Appreciate youth before old age sets in.
2. Assess wellness, before illness strikes.
3. Value wealth, before poverty comes.
4. Assess leisure before busyness arrives.
5. Evaluate life before death (Mustadrak al Hakim).
Islam is a holistic way of life. Every twist, turn and alleyway of life are covered here. Appropriate guidelines are outlined. Since the importance of good health in this world is unquestionable, there are basic instructions in Islam about this.
It is narrated in the Hadith that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to Abdullah Ibn Amr (R.A.) about his continuous activities and told him, “You should pray for some time and sleep for some time. Observe the fast sometimes and also leave them 9the fast) at other times Don’t keep it in between. Because you have rights on your own body. Eyes have rights. The guest has rights and your wife has rights” (Bukhari)
In this Hadith, the emphasis is on health awareness as a whole by talking about the right of the body. From this it is understood, if the body is unclean, it must be cleaned. If there is a weakness, try to be strong. Eat healthy food. Drink enough water. Get enough sleep. In case of illness, treatment should be taken. Everything harmful to health should be avoided.
Neglect of health is also displeasing to Allah. Allah said, “Don’t put your life in danger.”
The Prophet said about the origin of the disease. He said, “O community of Muhajir! There are five such practices, I seek refuge in Allah that they may not be found among you. One of them is obscenity. When promiscuity breaks out among a nation, plagues and various incurable diseases will spread among them in epidemic proportions, which their ancestors never heard of.”
Environmental disbalance also causes diseases. When the environment is out of balance, people
face various problems including diseases. Environmental damage is not liked by Islam and has been termed as an act of sin. Allah says, ‘Disasters spread due to human actions on land and water. Allah wants them to taste the punishment of their deeds so that they turn back (from wrongdoing). (Qur’an – 30:41))
It is important to get treatment if you are sick. The Prophet himself used to receive treatment when he used to be sick. He encouraged people to seek treatment. He used to say, ‘O servants of Allah! Take treatment, because Almighty Allah has not created any disease for which He has not created an antidote. But there is one disease for which there is no cure, that is old age.’ (Abu Dawud)
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) also said, “Allah swt has given disease, He has also sent down the antidote for disease. Every disease has a cure. So you take treatment. But do not accept treatment with haram substances.” He added, “Allah the Exalted has not made cure for you with haram substances.” So it is proved by the Hadith that, in the eyes of Islam, taking treatment is compulsory.
Saad (RA) said, ‘Once I fell very ill. Then the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came to see me and placed his blessed hand on my chest. I felt its coolness in my heart. Then he said, you have a heart attack. You go to Hares Ibn Kalda of the tribe of Thaqif. He cures (this disease).’ (Abu Dawud)
The practice of the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet is very important to build a disease-free life. He said, “Reserve one-third of the stomach for food, one-third for drink and one-third for breathing.” (Ibn Majah) If you are used to eating moderate food, you can stay free from various diseases. May Allah swt bless the people of the world with good health. Aameen.
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