Shazia Gul and Dr. Bilal A. Bhat
The life of this world is not stable as every person goes through stages and phases; happiness is followed by sadness and then relief or joy. Periods of great fitness and health are followed by injury or, sickness, but with each twinge of pain or suffering a true believer feels some of his sins fall away. 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 have been given to us as a trust, and we are responsible for them. 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. 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. 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. 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 to those 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, (PBUH), that certain verses and chapters by God’s will could bring about healing from disease and distress. If faith is strong and unwavering, the effect of spiritual remedies may be fast and efficient. From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 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”. The Prophet said: “There is no disease that God Almighty has created, except that He also has created its treatment.” 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.” 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. The tenets of Islam are derived from the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, known as the Sunnah, these two sources of revelation are a guide, or a manual for life. The traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teach us to cherish good health and realise its true value as one of God’s countless bounties. “And when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you give thanks, I will give you more; but if you are thankless, verily! My punishment is severe.”(Quran 14:7) Islam’s holistic approach to health includes treating our bodies with respect and nourishing them with, not only faith, but also with lawful, nutritious food. A major part of living life according to the Creator’s instructions is implementing a suitable diet. Choosing wholesome food and avoiding the unwholesome is essential to good health. God says in the Quran, “… Eat of the good things which We have provided for you.”(Quran 2:172) “Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth.”(Quran 2:168) The Quran contains many verses of advice about healthy eating that relate to the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual health. Encouragement to eat only good and pure food is often combined with warnings to remember God and avoid Satan. Healthy eating not only satisfies hunger but also has an effect on how well we worship. “O mankind, eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (Quran 2:168) If one becomes obsessed with food or indulges in too much unwholesome or junk food he or she may become physically weak or distracted from his primary purpose of serving God.
Make sure children have all their vaccinations in order to protect them against illnesses like measles and the flu. This helps keep everyone out of the doctor’s office or hospital where they could be around other germs, including COVID-19. Thus, kids may have a harder time getting better if they do get COVID-19.
We must take care of spiritual, emotional and physical health. Our bodies, the most complex of machines, are given to us by God as a trust so we should maintain them in good order. Islam lays emphasis on a simple diet combined with physical exercise. Fulfilling the obligations of three of the five pillars of Islam requires that Muslims be of sound health and fitness. Muslims have contributed a lot in the medical field, produced great physicians like al Razi and Ibn Sina. Our healthy body is a gift from Allah. We are the trustees. We should not misuse it, nor provide wrong raw products for the factory and we should keep superb maintenance of this delicate and sensitive machine, in order to enjoy it. It is the container of our soul. In the current deadly disease COVID-19, we should follow religious as well as health guideline to protect ourselves and society. The quality of health care is expected to improve because of COVID-19 threat as people are now more health cautious. What Is Coronavirus (COVID-19)? At the end of 2019, a new type of coronavirus began making people sick with flu-like symptoms. The illness is called coronavirus disease-19, in short COVID-19. On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern external icon” (PHEIC). On January 31, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19. On March 11, WHO publicly external icon characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. On March 13, the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency external icon. Corona viruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal corona viruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a beta corona virus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three of these viruses have their origins in bats. The virus spreads easily and has now affected thousands of people in many countries of the world. There are 21.2 million confirmed cases of corona virus in the world in which 13.3 million have recovered and 765 thousand have died.USA has highest number of cases with 170 thousand deaths. India is on the 3rd number with 2.53 million confirmed cases,1.81 million recoveries and 49,036 deaths.Total samples tested upto mid august were 2,85,63,095. In J and K there are 27,489 confirmed cases in which 19,942 have recovered and there are 520 deaths. The common signs and symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are fever, cough, sore throat and trouble breathing. Symptoms are a bit like those people have with a cold or the flu. The virus can be more serious in some people, and may lead to illnesses like pneumonia. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) generally can Spread among people and People can catch coronavirus from others who have the virus. This happens when an infected person sneezes or coughs, sending tiny droplets into the air. These can land in the nose, mouth, or eyes of someone nearby, or be breathed in. People can also get infected if they touch an infected droplet on a surface and then touch their own nose, mouth, or eyes. Researchers are looking at whether the virus can spread through stool (poop). It is also researched whether Coronavirus (COVID-19) is Dangerous to Children or not as experts are still learning about COVID-19. There are far fewer cases of the virus reported in children and most of them caught the infection from someone they lived with or a family member. The virus seems to usually cause a milder infection in children than in adults or older people. It is important; we contact a doctor immediately, if child or someone in your family has a fever, cough, or other flu-like symptoms. Tell the doctor if they have been near someone with COVID-19 or lived in or traveled to an area where lots of people have the coronavirus. Make sure children have all their vaccinations in order to protect them against illnesses like measles and the flu. This helps keep everyone out of the doctor’s office or hospital where they could be around other germs, including COVID-19. Thus, kids may have a harder time getting better if they do get COVID-19. Most people with COVID-19, including children, do not have serious problems. They usually get better with rest and fluids. But it is important to keep kids with COVID-19 away from others who may have a harder time with the virus. People who are very ill get care in a hospital with breathing help, fluids, and other treatments. We can reduce the chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking precautions and guidelines given by WHO as (a) Clean your hands regularly and thoroughly with an alcohol based handwash, soap, and water (b) It should be ensured that you and people around you should follow good respiratory hygiene. Wear mask covering nose and mouth (c) Social distancing: maintain at least 1 metre (3feet) distance between yourself and others (d) Avoid going to the crowded places where you may come in close contact with someone that is COVID-19 positive (e) Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth as hands might have been in contact with surfaces where virus may be present (f) Stay home and self isolate even if there are mild symptoms of cough, fever, headache (g) If you have fever, cough and difficult breathing seek medical attention.
( The authors exclusively write for Kashmir Horizon. Views are their own) [email protected]