The word ‘Islam’ means submission to the will of Almighty Allah and a Muslim is a person who submits to the will of Allah. In addition, Islam carries many meanings; one of them is peace that includes: inner peace (peace with oneself); peace with the creator, as well as peace with all creation. It is through the total submission to the will of Allah that one reaches this form of peace. Illness and disease may be regarded as a test from Allah but carries tidings of forgiveness and mercy. Therefore, a sick person should be stoical but may pray to Allah to reduce their suffering. Thus, the worldview of Muslim patients towards health and illness incorporates the notion of receiving illness and death with patience, meditation and prayers. Muslim patients understand that illness, suffering and dying are part of life and a test from Allah. 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.
Although physical and emotional health 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 Almighty Allah.
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 (SAW) spoke of the strong believer being better than a weak believer, in the eyes of Almighty Allah. The word strong here can mean strength in faith or in character, but it can equally mean health. Our bodies are a trust from Almighty Allah and we are accountable for how we look after our health. Although physical and emotional health 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 Almighty Allah. “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). May Almighty Allah give Shifa-i-Kamila to all the patients of the world (Aameeen).
