Healing and Treatment from the Prophet (SAW)

We often hear that our family members, colleagues, or friends have many kinds of illnesses although they are still young. Not only just back or neck pain, but headaches, stomachaches, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer. If they have medical insurance or an enough cash, they can find good doctors, medications, or alternative medicines to cure their illnesses. However, as Muslims, too many of us put aside treatment from the Prophet (SAW) on the grounds that the disease will not be healed, if we are not sure that it can be cured, or because of the long healing process when following this natural treatment.

In this era, people often desire to obtain things easily or without much effort, such as becoming rich, attaining success, and recovering from illness quickly. It is similar in terms of food: almost everyone wants to eat food that is the tastiest selection, quickly served, and most practical to make. As a result, we eat a lot of unhealthy foods which can ultimately create various diseases without us knowing.

Allah (SWT) says in Surah Yunus: 57:

O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.

Healing from the Prophet (SAW) is not limited to spiritual care, but there is a balance between the physical and spiritual treatments. Natural remedies are available around us, remedies like water, dates, honey, lemon, and cumin. All of these can be used as medicine as long as we apply them properly and in the right dosage.

In his book At-Tib an-Nabawee (Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet), Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziah mentioned that healing with the guidance from the Prophet (SAW) is to strengthen the heart and to increase reliance on Allah (SWT). Always seek refuge in Him, remain humble, gentle in nature before Allah (SWT), supplicate Him, multiply alms, and pray for His forgiveness.

Too many people seem to have forgotten that the most effective treatment for the attacks against the heart and the soul of a man is to experience the pleasure and happiness of being closer to the Creator. Love Him, remember Him, dedicate ourselves completely, depend upon Him and simply ask for help.

There are some hadith in Sahih Muslim that record that the Prophet (SAW) said:

Every illness has a cure, and when the proper cure is applied to the disease, it ends it, Allah willing.

It is also mentioned in another authentic hadith that the Prophet (SAW) said:

Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has also sent down its cure.

Imam Ahmad said that Osama bin Shuraik said:

I was with the Prophet (SAW) when the Bedouins came to him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, should we seek medicine?” He said, “Yes, O slaves of Allah, seek medicine, for Allah has not created a disease except that He has also created its cure, except for one illness.” They said,”And what’s that? “He said “Old age.”

Therefore, when we get sick, we should always remember the words of the Prophet and that all is curable. When the sick have faith that the disease is curable, it can be a driving force of his/her life, giving hope for a cure, and promoting positive thinking. Positive thinking will produce positive energy, and physical/mental health. These forces will, according to Ibn Al-Qayyim, strengthen the sick body, and will easily cure the illness. In Shaa Allah.

Edited by: Janette Grant

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