Sheikh `Abd al-Rahmân al-Barrâk
Allah says: “O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer. Eat and drink, but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters.” [
Sûrah al-A`râf: 31]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Strive for what benefits you and seek Allah’s help.” [
Sahîh Muslim (2664)]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Seek medical treatment, O servants of Allah, but do not seek medical treatment in what is unlawful.” [
Sunan Abî Dâwûd (3874)]
Health is one of Allah’s blessings that we must be thankful for and that we must use in His obedience. If a person takes care of his health – by being careful about what he eats, by avoiding things that cause illness, by taking precautions, and seeking medical treatment when sick – with the intention that he will be better able to carry out acts of obedience to Allah and perform his religious duties, then he will be worthy of reward from Allah for the concern that he shows for his health.
If, on the other hand, he takes extra good care of his health simply to enjoy being healthy and better partake of the lawful pleasures of life, then this will be something good for him as well. It is, in fact, his enjoying what Allah has permitted for him.
At the same time, a person should not become obsessive in his concern for his health, by restricting himself to only specific kinds of specialty food and by going to life-hindering excesses in trying to avoid illness. Such an approach leads only to fear and anxiety and the conjuring up of imaginary dangers.
Moderation is the best approach. A Muslims should not expose himself to what is detrimental to his health. The worst that he can do is to indulge in the unhealthy things that Allah has prohibited him. In fact, a Muslim should not even seek a cure in what is unlawful, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah did not place the healing of my people in what He has prohibited for them.” [
Sahîh al-Bukhârî (
mu`allaq narration authenticated by Ibn Hajar)]
One aspect of the soundness of a Muslim’s faith is his placing his full reliance upon Allah in attaining what is good for him and in avoiding what is harmful, and in achieving the good of this world and the next. A Muslim, while relying upon Allah, still takes recourse to all permitted ways and means of achieving his objectives. However, he does not place his faith in those means. He upholds the belief that the matter is always in Allah’s hands. There is no one who can hold back what Allah gives or who can give what Allah holds back. However, a believer makes use of Allah’s blessings in his obedience to Allah. He takes advantage of the permissible means that Allah provides for him to maintain his health and keep up his strength.
Allah says: “O you who believe, eat of the things good and pure that We have provided for you and give thanks to Allah if it is Him whom you worship.” [
Sûrah al-Baqarah: 172]
Allah says: “O Messengers, eat of the things good and pure, and perform works of righteousness. Indeed I know well all that you do.” [
Sûrah al-Mu’minûn: 51]
- Sheikh `Abd al-Rahmân al-Barrâk
Source: Islamtoday.com
