Seek treatment O! Slaves of Allah

18-10-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

What are Islamic beliefs regarding illness, medical treatment (when to seek help) or to whom they might go for an illness?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Illnesses are trials that Allah inflicts on His slaves. The slave is required to bear any trial that befalls him with patience. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, …}[2:177]. Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {…and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; …}[31:17]. Being patient does not mean giving up the causes of safety. Al-Tirmizi reported in his Sunan from Usama Ibn Shareek that he said: The Arab Bedouins said: 'O! Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) of Allah shall we seek treatment?' The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) replied: "Yes. O! Slaves of Allah seek treatment. Indeed Allah has not sent any illness without sending a cure for it except the decrepitude. " When inflicted by an illness, the Muslim should return first to Allah supplicating Him for cure. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me; }[26:80]. This does not contradict seeking material treatment although people differ regarding this issue. Some people prefer remaining patient on the illness seeking reward and this is good. But we believe that seeking remedy is better than leaving it. Seeking treatment becomes obligatory when the person fears the deterioration of one of his organs as preserving one's life is one of the five necessary things one must do. But, in all circumstances the Muslim should be patient and fore-bearing. Allah knows best.