Handicaps are those members of a society who are
challenged or disadvantaged either physically or socially. Social handicaps are
the people who are poor or old. Physical disadvantage includes blind, lame,
sick or other deformations.
Being a handicap is a test. Surah Al-Mulk Ayah: “It is He Who has created death and life (destined them)
to put you to the test and see which of you is most virtuous in your deeds. He
is Majestic and All-Forgiving.” Physical disability is not important as
when a man dies, his material body disintegrates and becomes the part of the
soil from which he was created by Allah, but his soul or spirit remains in-tact
to give account to the Creator for his deeds on the Day of Resurrection. Hence
the health of his heart or soul is important. A handicap may have a pure and
pious soul while there may be people who have ugly souls but have perfect good
looking body. A normal good looking man may not thank Allah for the gifts Allah
has provided him like the gift of sight, hearing, health, faith, parents,
children etc. On the other hand, a handicap man may be thankful to Allah for
other gifts other than his disability!
All the Prophets and Imams had to deal with the people with
disability. Prophet Ie’sa had the miracles of curing blinds and treating lepers
like Prophet Ie’sa. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was also very kind to
every segment of the society specially the handicaps. Juwaybar was a poor man with some facial deformity. He was sent by
the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to a wealthy man of Madinah; Ziad bin Labid,
to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Ziad was surprised but his daughter
was a pious girl and asked his father to check with the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) who confirmed it saying that there is no discrimination in Islam.
The superiority is for the pious ones. She married that man.
Surah al-Abasa
Ayah 1 to 8 describes the story of an intimate companion-Abdullah ibne Maktoom,
who was poor and blind. One day
he came in the presence of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) while he was
preaching to the chieftains of Quraish. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)
received him with honor and pleasure and gave him the place closest to him. The
wealthy Quraish did not like the honor done to him and one of them frowned and
sat turning his back to him. This Surah was revealed commending the blind
companion and condemned the loathsome attitude of the companions. Some of the
commentators of the Glorious Qur’an tried to save the other companions and
tried to blame the Infallible Seal of the Prophets-Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.a.s.). How can the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) misbehave with a blind
companion when he was sent as “Rahmatan lil Aa’lameen”; Suarh Al-Anbiya Ayah 107: “(Muhammad), We have sent you for no other reason but to be a mercy for mankind.”
Allah called him a “good example” Surah
Al-Ahza’b Ayah 21: “The Messenger of Allah is certainly a good example for
those of you who have hope in Allah and the Day of Judgment and who remember Allah very often.”
Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) had attained great moral standard as stated in Surah Al-Qalam Ayah 4: “(Muhammad), You have
attained a great moral standard.” Whom Allah is saying to tell them if they
love Allah they should follow the prophet as mentioned in Surah Al-Imr’an Ayah 31: “(Muhammad), tell them, “If you love Allah, follow me. Allah will love you and
forgive your sins….” At one time the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) appointed
this blind companion as his deputy in Madinah while proceeding to an
expedition.
It is reported
that Prophet Ie’sa asked Allah (s.w.t.) as to who was the most thankful person at
that time. Archangel Jibra’eel descended and directed him to a lady in a remote
area. When Prophet Ie’sa went to that lady, he saw that the lady had no legs,
no hands and she was blind. Prophet Ie’sa asked her: “Tell me when you have no
limbs and you are blind and still you thank Allah (s.w.t.)?” She replied: “I
thank Allah (s.w.t.) that He did not give me sight as I do not see prohibited
things, I have no legs still I thank Allah (s.w.t.) that it prevents me from
going to prohibited places, and I thank Allah (s.w.t.) that by not having hands
I am prevented from touching prohibited things!”
Islam provides special concessions to the handicap persons. They
have been exempted from going to fight in a battle; Surah Al-Fath Ayah 17: “It is not an offense for the blind, the lame,
or the sick not to take part in the battle….”
Sources used:
Translation of Glorious Qur’an (Urdu) by Ayatollah Naser
Makarem Shirazi
Translation of Glorious Qur’an (English) by Ayatollah
Agha H.M.M.Pooya Yazdi
Anecdotes of Pious Men by Ayatollah Murtadha Mutahhari
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