THE STATUS OF SICKNESS IN ISLAM

 

Islam has covered every nook and corner of human life. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure Progeny had expressed their thoughts about it.

Sickness is called “Maraz” which was used 24 times in the Glorious Qur’an. It includes the physical and spiritual sickness. Without going into the complex causes of different sickness, we may review it in the light of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)’s sayings. In Surah al-Shu’ara Ayah 80, Allah quotes Prophet Ibrahim, “And whenever I am sick, then He heals me.”

Primordial Prevention: The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Eat while you have the appetite, and refrain from eating while you still have the appetite.”

Primary Prevention: Surah al-Baqarah Ayah195 says, “Do not lay cast yourself into destruction.” Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “The stomach is the house of maladies, and denial is the principal medicine, and there is no well-being in greed.” Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) said, “And the peak of denial is to treat the body gently and with friendliness.”

Secondary Prevention: Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “One of the Prophets (once) got ill, whereupon he said; I shall not cure myself until He Who made me sick treats me Himself. The Almighty Allah revealed unto him: I will not cure you, until you treat yourself, for surely ‘cure’ comes from Me.” (Bihar ul Anwar v.59 pg. 66)

 Islam does not encourage one to immediately seek medicine for illnesses that take time to disappear. Instead, one is advised to take natural foods that have a medicinal effect on body.

Traditions showing how sickness could be advantageous to the believing souls: The Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Indeed a person may have a station near Allah which he could not attained only by his actions, (and thus) he would be afflicted by an ailment in his body by which he would attain that station.” Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “When Allah afflicts someone with a calamity, He reduces his sins in accordance with his calamity.” Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) said, “Sickness is purification and mercy for the believer and a punishment and curse for the disbeliever. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “A night’s headache removes all of one’s sins, save the major ones.”

 Sadaqah is a powerful means of curing a sick. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Treat your sick by giving Sadaqah.” He also said, “Remembering us the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is a cure from illness and diseases as well as from insinuation of doubt.”

The principal cause of many of the physical illnesses stem from spiritual illnesses, either from ourselves or others. An example of the first is when a person has no sense of temperance and allows his faculty of desire to prevail over his faculty of intellect, and engages in overindulgence in eating, copulation etc. Such lifestyle would be replete with illnesses. Sometimes, you are invited to a friend’s house and served with delicious food, but because you friend did not observe some religious or hygienic precautions while cooking, you became ill.

Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) supplicates in “Sahifa-e-Sajjadia” in 29 couplets saying, “Praise be to Allah for good health enabling me to do good deeds and for ailments in my body to test me. I do not know which deserves more thanks. Sickness purifies and decreases the burden of sins.”

Sources: Daily Supplications in the moth of Ramazan by Abu Muhammad Zaynul Abidin

                Sahifa-e-Sajjadia, A Book of Supplications of the Infallible Imam Ali ibnal Husayn (a.s.)

THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.)'S SERMON ON THE ADVENT OF RAMADHAN

 

Following is the English translation of the Sermon of the Messenger of Allah before the commencement of the Holy month of Ramadhan:

“O People! The month (Ramadhan) of Allah has come with His mercies, blessings, and forgiveness. Allah has decreed this month the best of all months. Its days are best among the days, its nights are the best among the nights and its hours are the best among the hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him (to fast and to pray). Allah has honored you in it. In it every breath you take is (has the reward of) ‘Tasbih’ (the praise of Allah), your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted, and your invocations answered. Therefore, you must invoke your Lord in right earnest with your hearts that are free from sin and evil. And pray that Allah may help you to keep fasts and recite the Glorious Qur’an. Indeed! Miserable is the one who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this great month. While fasting, remember the hunger and thirst on the Day of Judgement. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue towards unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard. Be kind to orphans so that if your children become orphans, they also will be treated with kindness. Do repent to Allah for your sins and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times, during which Almighty Allah looks at His servants with mercy. (He) Answers if they supplicate, Responds if they call, Grants if they ask, and Accepts if they entreat. O People! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires. Make it free, by invoking Him for forgiveness. Your back is breaking under the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Him for long intervals and make it lighter. Do understand fully well that Allah has promised in the name of His Majesty and Honor that He will not take to task such people who perform Salaat and Sajda (prostration), and that He will guard their bodies against the Fire of Hell on the Day of Judgment People! If anyone amongst you arranges for the Iftar (food for ending fast at sunset) of any believers, then Allah will give him the reward as if he had set free a slave, and He will forgive his previous sins. Keep yourself away from the fire of hell, though it may consist of half a date or even some water if you have nothing else. O People! Anybody in this month cultivates good manners, will walk over the Sirat (bridge leading to Paradise) on the day when feet will tend to slip. Anybody who in this month may take light work from his servants, Allah will make easy his accounting, and anybody who does not annoy others in it, Allah will keep him safe from His Wrath on the Day of Judgement. Anybody who respects and treats an orphan with kindness in it, Allah shall look at him with kindness on that Day. Anybody who treats his kinsmen in it, Allah will bestow His Mercy on him on the Day of Judgement, while anyone maltreats his kinsmen in it, Allah will keep him away from His Mercy. Whoever offers recommended prayers in it, Allah will save him from hell, and whoever offers obligatory in it, his rewards will be that of seventy such obligatory that were observed in other months. Whoever recites repeatedly blessings (Salawat) on me in it, Allah will keep the scales of his good deeds heavy (on Judgement Day) whilst the scales of others will be tending to lightness. Whoever recites in this month an Ayah (verse) of the Holy Qur’an, his reward will be that of reciting the whole Qur’an in other months. O People! The gates of Paradise remain open in this month. Do pray to your Lord that they may not be closed for you. While the gates of hell are closed, do pray to your Lord they may never be opened for you. Satans have been hand-cuffed; invoke our Lord, not to let them dominate you.”

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is the best of the deeds in this month?” He (s.a.w.a.s.) replied, “The best of the deeds in this month is to be far from what Allah has forbidden.”

PROPHET SALEH (A.S.)

 

Prophet Saleh was the great grandson of Prophet Noah (a.s.) – fifth generation. He was born 2,973 after the fall of Prophet Adam (a.s.). He was of high stature, broad shouldered, black haired and rosy cheeks. He preached most of the time and was known pious in his youth. He was appointed a Prophet at the young age of 16 years. He lived for 280 years and when died he was buried between Rukn and Maqam of the Holy House of Ka’abah.

It was reported by the Infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) that Archangel Gabriel told the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) that Prophet Saleh (a.s.) offered two proposals to the idol worshipers” If you desire anything, ask me so that I will ask my God to fulfil your desire. Or if you wish I will ask your Gods to fulfil a desire. If they fulfilled my desire, I would depart from among you.” They said, “O Saleh! You are fair.” They left the city with their idols on their backs. When they were free from their eating and drinking, they said: O Saleh! Ask whatever you wish.” Saleh called by name every idol, but they did not reply. Ultimately Saleh ask them to ask him, and God will answer their request. Their chiefs said, “O Saleh!  We ask you something and if your Lord answers, we will follow you. “They all went to the nearby mountain and the Chiefs said, “Ask your Lord to bring out from this mountain, a red, pure and pregnant she-camel right now.” At that moment, the mountain cleaved, and a horrible sound was heard, and the head of a she-camel and other parts also emerged, and the camel stood on her four feet. They asked for young one of the camel which was also brought forward. They returned to their people and described the miracle to them. A heated argument among the chiefs followed. Saleh said, “This is the she-camel; she will have portion of water, and you have portion of water on appointed time.” (26:155) One of the chiefs slaughtered the she-camel. The young one the she-camel came to Prophet Saleh and cried three times “O Saleh! Where is my mother?” and disappeared. Saleh said, “Enjoy yourself in your abode for three, that is a promise not to be belied.” (11:65) And eventually a torment descended: “Then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode.” (7:77)

There are seventy Ayahs in the Glorious Qur’an regarding Prophet Saleh and his people known as “the community of Thamud” as detailed below:

Surah al-A’raf    7              Surah al-Hud      8              Surah al-Hijr       5              Surah al-Isra’      1              Surah al-Shu’ra      18

Surah al-Namal 9              Surah Ankabut  1              Surah Fussilat    2              Surah Dhariyat  3              Surah al-Qamar       9

Surah Huqqah   2              Surah al-Shams 5

There are other narrations regarding Prophet Saleh and his people called Thamud. There is a common tradition quoted by Shia and Sunni scholars which states the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) asked the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.), “O Ali! Who are most evil among the ancient people? Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “The killer of Saleh’s she-camels. “The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) asked, “Who is the most evil of the people of the later age?” When Imam Ali (a.s.) did not reply, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) replied,” It is the person who will strike your head.”

Sources: Hayat al-Qulub vol. 1 by Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.)

                Ethics of Prophets by Mohammad Mehdi Taj Langaroodi, Tafsir-e-Mauzui by Ayatullah Ja’far Subhani

PROPHET HUD (A.S.)

 

Prophet Hud has been mentioned at seven places in the Glorious Qur’an and there is a complete Surah named after him. According to ibn Babawayh, the reason for naming him “Hud’ was because he was ‘guided one’ among his people. He was sent to a tribe called “Ad” The Ad people used to be tall and strong and inhabited in the area between Oman and Hadramout overlooking the Red Sea. Prophet Hud (a.s.) was the son of Shalah, son of Arfkhshath, son of Sam, son of Noah (a.s.). He was born 2,648 years after Prophet Adam (a.s.). He was farmer by trade. He was appointed a Prophet at the age of forty years. His community of A’d was idol worshipers. Allah says, “And to Ad (We sent) their brother Hud.” He said: O my people! Serve Allah, you have no god other than Him. The chiefs of those who disbelieved among them said: Most surely, we see you in folly and most surely, we think you to be of the liars. He said: O my people! There is no folly in me, but I am an apostle of the Lord of the worlds. I deliver to you the messages of my Lord and I am a faithful advisor to you.”

The people did not like his advice and attacked him, trying to strangle him, and left him as a dead person. He was unconscious for a day and night. When revived he said: “O my Lord! I did my duty and you saw what my people did to me.” (7:65-68) He said:” O my Lord! Help me against their calling me a liar. He said: In a little while they will certainly be repenting. So, the punishment overtook them in justice, and We made them as rubbish, so away with unjust people” (23:39-41)

Once some farmers came to supplicate Prophet Hud for rain and met his wife, who was one-eyed lady with grey hair. When she heard about their request, she said, “Had Hud’s supplications been heeded, he would have supplicated for himself, for his own farm had been drought burned.” He prayed and supplicated for them saying to them: “Go back, for rain had already fallen and your land had already become green. My wife is my enemy. Having an enemy over whom I have control is better than facing one who controls me!” He was good tempered person enjoying much endurance.

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) had said, “Winds are of five types, one of them is ‘Aqeem’ and we seek the refuge of Almighty from its perils. “When the people of A’d surpassed the limits, Allah Almighty sent it as mentioned in surah al-Dhariyat Ayah 41 &42, “And in A’d when We unleashed upon them a barren wind (Aqeem). It left nothing that it came upon without making it like decayed bones.” The Prophet Hud and his followers were protected by Allah from the chastisement. They went to Makkah and settled there.

According to authentic narrations it was narrated by the famous Ali ibn Yaqteen that the Abbasid king Mansur ordered him to dig a well in a pious person’s house. The digging continued and Mansur died, and al-Mahdi became the king who persisted with the digging. The diggers found people turned into stones and their belongings. At last, a whiff of breeze came terrifying the diggers. Ultimately the king requested the Infallible Imam Musa al-Ka’zim (a.s.) for help, who said that those were the remains of the people of A’d.

Imam Ali (a.s.) was buried in the grave of Prophet Hud. After his death, Prophet Hud was transferred to a grave within the precincts of present-day Najaf al-Ashraf Mausoleum.

The story of Prophet Hud and his people A’d are mentioned in the following surahs: Ayahs:

7:65-71, 89:6-8, 26:128-134, 11:50-57, 23:33-34, 23:39-41, 32:13-16, 46:22-25, 54:19, 51:41-42

Sources: Hayat al-Qulub v.1 by Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (a.r.),

Ethics of Prophets by Allama Muhammad Mahdi Taj Langaroodi, Tafsir-e-Mauzui by Ayatullah Ja’far Subhani          

PROPHET NOAH (NOOH) (A.S.)

 

Prophet Noah is considered as the “second father” of mankind. He is mentioned 43 times in 28 Surahs of the Glorious Qur’an. All the Prophets preached Islam, monotheism. He was 950 years preaching Islam and the first to have the “Shari’at”. In response to his preaching, the people accused him of madness, lying, error and a human like them. Further, that poor and indigent were his followers. People of his time did not respond favorably and threatened to kill him. In response to their accusation, he replied that he was a Messenger from Allah to guide you for which he does not take any wages. He further said that he did not have any treasure from Allah. He had been given knowledge from Allah for their benefit

This had been the trend of Polytheists to accuse every Messenger of Allah with similar characteristics. Prophet Noah persuaded them to thank Allah for all His bounties. The people would not listen to his preaching and put fingers in their ears. Despite their misbehavior, he continued to preach and guide them, publicly and confided them secretly. They openly challenged Prophet Noah and said that he had exceedingly disputed with them and asked him to bring his threat to them. He advised the people to thank Allah and seek His forgiveness to continue His bounties and as per the Islamic traditions the spread of adultery is the cause of sudden death.

Allah ordered Prophet Noah to start making a huge wooden boat Surah al-Hud Ayah 37,39 and 40 “Build the ark before Our eyes and Our revelation and do not plead with Me for those who are wrongdoers: they shall indeed be drowned.” As he was building the ark, whenever the elders of his people passed by him, they would ridicule him. Soon you will know whom a disgraceful punishment will overtake and on whom a lasting punishment will descend. When Our edict came and the oven gushed, We said, “Carry in it pairs of every kind (of)animal along with your family (with his faithful followers. When appointed time arrived, Allah ordered the water to gush from oven and it rained constantly for days and submerged the dwellings. Water continued to rise, and Prophet Noah pleaded with his son to come aboard but he refused saying that he will climb the mountain. He reminded the son saying, “There is none today who can protect from Allah’s edict.” His son was drowned. Prophet Noah said, “My Lord, my son is indeed from my family.” Allah replied, “O Noah! Indeed, he is not from your family. Indeed, he is (personification of) unrighteous conduct. So do not ask Me (something) of which you have no knowledge”

When the boat was launched, He said, “Board it: In the Name of Allah, it shall set sail and cast anchor. “It sailed along with them among waves (rising) like mountains. The flood waters started to shrink, and his boat anchored on the mount of Judi and the people disembarked and human race restarted on earth.

It is reported that forty years before the Toofan-e-Noah, the women stopped becoming pregnant to avoid the loss of innocent lives.  

 

Sources: Tafseer-e-Namoonah by Ayatullah Nasir Makarem Shirazi

                Ethics of the Prophets by Mohammad Mehdi Taj Langaroodi

                Qur’an ka Da’imi Manshoor volume 11 and 12 by Aytuallah Ustad Ja’far Subhani