Class 1
IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH IN ISLAM
Allah Almighty has blessed man with innumerable blessings. Hence, it is stated in the Quran: “If you count the favours of Allah, you will therefore not be able to count ˹them˺.”(Surah Ibrahim, 34)
We are incapable of truly thanking Allah Almighty for each of His innumerable bounties. Yet, despite this shortcoming, our Merciful and Compassionate Lord continues to favour us with His unbound generosity and kindness.
A question on the Day of Judgement
“Then, on that Day, you shall be asked about the delight [you indulged in, in this world” (Qur'an 102:8) That is, the delights of a full stomach, cool water, the shade of dwellings, an even-tempered nature and the joy of sleep. The delights referred to in the aayah are not limited to those mentioned in these interpretations, because the kinds of joy and delight are innumerable, food, health, sight, ability to heat, talk, family etc.
Some people do not realize the great blessings that Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon them. They do not appreciate the blessing of having, water to drink and food to eat, or the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them in their homes, spouses and children. They think that luxury means having palaces, gardens and fancy means of transportation.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "There are two blessings which many people do not appreciate: good health and free time." (Bukhari)
What this means is that they fail to appreciate these two blessings fully, and they do not fulfil the duties associated with them, and whoever does not fulfil the duties associated with a thing does not appreciate it fully.
The questioning about blessings and luxuries will be to question whether a person was grateful for the blessings that Allah bestowed upon him. And that these were used in the right way.
Virtue & Importance of Health in Islam
Believers in Islam must take care of their spiritual, emotional and physical health. Our bodies, the most complex of machines, are given to us by Allah as a trust. They should not be abused or neglected but maintained in good order. Islam lays emphasis on a simple diet combined with physical exercise.
Fulfilling the obligations of three of the five pillars of Islam requires that Muslims be of sound health and fitness. The daily performance of five prayers is in itself a form of exercise, its prescribed movements involve all the muscles and joints of the body, and concentration in prayer relieves mental stress.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to do that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah…” (Muslim 2664)
Also the Messenger ﷺ praised good health and even regarded it as more important than money. It was narrated from Mu’aadh ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Khubayb from his father that his paternal uncle said: “We were sitting in a gathering when the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ came, with traces of water on his head. One of us said, ‘We see that you appear to be in high spirits today.’ He ﷺ said, ‘Yes, praise be to Allaah.’ Then the people spoke about riches. He ﷺ said, ‘There is nothing wrong with riches for one who fears Allaah, but good health is better for one who fears Allaah than riches, and being in good spirits is a blessing.’” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 2141; Ahmad, 22076. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah, no. 1741)
This strength includes both physical strength and strength of faith. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And their prophet said to them, ‘Indeed, Allah has sent to you Saul as a king.’ They said, ‘How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?’ He said, ‘Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing’” [al-Baqarah 2:247].
“and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature” means: He has favoured him over you and given him more in terms of knowledge and stature; in other words, He has given him deep insight and physical strength by means of which he is qualified for his post as king, for if he has deep insight and the ability to implement the right decision, he will be able to fulfil this role in the best manner, but if he were lacking in either of these two qualities, he would not be able to do his job properly. If he were physically strong but lacked deep insight, then the king would be unsuccessful in running the kingdom’s affairs, because his strength would not be used in a wise manner. If he had deep insight but did not have the strength to implement any decisions he made, his insight would not benefit him because he would not be able to achieve anything. Tafseer as-Sa‘di, p. 107.
Having health and soundness helps a person to worship Allah by praying, fasting, performing Hajj, striving in His cause, and so on. Being physically weak and sick is an impediment in doing many acts of worship.
A true believer recognizes the wonder of the human body and is grateful to the Creator. This gratitude is shown in the care and attention given to maintaining optimum health. Islam’s holistic approach to health covers all aspects of the mind, body and soul. A truly health conscious person blends diet, nutrition and exercise with the remembrance of Allah and an intention to fulfill all their religious obligations.
The sick are excused from many civil and religious duties. A healthy individual, however, can use his strength to serve society. He can aid the oppressed and help the needy. Illness may distract a person from others’ needs, but health keeps us alert and active. Illness deprives us of consuming blessings, but a healthy person can enjoy those blessings. Someone who is ill cannot perform the worship of Allah Almighty like someone who is healthy. Allah Almighty has given you the blessing of health, so take advantage of it and refrain from committing sins and encourage others to do the same. Make virtuous deeds a lifestyle choice, a part of who you are, not irregular acts.
Health is the biggest blessing
We can easily say after Islam & Imaan, one of the biggest blessing is health, the ability to see, hear, touch, walk, work perfectly is a blessing from Allah, that we cannot thank Allah enough for.
Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Whosoever begins the day feeling family security and good health; and possessing provision for his day is as though he possessed the whole world."(Tirmidhi, classed as Hasan)
Ibn al-Qayyim said, "Since health is one of the most precious favours Allaah has given to His servants, the most generous of His gifts, and most plentiful of His bounties, nay more, absolute health is the most precious of all favours, without exception - it is fitting that whoever is granted a portion of this good fortune, to cherish, preserve and to guard it against harm. Bukhari has related in his Saheeh form the hadeeth of Ibn Abaas: Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time" ... (Zaad al-Ma'aad 4/196).
Good deeds while Healthy
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Make the most of five things before five others: life before death, health before sickness, free time before becoming busy, youth before old age, and wealth before poverty.” (Hakim, classed as Sahih by Albani).
In life, we may see an abundance in one domain but a lack in another. As we progress through life, the scales are constantly readjusting, in some ways in our favour, and in some ways against. In youth, we are busy planning for life and running after different obligations. Time never seems to be enough, but at this age, we are often blessed with health, strength, and optimism. As we progress into old age, our health may be deteriorating, but free time is a valuable blessing that we can always avail. There is always something we can take advantage of right here, right now.
In another hadeeth the Prophet ﷺ said, “Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions. ‘Then (giving a warning) he said, “Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter’.” (Tirmidhi)
And so if you are healthy and sound, do as much good as you can. Qadr Allah, if you fall to an illness still the angels will be instructed to write down your good deeds even if you are not able to perform.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “When a slave falls ill or travels, he gets a reward similar to that which he gets for the good deeds he usually performs when at home [not travelling] and in good health." (Bukhari)
Ibn Hajar said in Fat-h Al-Baari: “This applies to the one who is used to performing acts of obedience, but he was prevented from it, while his intention was to do it had he not been prevented.”
Everything harmful for health is prohibited
“All that is Good is Halal and all that is Bad is Haram. (Surah al Araf)
Also the Prophet ﷺ said, “Your body has a right over you. Your Lord has a right over you and your family too has a right over you.”
The importance of health in Islam can also be seen by its rulings. Everything that harms the health is declared to be prohibited in Islam. Pork and alcohol are prohibited and it is known that they ruin our bodies. Also prohibited are those things which intoxicates a person. These things harms the mental and physical health too damaging the spirituality of a person and taking him away from the remembrance of Allah. The ruling is very clear, “Anything that intoxicates you in large amount is prohibited even in small amount”. Let me remind that you cigarettes, tobacco are included to be in the list of prohibition based upon the above verse.
In the upcoming classes we will learn about
Healthy Sunnahs in day to day activities
Exercise & Physical activites
Strong & Healthy Children
Cleanliness & Hygiene
Duas & Shukr
TIPS FOR THE TEST
Do not have to memorise the ayahs or hadeeths word for word and their references, but remember their meanings and the msg being given.
Remember the rights of a Muslim.
Remember the virtues & importance of advising.
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
I. Invite atleast 10 people to the course (can invite via WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, telegram or word of mouth) 4 Marks. (check the note below for exceptions)
Note:
Those who have already invited whether on Whatsapp, Email or FB, do not need to invite again.
It does not matter, whether people join or not, our job is to invite.
II. Talk to 5 people (friends or family) about any three topics from the course - (5 Marks)
III. Pray for the Ummah, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and Maghfirah of the Muslims who passed away. Pray that Allah make us all strong in imaan and give us the hidayah to work for the aakhirah and to help each other. - 1 Mark
JOIN FOR FREE VIA
WHATSAPP | TELEGRAM | EMAIL
Pls read our FAQs to get the details and to know how we go about things if U have any further Qs pls feel free to ask...
FAQs: - https://learn-islam.org/faqs-short-courses
Happy Learning... JazakAllah Khair...
As Salam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh :)
SUPPORT LEARN ISLAM
If you benefit from courses by LEARN ISLAM and want to support us, please do so by buying the book FORGOTTEN SUNNAHS written by Abu Sahl Al Ansari (the founder and admin of LEARN ISLAM).
FORGOTTEN SUNNAHS : https://learn-islam.org/forgotten-sunnahs-book