Class 9
FORGOTTEN SUNNAHS RELATED TO HEALTH
HEALTH
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"There are two blessings that many people are deceived into losing: health and free time." (Sahih Bukhari)
“Take [advantage of] your health before times of sickness, and [take advantage of] your life before your death” (Sahih Bukhari)
Islam has put a great emphasis over healthy life because Islam believes that a person should be fit in terms of physical & emotional health.
Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Be keen on what benefits you and seek help from Allah, and do not give up.” (Muslim).
The above hadith is indeed centrally talking on the strength of faith and character in a person; however, health and fitness are also equally recommended. This means that Muslims are obliged to take good care of their spiritual as well as physical health.
The importance of health can be seen in the hadeeths where the Prophet ﷺ said,
“Whosoever begins the day feeling family security and good health; and possessing provision for his day is as though he possesed the whole world." (At- Tirmidhi; Hasan)
'There is nothing wrong with being rich for one who has piety, but good health for one who has piety is better than riches, and being of good cheer is a blessing." (Ibn Majah, Sahih)
In many of his supplications, Prophet ﷺ would ask for good health. We list below two mentioned in Bukhari.
“O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the disappearance of Your blessing and from the loss of good health and Your sudden vengeance and all of Your anger.'" (Bukhari)
“O Allah, I ask You for pardon and good health in this world and the Next. O Allah, I ask You for good health in my deen and my family. Veil my faults and assuage my terror. Guard me before me, behind me, on my right and my left and above me. I seek refuge with You from unexpected destruction from beneath me.' (Bukhari)
Islam, is a complete way of life, stresses the importance of maintaining good health and offers the ways and the means to cope with ill health.
SLEEP
Early bedtime and early wake up time
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged his companions not to be involved in any activity after Isha prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said, “One should not sleep before the night prayer, nor have discussions after it” (Sahih Bukhari).
Additionally, Muslims are required to wake up for Fajr prayer, which is about one hour before sunrise. The Prophet did not sleep after Fajr prayer. The Prophet ﷺ would pray for the work done in early mornings to be blessed, He ﷺ said, “O Allah, bless my nation in their early morning.” (Tirmidhi, Sahih).
Many researches prove the benefits of sleeping early in the night and getting up early. Apart from health it is also reported by many that the most common practice of the rich and successful people of this world is to start early in the morning and ironically many say they start before sunrise which is like the time of Tahajjud, and we as Muslims have been reminded time and again about the blessings of getting up and starting your day from that time.
Sleep position
Some sleep positions are encouraged while others are discouraged based on the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. Thus, many Muslims sleep on their right side, particularly, in the initial part of sleep. Muhammad ﷺ said, “Whenever you go to bed, perform ablution like that for the prayer, and lie on your right side” (Sahih Muslim). In description of the sleep of the Prophet ﷺ, a Hadith states, “When the Prophet ﷺ wants to go to sleep, he puts his right hand under his cheek” (Sahih Muslim).
Modern scientific studies have suggested a beneficial effect of right lateral decubitus position on the heart. does not let the weight of stomach & intestine to suppress heart, hence blood circulation is not affected.
By sleeping on the right side, the heart remains in the topside, one will not have a deep sleep. A little noise can prepare someone to face any contingency. It also develops the habit of early morning rise.
Sitting & rubbing the eyes for a while after awaking adjusts the heartbeat according to the new posture hence it has positive impact on the heart.
Sleeping on the tummy is discouraged in the Islam, even for infants. The Prophet ﷺ told a man who was lying on his stomach, he said “Allāh and his Prophet dislike this position” (Sunan Al-Tirmdhi). Modern medical studies have concluded that infants who sleep in the prone position have a seven-fold increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This has led to “back to sleep” campaigns in Britain (1991) and in the United States (1994).
Napping after Lunch
The Prophet ﷺ would take a nap at midday, so that this rest would give him strength to pray qiyaam al-layl (voluntary prayers at night). He ﷺ would say: “Take a nap at midday, for the Shaytaan does not take a nap at midday.” (at-Tabaraani; classed as hasan by al-Albani).
Napping after lunch helps to prevent burden on coronary artery. According to cardiologist, having a nap after lunch produce positive effect on heart. It increases productivity at work as well.
EXERCISE
Though we do not find much in Quran about specific exercise recommendations, the Prophet’s life was full of it.
He advised all Muslims to teach their children swimming, archery and horse riding. He, himself used to walk at a fast pace even race with his wife, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).
Most importantly, he used to work with his hands whether at home, in the kitchen, or with his companions collecting wood for fire, fighting during wars etc.
It is a pity that Muslim men and women have become lazy and, because of the excessive consumption of starches, obesity has crept into them. We should keep ourselves fit to be able to strive in the way of Allah and feel healthy in peacetime.
CUPPING
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me: Upon you is cupping (Hijama), O Muhammad.”” (Ibn Maajah)
“Cupping treatment /Hijama is the most helpful procedure for human beings to cure themselves.”” (Bukhari & Muslim)
“If there is any good in your medical treatments, it is in the blade of the cupper, drinking honey.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Hijama helps in detoxifying the blood and stimulating the formation of new blood. We suffer from increased accumulation of toxins as we age that stem from poor diet and our lifestyle as well as pharmaceutical drugs resulting in different diseases. Some conditions in which Hijama was proven as an effective treatment are lower back pain, repetitive strain injury, sports injuries, poor circulation, varicose veins, emotional and psychological disorders like depression, stress and anxiety. Disorders of the bones, muscles, joints and nervous system, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel, neuralgia, migraine headaches, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain.
Hijama is a successful treatment for constipation, diarrhea, headache, backache, injuries, depression, skin problems, arthritis, weight loss and much more.
SIWAAK
There are many ahadeeth mentioning the importance and virtues of using the siwaak such as the hadeeth of Ibn Abbass that the Prophet ﷺ said : “I was ordered with the siwaak until I thought that something would be revealed in the Qur’aan in regards to it” (Musnad Ahmad); however the medical benefits are derived from the hadeeth where Aa’ishah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said “The siwaak is purifying for the mouth and pleasing to the Rabb” (An-Nasaa’ee; Shaykh Al-Albaani graded it saheeh)
When to use Siwak?
Before every salah
When entering the house
When getting up from sleep
When the taste or smell of the mouth changes
EATING & DRINKING
Eating Less – The Solution To Many Problems
Abu Juhayfah said:
“A man burped in the presence of the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ and he said: “Keep your burps away from us, for the one who eats his fill the most in this world will be hungry for the longest time on the Day of Resurrection.” (al-Tabaraani–Saheeh)
After hearing that Abu Juhayfah RA did not eat his fill until he departed from this world; if he ate breakfast he would not eat dinner and if he ate dinner he would not eat breakfast, and he said: “I have not filled my stomach for thirty years.”
Yet, we force our kids to eat, to finish their plate even if it is over filled or just simply stuff themselves until they are full. And we do the same ourselves. What we don’t realize is that, not only is this bad for health, and against the wise teachings of our beloved Prophet ﷺ, but it is this excessive eating that is keeping us away from the sincere and focused worship of Allaah that we are searching for…..that Khushoo’….that Sakeena, the peace that should be there in all our Ibadaat.
This is because eating one’s fill makes the body heavy, which leads to yawning and laziness in worship and work.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “A believer eats in one intestine, and a kafir (unbeliever) or a hypocrite eats in seven intestines.” (Bukhaari)
That means; a believer is satisfied with a little food, while an unbeliever or a hypocrite eats too much to satisfy himself.
The Prophet ﷺ also said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach..” (al-Tirmidhi –saheeh by al-Albaani)
Eating too much also makes the heart hard and heedless of Allaah. And that is why the Prophet ﷺ and his companions used to go hungry quite frequently, even in the presence of abundant food.
Some people argue that as long as what they are eating is Halaal, they can eat whatever they want, whenever they want and in whatever quantity they want. But Allaah condemns everyone who is extravagant, even in things that are permissible.
Umar (RA) said: By Allaah, if I wanted I could wear the finest clothes among you, and eat the best food, and have the most luxurious life. But I heard that Allaah will condemn people for some of their actions and said:
“You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Now this Day you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation, because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and because you used to rebel against Allaah’s Command (disobey Allaah)” [al-Ahqaaf 46:20]
Ibrahim ibn Adham said: “Any one who controls his stomach is in control of his deen, and anyone who controls his hunger is in control of good behavior. Disobedience towards Allah is nearest to a person who is satiated with a full stomach, and furthest away from a person who is hungry.”
The Ulama enumerate multiple benefits of eating in moderation. Eating less keeps the body healthy and light, keeps the heart soft, increases memory, weakens desires, and disciplines the soul while excessive eating brings about the opposite of these praiseworthy qualities..
The Sunnah portion size
The best and most perfect diet is to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. For, indeed, it is only his way that is the best and his guidance that is perfect.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “The Son of Adam will not fill a pot worse for himself than his stomach. It is enough for the Son of Adam to eat a few bites that strengthens his spine. If he likes to have more, then let him fill a third with food, a third with drink and leave a third for his breathing”. (Tirmidhi, Nisaa’i & Ahmad)
Using three fingers helps to eat less.
We discussed this in the class for Daily Life. Eating with three fingers and taking smaller morsels of food at once will help us eat lesser then we would end up eating if we use all five fingers and take bigger morsels.
Drinking
We will list all the Sunnahs related to drinking, some might not actually be Forgotten Sunnahs but it is worth to list them all here.
Drinking with the right hand. Note, It is NOT Sunnah to put your right hand below the glass and drink with your left, drink it with your right and then wash the glass.
To say Bismillah before you begin to drink.
Drinking in at least three sips or more and not drinking the entire drink at once.
To not breath into the glass
To praise Allah after finishing the drink
To drink sitting down. Scientific researches has also proven the health benefits of drinking water while sitting.
The person giving the drink to others should drink last.
The person passing out the drinks should start on his right hand side when distributing the drinks.
An individual should not drink from the pitcher, but instead pour some of the drink into a dish or cup, and then drink.
Should not drink from gold or silver dishes.
HEALTHY FOOD AND BENEFITS FROM SUNNAH
Olive
Allah says, “And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters.” (23:20)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Eat the olive and anoint (yourselves) with it, for indeed it is from a blessed tree.” (Tirmidhi, ibn Majah, Ahmed & Hakim).
Honey
Quran: “There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think. [16:69]
Hadeeth:
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Cure is in three (things): a drink of honey, a slash of the knife used in Hijaamah and branding (cauterizing) by fire. And I prohibit my nation from cauterizing.” (Sahih Bukhaari)
Henna
Umm Salma (May Allah be pleased with her) said: “Allah’s Messenger ﷺ , never suffered from a wound or a thorn without applying henna to it.” (Tirmidhi & Baihaqi; a hasan)
“Whenever somebody came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with complaints of headache, he directed him to undergo cupping and whosoever complained of pain in the legs, was advised to apply Henna.” (Abu Dawud; hasan)
Black Seeds
On the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said “Use the black seed, because it contains a cure for every type of ailment except death.” (Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and others)
The black seed can be used in various medical formulas to cure numerous ailments.
Vinegar
The Prophet ﷺ
“A household which has vinegar will never suffer from poverty”. (Tirmidhi & Baihaqi)
“Vinegar is a comfort for man” (Muslim).
“Allah has put blessing in vinegar, for truly it was used by the Prophets before me.” (Muslim & Ibn Majah).
Ajwa Dates
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“If Somebody takes seven ‘ajwa dates in the morning, neither magic nor poison will hurt him that day.” (Sahih Bukhari)
“Ajwa dates are from paradise.” (Tirmidhi; authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaani)
Referring to eating seven Ajwa dates, the Messenger ﷺ said, “He will not be harmed by anything until he reaches the evening.” (Sahih Muslim).
A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger ﷺ as saying: “The ‘ajwa’ dates of ‘Aliya’ contain heating effects and these are antidote in the early morning.” (Sahih Muslim)
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.
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
Implement any 5 of the Sunnahs covered in week 2. (10 Marks)
Talk about any 5 Sunnahs covered in this week’s classes with atleast 3 people. 10 Marks.
Inform a minimum of 15 friends/family about LEARN ISLAM (we have around 30 courses for adults and along with courses for children, all for free and certificates are also given) 5 Marks.
Pray for the Ummah at the Sunnah times mentioned in Class 4, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and pray that Allah make us all strong in imaan and give us the hidayah to work for the aakhirah and to help each other. Pray for this applying any three Sunnahs from class 4. - 5 Marks
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