The Islamic faith has always sought to enlighten Muslims on its benefits by urging the faithful to seek knowledge that can greatly improve all aspects of their lives

One of the most important fields in which Islam excels is the prevention of disease. This demonstrates Islam’s preoccupation with the well-being of humanity as a whole, as disease is an indiscriminate entity that targets all races and religions.

So what precautions and measures does Islam prescribe to prevent the occurrence and spread of disease? Through the perfection of divine revelation, Islam introduces a holistic approach to disease prevention that focuses on the well-being of the body, soul, and society as a whole.

Cleanliness is a Form of Worship

Islam emerged in the heart of the desert; nevertheless, it emphasized the importance of cleanliness.  It emerged at a time when Europe was awash with dirt and disease to the extent that some believed that dirt that clung to their bodies and clothes was a blessing that empowered them. Whilst Europeans bathed only once or twice a year, Islam highlighted the necessity of ritual bathing especially after sexual intercourse, the monthly period, during pilgrimage and, in many other cases.  It also recommended bathing on the two Islamic festivals and during Ihram[1]. Most Scholars also recommend bathing on Friday but there is no consensus as to whether it is obligatory.

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The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)[2] recommended in a hadith [3] that Muslims bathe on Fridays, use a siwak (natural toothbrush)[4]  to brush the teeth and perfume the body. He (SAWS) also specified the maximum time period that should lapse between baths, recommending that Muslims bathe fully every seven days.

Scholars’ categorized washing or bathing into seventeen separate groups, demonstrating the importance of cleanliness. Islam encouraged the regular cleaning of parts of the body where diseases can flourish and dirt and germs can build up.

In terms of oral hygiene, the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) once said he would have ordered his followers to use the siwak regularly before prayer time but did not want to impose undue hardship on the Muslim Ummah (nation). In another hadith, the companions of the Prophet (SAWS) related that they thought that the usage of the siwak was a Quranic revelation because the Prophet (SAWS) stressed repeatedly the importance of using it.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) called upon Muslims to purify all parts of the body where impurities such as sweat, dirt and microbes accumulate, This was clarified in a hadith highlighting the five acts which are natural for Muslims to perform, including circumcision, the shaving of pubic hair, the trimming of the mustache, depilating the hair of the armpits, and nail clipping. The fact that Islam encouraged such cleanliness, despite the harsh desert climate in which the faith emerged, illustrates how advanced the religion was for its time.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) also ordered Muslims to purify themselves after answering the call of nature. He emphasized the importance of doing so in a hadith in which he told his companions, while they were passing by two graves, that both the dead were being punished in the grave; one for not cleaning up after urination and the other for going around with malicious gossip.

The Importance of a Healthy Diet and Drink in Preventing Disease

The wise Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) urged Muslims to protect themselves from the effects of overeating and warned of the ill effects of indigestion. In a hadith, he stressed that there was nothing worse than bloating the stomach, stressing that a Muslim should just eat enough to maintain his body. If this was difficult, he indicated that ideally, one third of stomach should be for food, one third for drink, and one third (empty) for him to breathe (easily). He also commanded Muslims to maintain high standards of food hygiene by keeping food and drink containers and utensils covered.

Preventing Indecencies and Malign Matters in Society

Islam forbade all that is physiologically and psychologically harmful to man and  society as a whole. For example, Islam prohibits the use of all kinds of intoxicants and drugs. This is emphasized in a hadith in which the Prophet (SAWS) confirmed that every intoxicant had the same effects as alcohol and, given that alcohol is prohibited, all types of intoxicants are consequentially also forbidden.

The Prophet (SAWS) tried to prevent Muslims from suffering serious health problems caused by alcohol and drugs, protecting humanity from the harmful consequences of alcohol and drug abuse .

Islam also denounced adultery and sexual relationships outside the sanctity of marriage, protecting Muslims and society by preserving high standards of morality. It is important to note here  that sexually transmitted diseases are more  prevalent in  non-Muslim countries . The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) noted in a hadith that when indecent behavior spreads among certain people and becomes the norm, diseases that had never emerged at the time of their ancestors will spread among its people. It is well known that AIDS, Ebola and other deadly sexually transmitted diseases were unheard of before the prevalence of indecencies in societies.

Islam also prohibited the eating of dead meat due to the harmful side effects it causes, as proven by modern science.  On a visit to America  I found that Americans were  proud to point out that they did not eat  an animal if it had died before being slaughtered as it was considered harmful. Europeans, on the other hand, still eat dead meat on occasions which is  probably why Americans are so proud of their healthier approach.  I told the Americans how magnificent I believed Islam was, because it prohibited this practice more than 1400 years ago.

Because Islam is deeply preoccupied with the well-being of man, there is no doubt in my mind that cigarettes are also prohibited and that those who smoke are wronging their own bodies and souls.  Islam prevents all that is harmful to its followers, so it is natural to believe that smoking cannot be acceptable, given all its detrimental side effects. 

Return to Islam O Muslims!!

The Psychological Well Being of Man

Islam is not only concerned with the physical health of man but is also deeply preoccupied with his psychological well being  

 The remembrance of All
ah (AWJ)[5] “"Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction" (TMQ[6],13:28). will help a Muslim find peace in his heart as indicated in the Noble Qur’an

 Islam directs Muslims to be kind, merciful, well-mannered, and lenient. It also encourages its followers to choose their words wisely, to smile as a form of charity and to forgive the mistakes of others.  Islam glorifies acceptance of what Allah (AWJ )has destined for every Muslim and  if a Muslim is patient during times of affliction, paradise is the ultimate reward and  compensation.  No doubt this attitude leads to a healthy state of mind which elevates the spirit, instills peace in the heart, and boosts a Muslim’s ambition and sense of morality.

It is unquestionable that psychological diseases such as insomnia and depression are more widespread in Western countries than Muslim countries, where suicide rates are much higher.  This fact furthers our understanding of the value of the Islamic faith

"And thy Garments Keep Free from Stain!" (TMQ, 74:4).

 Islam is also concerned about the appearance of a Muslim.  A presentable appearance, including clean and neat clothes, befits a Muslim member of society,

One of the earliest ayahs[7] revealed on this subject in the Noble Qur’an  was, “And thy garments keep free from stain!" (TMQ, 74:4).  The beauty of Islam is illustrated by the fact that from the very early days of its existence it cared equally about  appearance as well as what lies inside a person. Islam associates the worship of one God, with human cleanness by saying: "And thy Lord do thou magnify! And thy garments keep free from stain" (TMQ, 74: 3-4). This ayah carries a literal meaning as well as a metaphorical meaning.  For example dirty clothes invalidate prayer like other impurities such as urine, blood or dirt.  Imam Ahmad Ibn-Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him indicated that if a Muslim prays wearing unclean clothes contaminated with urine or stools no matter how small the amount is, the prayer must be repeated.

Water is also considered unclean if it is contaminated with anything that changes its color, taste, or smell. All these measures aim to encourage Muslims to avoid all that is unclean.  A Muslim should not only take good care of his appearance and personal hygiene but should also care about the environment. This is an important issue which will be addressed in detail in a special article inshallah (God willing)

Preventing the Spread of Disease (Quarantine Measures)

As previously illustrated Islam pays a great deal of attention to protecting man from diseases as well as preventing the spread of disease.  It is very impressive to hear of the Prophet (SAWS) directions on how t
o curb the spread of the disease in society.  The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) recommended in a hadith that a sick person should not mingle with the healthy.

This advice is one of the simplest ways of preventing diseases and the most successful method used by Muslims more than 1400 years ago. Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) identified specific diseases which he knew could be contagious and gave explicit instructions on how to prevent their spread.  One such disease is Leprosy.  In  a specific hadith regarding this disease, the Prophet (SAWS)  stated that one should avoid communication with an infected person as though one were escaping from a lion. Therefore, he established specific rules of quarantine for serious epidemics.

In a hadith about preventing of the spread of plague, the Prophet (SAWS) advised people not to travel if disease was prevalent in their area and also not to travel to areas where there was a plague of some sort; this same conclusion was also reached by modern science.

 Purity of Life on Earth…Happiness in this World and the Next

In conclusion, Islam’s approach to the prevention of disease aims to guarantee the meticulous implementation of health rules by associating this with the aim of satisfying Allah (AWJ).  The objective is not only happiness in this life, (achieved if Allah wills) but the ultimate bliss in the hereafter.  For instance, concerning the importance of using the siwak and cleaning the mouth, Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) mentioned in a hadith that the siwak not only purifies the mouth but also satisfies the Lord.  Therefore using the siwak  not only maintains high standards of hygiene but also yields great reward for the believer.

On the subject of performing ablution and regular washing of the body, the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) narrated in a hadith that cleanliness is integral to faith.  He promised great reward to those who contribute to the prevention of the spread of disease, regarding them as martyrs for the sake of Allah.  The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) stated in a hadith that plagues are a form of  torture sent By Allah on those He chooses. Those that are afflicted with a plague and that remain patient and accept what Allah has destined for them are equally rewarded as martyrs are.

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