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Health - Islam Guidance

  • Health and Wellness in Islam

    Being active and to exercise is not only acceptable in Islam but also recommended. Part of the instructions given by the Prophet and the Imams (A.S) about upbringing of children is the issue of physical exercise. Swimming, for example, has been greatly encouraged in our religious literature.
    It is a way of life which encompasses all aspects of human life: spiritual as well as physical, personal as well as communal, physical health as well as material wealth, and religious matters as well as political issues. In Islam, our body and health are considered as important gifts of Almighty Allah. Imam Ali (A.S) said: “Health is the best of blessings.” In another narration, he says, “One of the blessings [of God] is the abundance of wealth; however, better than abundance of wealth is the health of the body.” Imam Sadiq (A.S) said, “A believer who is physically strong is better than a weak believer.” It is in this sense that our body is considered to be the trust given to us by Allah. And we have to safeguard and protect this trust.

    Sleeping, Resting, and Avoiding Stress
    Almighty Allah has appointed the night as the time for resting and the day as the time for working. “He is the One who made for you the night so that you may rest in it, and the day with light; most surely in these are signs for the people who hear.” (10:67) so naturally, sleeping is very important.
    Avoiding stress: slow down; look at the present and enjoy it before you lose it. Give time for your family. Having a good family life will help you in dealing with stress. And, finally, be in touch with Allah, the Prophet, and Imams; read the Qur’an and the Du’as. This will greatly help in dealing with stress. “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah, the hearts are at ease.” (13:28). There are special supplications in Sahifa Sajjadia which can be quite helpful. And unlike stress counselors or psychiatrists, you don’t need to schedule an appointment or pay any fees – Allah is always available to listen to you free of charge!

    Ref: Islamic Insight

  • Health benefits of movement, washing and drinking water

     

    One of the forms of behavior noted in the Qur'an is concealed in a revelation vouchsafed to the Prophet Ayyub (A.S):
    Remember our servant Ayyub when he called on his Lord: "Satan has afflicted me with exhaustion and suffering." "Stamp your foot! Here is a cool bath and water to drink." (Qur'an, 38:41-42)
    One of the pieces of advice given to the Prophet Ayyub (A.S) by Allah in the face of the exhaustion and suffering inflicted by Satan is "stamping the foot." This expression in the verse may be indicating the benefits of movement or sport.
    During sport, blood flow is accelerated, particularly by the movement of long muscles such as those in the legs (isometric movements) and the level of oxygen reaching the cells increases. As a result, the individual's fatigue is eliminated and he or she is energized as toxic substances are expelled from the body (Prof. Fehmi Tuncel, Bilim Teknik Dergisi (Journal of Science and Technology), January 1993.). At the same time, the body acquires increased resistance to microbes. People who take regular exercise possess broad, clean arteries and this has the effect of preventing them from clogging and thus of preventing heart disease (Barbara A. Brehm, “Your Health and Fitness,” Fitness Management Magazine, 1990.). In addition, regular exercise plays a role in the prevention of diabetes by regularizing the blood sugar balance. The beneficial effects of sport on the liver raise the levels of good cholesterol (Kathleen Mullen, Some Benefits of Exercise (Medical Times C. Brown Publishers: 1986)).
    What is more, walking barefoot is a very effective method of releasing the static electricity accumulated by the body. It serves as a kind of earthling of the body.

    It is He Who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds.” (Qur’an, 16:10)
    As emphasized in the verse, washing is also known to be the most effective method of discharging the static electricity in the body. In addition to providing physical cleanliness, washing also reduces stress and tension. Washing therefore has a curative effect on many physical and psychological disorders, especially stress and fevers.
    In the verse, in addition to washing, drinking water is also recommended. The beneficial effects of water on all organs of the body cannot be ignored. The health of many organs-such as the sweat glands, the stomach, the intestines, the kidneys and the skin-is directly related to the presence of adequate amounts of water in the body. The treatment of all such disorders, as may arise in this field, is possible by means of providing extra water. The answer to fatigue, tiredness and drowsiness is again to increase the level of water in the body and thus to cleanse it of impurities.
    Implementing each of these recommendations, of vital importance to our physical and mental health, will bring about the ideal results. Each of these recommendations is also a manifestation of the verse: "We send down in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers…" (Qur'an, 17:82)

    Taken from: Miracles of the Quran

  • Health guidelines from Islam

    Sleep
    The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) recommended adequate sleep. He never deprived himself of sleep nor overslept.  He also advised and practiced  to sleep at the early part of the night, and to wake up early in the morning. Science research shows that going to bed early can help maintain a healthy weight, stay more productive, and avoid serious health problems (such as diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases).

    prayer
    Prayer is one of the five fundamental requirements that a Muslim is obligated to perform. According to a hadith (authentic narrations from the prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P)), the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) has reported to have said, “verily there is a cure in prayer”. There are some physical benefits in prayer, such as : In the beginning of the prayer, we move our hand and shoulder muscles therefore increasing the blood flow towards the torso. The heart in the most important organ in our body. Because it supplies fresh blood to all body tissues, the movements during prayer are a crucial source for exercise in our heart.  Certain positions makes our hips, elbows, knee and wrist joints, and backbone move in a way that forms a relation in our body.

    Ref: Health Fitness Revolution

  • Health in Islam – part 1

    Health 3

    Islam has adopted positively the principles of the general health to concentrate in the legislative fields. All of the precepts and laws of Islam yield the best fruits that preserve the physical health and guard against many diseases.


    Some Western physicians, after they had been acquainted with the Arab and Islamic medicine, accepted Islam. Dr. Georgeo Dar Blanto says, all of the Islamic precepts, rituals, and recommended practices have a good relation to health. They always intend to achieve two goals at the same time; religious and physical. Dr. Ronan confirms the same fact.


    Dr. Rondsandge says, The Islamic instructions represent health since they call to contentment and moderation in food and drink, cleaning, and washing with pure water five times a day before every ritual prayer. In addition, the ritual prayer is a set of physical activities. Islam has also decreed to confine those who are defected by infectious diseases. The Islamic sciences allot a great part of searches for the health conservation.

    Taken from: Aalulbayt Global Information Center

  • How to eat, to be Healthy

    You might have heard some people are depriving of health, although they have good facilities or enough budgets to have different type of foods however, they don’t enjoy life. On the other hand, there are some people who have ordinary foods but they are healthy and have long life.
    So, what is the secret of health?
    Some people think health comes by eating different foods contains proteins, fibers, vitamins… but the matter is how to eat not what to eat!
    Whatever you read in this article is from the valuable words of sinless Imams (A.S) that includes three important issues about eating habits:
    – Habits before eating
    – Habits through eating
    – Habits after eating
    If you notice and perform them, you will have a strong body and a fresh spirit. Do not forget, Prevention is better than cure.

    Habits before eating:
    – Start your meals with the name of Allah (In the name of God, The merciful, the compassionate)
    Imam Ali (A.S) said: Reminisce Allah before eating and avoid of ranting through eating because food is a gift from Allah and you should reminisce and thank him.
    (frou’e Kafi, volume 6, page 296)
    – Eating a little Salt before meals
    Imam Ali (A.S) said: at the beginning of eating, eat a little salt. If people knew the nature of salt, they would use it instead of each kind of cure.
    (teb Al-A’emah, page 70)
    – Start meals with vinegar
    Mohammad ibn Ali said: a man met Imam Reza in Khorasan. A food was given to Imam alongside with vinegar and salt. Imam started eating with vinegar. That man said to Imam (A.S): O, my lord! You ordered us to start with salt?! Imam said: they are the same, truly, vinegar strengthen mind and boost wisdom.
    (Teb va Darman, page 140)
    – Washing hands before meals
    Wash your hand before and after eating
    Imam Ali (A.S) said: washing hands before eating, increase your aliment, keeps clothes clean and strengthen eyes.
    (Khisal, page 612)

    Habits through eating:
    – Eating less and health
    Imam Ali (A.S) said: decrease your eating to decrease your disease
    (Qhorar Al-Hekam, volume 1, page 114)
    – Eat small meals to be light hearted
    The messenger of Allah, Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: who eats less and is more light-hearted, is more popular in front of Allah.
    (Kanz Al-Ommal, volume 15, page 261)
    – Moderation in eating
    Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: if people be moderate in their foods, their bodies will be strong and stable.
    (Safinah Al-Behar, volume 2, page 79)
    Imam Kazim (A.S) said: diet doesn’t mean to eat nothing, it means eat but moderate
    (Vasa’el Al-Shia, volume 17, page 183)
    – Glutting
    The messenger of Allah, Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: glutting destroy your intelligence
    (Mostatraf, volume 1, page 180)
    Imam Ali (A.S) said to one of his companions: Komeil! Don’t full your Stomach of food, leave space in it for water and air. Stop eating while you still have appetite for eating, if you perform these advices, food will be tasty to you. Truly, health comes by eating and drinking less.
    (That Al-Oghoul, page 66)
    – Appetite for food
    The messenger of Allah, Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: avoid eating something that you don’t have appetite for, because it makes you foolish
    (La’ali Al-Akhbar)
    – Always being full
    Imam Ali (A.S) said: avoid of always being full or eating too much, because it stimulates disease and suffers.
    (Qhorar Al-Hekam, volume 51, page 151)
    – Eating unlawful food
    The messenger of Allah, Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: if anyone eats an unlawful bit, his/her prayer won’t be accepted, his/ her prayer won’t be answered, and each part of his/her body which grow by that Unlawful bit, deserve the fire (Hell).
    (Behar al-Anvar volume 66, page 314)
    – Hot Food
    Imam Ali (A.S) said: let the hot food become colder, once, a meal was brought to the prophet and he said: let it be cold and be eatable because Allah never makes us to eat fire, blessing is in the tepid food.
    (Forou’e Kafi, volume 6, page 322)
    – Eating together
    The messenger of Allah, Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: the food which is more eaters (around it) is the most popular foods in front of Allah.
    (Nahj Al- Fasahah, page 15)
    – Blowing in food
    Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: blowing in the food or drinks and the place of prostration is execrable.
    (Khisal, page 158)
    – Attention to the poor people
    Imam Ali (A.S) said: when your meal is ready to serve, don’t reject poor ones if they reach to you.
    (Mahasen Borghi, page 423)
    – Night meal (dinner)
    Imam Reza (A.S) said: certainly, have meals at night, even some bread, because it (Night Meal) strengthens your body.
    (Teb Al- A’emah, page 65)
    – Hurry in eating
    Chew your food well and never hurry in eating.
    Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: lengthen your eating; moments of eating won’t be counted as your lifetime.
    (Safinah Al- Behar, volume 1, page 27)
    – Eating and walking
    Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: do not eat while you are walking, unless you have to.
    (Rozah Al- Mottaghin, page 524)
    – Drinking along with eating
    Imam Reza (A.S) said: everyone who wants to have healthy Stomach shouldn’t drink during eating until eating get finish. Because drinking through meal make the stomach weak and blood cannot take the food’s properties.
    (Mostadrak Al- Vasa’el)
    Imam Sadig (A.S) said: drinking water with greasy food, cause pain.
    (Vasa’el Al-Shia, volume 17, page 190)
    Imam Reza (A.S) said: drinking cold water after hot food and after sweats, damages teeth.
    (Behar Al- Anvar, volume 4)
    Imam Ali (A.S) said: Frequently, I saw the prophet when he was drinking water, he breathing 3 times during drinking; he was starting in the name of Allah and was appreciating Allah after breathing.
    (Behar Al-Anvar, volume 1, page 476)

    Habits after eating:
    – Appreciation after meal
    Don’t forget to appreciate Allah after finishing the meal.
    Allah says in Quran: O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that we have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is him ye worship.
    (Surah Al- Baqarah, verse 172)
    – Eating a little Salt after meals
    Imam Baqir (A.S) said: Allah revealed to Moses (A.S): order your people to start and finish their meals with salt, otherwise, if they get sick, they just blame themselves.
    (Teb Al- A’emah)
    – Tooth brushing
    The messenger of Allah, Mohammad (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: tooth brushing has 10 benefits. it make Allah satisfy, it increase your oblation 70 times, it’s my method and it is grateful, it makes the teeth shiny and white, it makes gum stronger, it washes out the mucus, it eliminates weakness of eyes, and it increase your appetite.
    (Khisal, page 481)
    – Relaxing after meal
    Imam Sadiq (A.S) said: After meal, lying on the back, make the body strong and it digest the meal and removes discomfort. Imam Reza (A.S) usually after meal lied on the back and put his right foot on the left food.
    (Safinah Al-Behar, volume 1, page 27)
    – Taking shower after meal
    Imam Reza (A.S) said: Do not take a shower with full stomach, it causes colic.
    (Resalah Al-Zahabiah, page 26-29)

    Some Islamic advices:
    – Always try to use healthy and fresh food.
    – Use different type of food to answer your body requests.
    – Do not look at the others dishes when you are eat together.
    – Do not dissipate foods and drinks and respect to the food you eat, because it’s a gift from Allah.

    This article borrowed from Islam, Peaceful Religion (p.f.r).

  • Islamic medical wisdom

    Health 2

    Imam Sadiq (A.S) discussed medicine and hygiene and delivered valuable lectures that revealed the most accurate affairs of these sciences. He also discussed physiology, blood circulation and the microbes that affect diseases. Moreover, he reviewed the qualities of fruits, vegetables, meat, and the like. These physical and medical discoveries have been compiled in a book titled Tibbul-Imam Al-Sadiq Medicine of Imam Sadiq (A.S).


    The Imam argued with the best physicians of his age and discussed the deepest and most accurate medical advances. Those physicians submitted to his knowledge and confessed of the questions he had provided. Most of these argumentations are recorded in the books dealing with the life of the Imam. We may consider that the best of these advances are those recorded in the book titled Amalil Imam Sadiq Dictations of Imam Sadiq (A.S), in which chapters pertaining to physiology with its accurate questions and topics are recorded.

    The most modern scientific labs and analytic devises and technology have not attained the topics that are discussed in that book. Naturally, these treatises contributed in the development of hygiene. As much as we conceive, the most splendid physical theses that are related to the Imams (A.S) are those recorded in the book titled Ar-Risaletul Thehebiya, The Golden Treatise. It is also called Tibbul Imam Al-Reza, The Medicine of Imam Al-Reza (A.S).

    Ref: Aalulbayt Global Information Center

  • The Harmful effects of Pork on the Health of a person

    Question: What is the harm in eating pork, that Islam has prohibited it, whereas Christians consume it with delight?
    Answer: The present age has realized that pork has many unimaginable dangerous effects. One who eats pork is affected in a dangerous way. It is also bad from the ethical point of view, which comes into existence with the Hormones, and also many more health matters. Here we will point to one harm, a disease called Trichinosis; whose cure has not been found and it is interesting to know that whatever you are going to read below is an article from an American research center.

    A dangerous disease caused by pork
    The doctors of Health centers have received reports from patients who have trichinosis and now this report shows that this disease has spread a great deal and the incidence of this in the society is much more than it was thought.
    Trichinosis is a common disease caused due to a small hair-like worm, which itself is a type of earthworm. This worm lives in pigs and other animals. It is possible that those who give milk to their young ones, by eating pork may contract this disease. But in this case human beings are more prone to this disease. For example bear by eating the intestine of the pig gets this disease and hunters who use the meat of bear also get this disease.
    Generally when a person eats meat that is not cooked properly he gets infected by this disease. No one can say surely that pork used by him was properly cooked as now also we see the incidence of those who are using it. Before consuming pork, it was prepared with some ingredients to remain safe from the worms, the writer of the article has pointed towards it in the end.
    From the above said article we come to know that two and half crore people are ingesting these worms into their body. Only one group from them has been diagnosed, but there are thousands of incidences, which are not known to the doctors.
    It is expected that two and half crore people are infected with this disease and 16,000 have publicly announced their illness, from which 5% have died due to the severity.

    Ref: Imam Reza.Network.

  • The Olive: A Health Giving Plant

    One of the foods to which attention is drawn in the Qur'an is the olive. Research in recent years has revealed that the olive is not just a delicious food but also represents an important source of good health. In addition to the olive itself, olive oil is also an important source of nutrition. Attention is drawn to the oil of the olive tree in these terms in the Quran:
    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The metaphor of His Light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, its oil all but giving off light even if no fire touches it. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whoever He wills and Allah makes metaphors for mankind and Allah has knowledge of all things.
    (Quran, 24:35)
    The expression "mubarakatin zaytoonatin" in the above verse describes the olive as being "plentiful, sacred, auspicious, providing countless blessings." Olive oil, referred to in the term "zaytuha," is known as one of the most highly recommended types of oil by all experts, especially for coronary and arterial health. Its health benefits may be summarized as follows:

    Benefits for Coronary and Arterial Health
    Most of the fatty acids in olives and olive oil are mono-unsaturated. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids do not contain cholesterol. Therefore, olive oil does not raise cholesterol levels but instead keeps them under control. Olive oil also contains omega-6 linoleic acid (EFA: Essential Fatty Acid), which is essential for the human body. Due to this feature, health-related bodies (such as The World Health Organization) recommend that at least 30% of the fatty acid consumed in societies in which hardened artery and diabetes levels are high should consist of omega-6. This increases the importance of the olive still further. [Scientific Encyclopedia, 207]
    And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect.
    (Quran, 16:11)   
    Studies in this area have revealed much lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and higher antioxidant levels in people who consume 25 milliliters (about two dessertspoonful) of natural olive oil a day for one week [European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2002, 56: 114-120]. Antioxidants are important as they neutralize the harmful substances in the body known as free radicals and prevent cell damage. It has also been established in a great many studies that the consumption of olive oil reduces cholesterol levels and prevents heart disease. [Archives of Internal Medicine 1998; 158: 1181-1187]
    Olive oil is also recommended for patients with heart and artery disease since it reduces the level of harmful cholesterol (LDL) in the bloodstream and raises that of useful cholesterol (HDL). In countries with high occurrences of heart and artery diseases, saturated fats with high cholesterol content are generally consumed.
    In addition, olive oil does not disrupt the proportion of omega-6 to that of omega-3. It is very important that omega-3 and omega-6 be present in the body at specific levels because any imbalance in these proportions can lead to progression in many diseases, especially those of the heart and immune system and cancer.131 For all these reasons, many people enjoy good health thanks to olive oil. The American Heart Association suggests that in order to reduce the risk of heart disease high mono-unsaturated fats can be an alternative to a 30% reduced fat diet. [Journal of the American Heart Association, September 1999]

    Prevention of Arthritis
    According to researchers' reports, people who consume large quantities of olive oil and cooked vegetables can have a reduced risk of rheumatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints.

    Contribution to Child Development
    Due to the linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) contained in olives and olive oil, these are a most healthy food for newborn babies and growing children. A deficiency in linoleic acid leads to the emergence of a retardation of development in babyhood and various skin disorders.
    Olive oil contains anti-oxidant elements that prevent the destructive effects of harmful substances in our bodies, and fatty acids of great importance to human health. These support the hormones and assist in cell membrane formation.
    Olive oil possesses a balanced polyunsaturated compound at a similar level to that in human milk. Olive oil is a sufficient source of these fatty acids, which cannot be obtained from the human body but which are of the most essential importance to it. These factors make olive oil very important for new-born babies.
    Since it contributes to the natural development of the baby's brain and nervous system before and after birth, olive oil is the only oil recommended for mothers by experts. As well as containing similar levels of linoleic acid to those of mother's milk, when olive oil is added to fatless cow's milk, it becomes as natural a food source as mother's milk itself.

    Blood Pressure Reduction
    One study published in the 27 March 2000 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine once more stressed the beneficial effect of olive oil on high blood pressure. Medicines to reduce high blood pressure are also made from olive leaves.

    This article borrowed from Miracles of the Quran.

  • Why Ablution is obligatory?

    Ablution

    Ablution is obligatory before the five daily prayers in addition to other obligatory prayers except the Funeral Prayer. It is obligatory to wash the face and the two arms, and pass the hand over, for Shia, the head and the feet. Similarly, it is recommendable, in the ritual ablution, to wash the hands and rinse the mouth and the nose in addition to the other actions. The specialist physicians mention important advantages for the ablution. They are as follows:

    1. Water that is shed on the face and the hands helps in activating the dermal capillaries. This increases the heart vivacity, activates the body respiratory processes, and helps in inhalation and exhalation. Consequently, the perceptive motivated nerves are stimulated. Then, the stimulation moves to the whole cardiac, gastric, and plutonic nerves, as well as all of the organs and glands.

    2. Eyes are protected against ophthalmic because they are washed with water several times a day.

    3. The nasal channels are cleaned from the germs gathering there by rinsing the nose.

    4. The skin is protected against dermatomes. The face and the hands are uncovered organs that are vulnerable to the affection of microbes. Immunity will certainly be obtained if those organs are washed several times a day.

    5. The oral cavity is protected against the germs that penetrate because of the pollution of hands. If the hands are always clean, they will not carry any microbe. Diseases that affect the human body through polluted hands are the digestive parasites, typhoid, and paralysis. At any rate, the ablution is the most notable means of protecting the human bodies against such serious diseases.

    6. The ablution alleviate tense nerves and anger, as physicians aver. The Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) said: “Rage is the Satan. The Satan is created of fire. Water extinguishes fire. You should perform the ablution whenever you are enraged.”

    Taken from: Aalulbayt Global Information Center

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