According to Islam, People are tested by various tests in the temporal world (Dunya), and according to their reactions to these tests, they receive their reward in the Hereafter (after death). Diseases are also one of the world’s tests. A person who has an illness or a bad situation in the Quran; It has been recommended to say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return” [1] and therefore accepting this situation comes from Allah.
A sick person recognizes the healing attribute of Allah during his illness. The healing attribute of Allah is described in many verses in the Quran. As Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) said, “And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.” [2] Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment.” He stated that sickness and healing come from Allah.[3]
According to Islam, it is not without reason that Allah gives diseases. Some of these reasons are:
- It is easier to appreciate healthy times when sickness comes. A fish does not realize how blessed it is when it is in the water, but if it can recognize its beauty and its own need when it comes out of the water; A person also realizes the beauty of healthy time only when he loses his health. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised to know the value of health before illness.[4]
- The Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) explained that sins of a sick person will fall off and his /her illness may actually be a reason for that person to be forgiven.“You take the middle road and head straight. Everything that happens to a Muslim is an expiation for his sins. In fact, a thorn pricked him or his staggering is expiation for his sins.”[5]
- It is a little more difficult for young people to remember the hereafter, death, and servitude than for the elderly. On the other hand, a sick young person remembers his servitude to Allah, the existence of the Hereafter, the value of his health, and the ugliness of his sins. Therefore, it is accepted that illness is a means of reminding us of Allah for young people. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) gave the good news of a life in Paradise where there is no aging and disease, as reward to the worldly life where youth and health are not eternal.[6]
- It is also stated that the reward of martyrdom [7] will be for a person who has a deadly disease and is patient. It was informed by Muhammad.[8] He gave good news by saying, not only to the patient, but also to those who serve that patient and look after him; ” Whoever relieves a Muslim of some worldly distress, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection.”[9]
The life of this world is limited in a certain time. illness and pain are also unique to this world. Verses and hadiths inform that there will be no sickness or sorrow in the Hereafter.[10] It is stated that those who endure pain and do not rebel against Allah in this temporal world (Dunya), will be rewarded in Paradise, the place of eternity [11]. In the Quran, the Prophet Ayyub’s patience, and prayer for his illness and then his recovery are described as models of ideal human behaviour.[12] According to Islamic sources, asking Allah for help by praying is accepted as a means of healing for those who are sick.
[1] Al-Baqarah /156
[2] Ash-Shu’ara / 80
[3] Sahih Al-Bukhari, book # 71, Hadith 582, narrated by Abu Huraira)
[4] Al-Jami’ as-Saghir-1210
[5] Sahih Al-Muslim 3/1996,52
[6] Who is called a martyr?
[7] Sahih Al-Bukhari, Medicine; Al-Anbya, 54
[8] Sahih Al-Muslim, Selam, 92-95
[9] Abu-Dawud, Kitab Al-Adab,60; Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Chapter on Righteousness,19
[10] Al-Hijr/48
[11] Al-Baqarah/177, Sahih Muslim, Paradise,22
[12] Al-Anbya/83-84