Health ~ A Priority
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 271 |
| Khutbah Date: | 04/11/08 |
نعمتان مغبون فيهما كثير من الناس : الصحة والفراغ
There are two bounties that people most neglect; health and free time. [Prophet Muhammad(pbuh)]
A Self-Sufficient World ruled by Human Imbalance
UNICEF and UNDP research indicate that ….
- Every day 30,000 children in the developing world die from preventable diseases.
- Basic medical care is beyond the reach of many of the world's poor, or simply unavailable.
- Without vaccination 3 million people a year die from preventable illnesses such as tuberculosis, measles, polio, and respiratory infections.
- Malnutrition is responsible for over half of the 12 million child deaths every year
If the world powers were to spend one tenth on food and health as much as they spend on war, starvation and malnutrition could be eradicated in the world
This week (April 7th) we had a global focus World Health Day where governments and international organizations, civil society and the business community, families and individuals are encouraged to "invest in health to build a safer future".
Physical well-being
Health is such a major issue in Islam that Allah refers to His revelation as شفاء Shifaa’ / the healing [Q 10.57] Our healthy bodies are truly miraculous gifts and we have been given the responsibility to maximize our health by avoiding abusive conduct and practicing healthy behaviors. Remember, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) warned us that no person would be excused on the Day of Judgment unless he answers ... how he used/abused his body. We know we should eat wisely, exercise regularly, avoid unnecessary or imprudent risks and stay away from drugs and intoxicants
Physical well-being is probably the first component of health that comes to mind when thinking about well-being, and yet, it is often the component most neglected in our contemporary culture.
لا بأس بالغنى لمن اتقى ، و الصحة لمن اتقى خير من الغنى ، و طيب النفس من النعيم
There is no harm in wealth for those who are righteous, and health for the pious is better than wealth; and pleasant personality is a blessing
Halaal–an-Tayyib
A highly important factor of health promotion is proper nutrition. Diet therefore, plays an important role in our life-style. Allah in His infinite Wisdom and Mercy is therefore concerned even with what we eat and put in our body. Muslims are directed in the Qur’an
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُواْ مِمَّا فِي الأَرْضِ حَلاَلاً طَيِّباً
to eat food that is Halaal and Tayyib. [Qur'an 2:168]
- Halaal is defined as food that is permissible according to Islamic law.
- Tayyib means wholesome, pure, nutritious and safe.
“The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings. Let food be your medicine.” [Hippocrates]
Choosing wholesome food and avoiding what is unwholesome are essential to health. For this reason Islam has prohibited certain foods due to their ill effects and permitted all pure, good and clean food products. [Q 5:3][Q2:168]
"And from the fruits of the date palm and grapes you get wholesome drink and nutrition: Behold in this is a sign for those who use their intellect" [Qur’an 16:67]
Food is an essential prerequisite for sustaining life and as such the primary goal of eating and drinking is to enable the body to function normally.
Moderation & Obesity
Another component of nutrition (after permission of the lawful and prohibition of the unlawful) is moderation in the lawful. Obesity is a major American tragedy, a form of malnutrition, affecting million of people, of all ages. Obesity is a disease that affects nearly one-third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million(. Each year, obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths in the U.S., and healthcare costs of American adults with obesity amount to approximately $100 billion. Obesity is the second leading cause of unnecessary deaths. Over ninety percent of obesity is due to overeating. Some people forget that we eat to live, not live to eat. Allah advises as to be moderate in consumption and not to be of those who waste…Eat of the good things We have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess therein. [Qur’an 20:81]. Waste not, nor be excessive for God loves not the wasters"[Qur'an 7:31]. The wise among our predecessors have said;
If people have a moderate habit in eating, their bodies would be healthy.
Defining moderation in consumption,, the Prophetic guidance on the best of common diets is: "one third food, one third water and one third air."
Sayyedna ‘Ali said; ما فوقَ الكِفاف ِ اسرافٌ Consuming more than needed is excessiveness.Remember the Divine injunction;eat and drink, but be not excessive, for Allah loves not those who are excessive. [Qur’an 7:31]
Need for Emotional Health
- Human beings are emotive beings who experience feelings all the time. Some of these feelings are positive (love, joy) while others are negative (hatred, envy). Emotions such as fear, jealousy, despair and anger are among the most challenging, most difficult, and potentially most destructive of human experiences; yet such experiences are inescapable.
- Emotional health is the ability to express all emotions appropriately. Those who have this ability are surely mentally healthy.
The Qur’an describes Believers as …
Those who put their trust in Allah) are they who avoid major sin and
وَالَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُوا هُمْ يَغْفِرُونَ
impropriety; and even when they have cause to be angry, they forgive” [Qur'an 42:37]
- The Prophetic saying لا يستقيم ايمان عبد حتى يستقيم قلبه “none of your faith will be correct unless your heart is correct” may equally be a reference to personal sincerity as well as inner emotions that dictate our lives. Our beloved Prophet prayed;
اللهم إني أسألك الصحة والعافية وحسن الخلق
O Allah! I ask of you for health, forgiveness and good character