
Muslims do believe in medical treatment. In fact, many scholars consider it mandatory in Islam to seek medical help for illness, according to two sayings of the Prophet Muhammad: "Seek treatment, believers of Allah, for Allah has made a cure to every illness."
Full Answer
Is it mandatory to seek medical treatment in Islam?
In fact, many scholars consider it mandatory in Islam to seek medical help for illness, according to two sayings of the Prophet Muhammad: "Seek treatment, believers of Allah, for Allah has made a cure to every illness." "Your body has a right over you."
Do doctors need to know about Muslim traditions?
Still, he said, it is helpful for doctors to know something about Muslim traditions. Having a better understanding usually improves communication and may actually save time.
How do Muslims approach health care?
Contemporary Muslims’ approach to health care is still strongly based on preventative measures. In many cases, although Muslim patients seek a curative process through surgical or medical means, they still look to their religious and cultural heritage to address their spiritual, social and cultural needs.
Are there any Islamic therapies for the aged?
Sharia in islamic therapies for the aged. Current Psychiatric Therapies, 22 , 249-251. Gatrad, A. R., & Sheikh, A. (2001). Muslim birth customs. Archives of Disease in Childhood.Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 84 (1), F6-8. Gatrad, R., & Sheikh, A. (2002). Palliative care for muslims and issues after death.

What does Islam say about medical treatment?
Islam prioritizes the well being and health of its people. Therefore in the aspect of health, Muslims are required to take care of their body entrusted by Allah s.w.t. to always be in good health. Muslims are obliged to find medicine when they are infected with a disease.
How are patients treated in Islam?
5 Best Practices for Treating Your Muslim PatientsBelieving in Allah, Arabic for God, and Mohamed as his prophet (the last prophet in the lineage of prophets starting from Abraham).Performing five daily prayers.Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.Contributing to charity.More items...•
Is healthcare a right in Islam?
Within an Islamic paradigm, therefore, the sick have a right to healthcare and those in a position to offer the care, through resources, skills, and time, are du- ty-bound to provide it.
Why is medicine important to Muslims?
Islamic Achievements in Medieval Medicine: Hospitals and Doctor Training. Rather than viewing disease as a punishment from God as the Christians thought, Islam looked at disease as just another problem for mankind to solve. The Prophet decreed that the sick and injured should be cared for, not shunned.
What is Islamic medical ethics?
Islamic medical ethics is the methodology of analysing and resolving the ethical issues that arise in healthcare practice or research based, on the Islamic moral and legislative sources (primarily Quran and Sunna), and aims at achieving the goals of Islamic morality.
Is nursing allowed in Islam?
Most Muslims see breastfeeding as the God (Allah) given right of the child according to the rules of Shariah (Islamic Law). The religious laws regarding breastfeeding are all from the Quran and give parents a degree of flexibility and choice.
How does Islam view healthcare?
Since good health is a gift from God, Muslims believe that taking care of one's health is a religious duty. However, this also implies that Muslims often prefer spiritual wellbeing over physical wellness. Religious beliefs may also influence a Muslim patient's notions of healing.
What Quran says about doctors?
2- Attending to the mediated role of doctors in curing illnesses; the Holy Quran says: “He is the God who cures me when I'm ill (Shoaara 82)”. This verse indicates that the healing and medicine is truly from God, and their true healer is only him.
What does the prophet say about health?
The Prophet a said: “There are two blessings which many people do not appreciate: health and leisure”. He also said: “No blessing other than faith is better than well-being”. As an aspect of grace, man should express gratitude to God for it, and it should be properly looked after.
Why is Mustahabb recommended?
The Shaafi’is, and al-Qaadi, Ibn ‘Aqeel and Ibn al-Jawzi among the Hanbalis, said that it is mustahabb (recommended), because of the hadeeth “Allaah has sent down the disease and the cure, and has made for every disease the cure.
Is medical treatment allowed in Allah?
Answer. Praise be to Allah. Generally speaking, medical treatment or seeking a cure is allowed , because of the report of Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Allaah has sent down the disease and the cure, and has made for every disease the cure.
Is seeking a cure obligatory?
In summary, therefore, seeking a treatment or cure is not obligatory according to the scholars, unless – according to some – it will definitely be of benefit. Since in the situation described in the question there is no certainty that treatment will be of benefit, and indeed it is likely to cause suffering to the patient, then there is nothing at all wrong with not giving the treatment. The patient should not forget to put his trust in Allaah and seek refuge in Him, for the gates of Heaven are open to those who call on Allaah. He may also seek treatment (ruqya) by reciting Qur’aan, such as reading al-Faatihah, al-Falaq and al-Naas over himself. This will benefit him psychologically and physically, as well as bringing him reward. Allaah is the Healer and there is no healer but He.
Who was the first Muslim physician to use psychotherapy?
For example, Abu Bakar Muhammad Zakaria Al-Razi (925 CE) is the first Muslim physician who introduced the methods of psychotherapy and he had achieved a lot of success in discovering the definition, symptoms and mental health.
Why are Muslims hesitant to seek help?
Researchers found that many Muslims are hesitant to seek help from the mental health professionals in Western countries[5–7] due to the differences in their beliefs and lack of understating of the helping professionals about Islamic values in their treatment modalities.
What is the role of Islam in the family?
Islam enforces the family role in Muslim's life and emphasizes the religious, moral, and ethical values, on the contrary to Western society, which started nowadays to suffer from moral decay leading to broken families with increased divorce rate and number of unwed mothers and single parent families.
What is Sufism counseling?
Sufism is a third model of Islamic counseling, in which a trained Sufi master (shaykh) guides the person to the path to God, Initially the person needs to show his/her desire to serve God and humanity and show a commitment to act according to the master's guidance. [23] .
What is the origin of Islam?
INTRODUCTION. Islam is a monotheistic religion based on revelations to the Prophet Muhammad 1400 years ago , which were recorded in the sacred Quran (Koran). The word Islam in Arabic means “submission,” reflecting the central core of Islam, which is the submission to the will of God.
Introduction
Because of the scientific and technological advancements in the West, the Muslims travelling to these countries seeking treatment are increasing, just as the Muslim residents in these parts of the world need medical treatment.
General Rules
358. It is not permissible to perform autopsy on the body of a dead Muslim for the sake of education and other purposes. It is only permissible, if the life of another Muslim depends on it—even if it is sometime in the future.
Question and Answers
352. Question: The serious harm of narcotic drugs to the user or society in general (whether from being addicted to them or other [sociatal, familial, and ethical] reems) is well known. Therefore, the doctors and health care professionals are strongly opposing the misuse of drugs and the laws governing the society is also strongly against it.
AIDS
AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a disease that has afflicted, based on 1996 data, eight million people worldwide and there are about twenty-two million who carry the AIDS virus.
Why are Muslims encouraged to search the natural world for remedies?
However, when a patient has reached the terminal stage (when treatment holds no promise of a cure) it is not required to sustain excessive life-saving remedies.
What does Islam teach about life?
Islam teaches that the control of life and death is in Allah's hands, and cannot be manipulated by human beings. Life itself is sacred, and it is therefore forbidden to end life deliberately, either through homicide or suicide. To do so would be to reject faith in Allah's divine decree. Allah determines how long each person will live.
What does the Quran say about Allah?
Allah determines how long each person will live. The Quran says: "Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful!".
What happens if a patient is declared brain dead?
If a patient is declared brain-dead by doctors, including situations in which there is no activity in the brain stem, the patient is considered dead and no artificial support functions need to be provided. Ceasing such care is not considered homicide if the patient is already clinically dead.
What is the importance of patience in Islam?
Patience. When a person is suffering from unbearable pain, a Muslim is advised to remember that Allah tests us with pain and suffering in this life, and we must patiently persevere. The Prophet Muhammad advised us to make this du'a on such occasions: "Oh Allah, make me live as long as life is better for me, and make me die if death is better ...
Who is Huda in Islam?
Life Support and Euthanasia in Islam. Huda is an educator, school administrator, and author who has more than two decades of experience researching and writing about Islam online. Islam teaches that the control of life and death is in Allah's hands, and cannot be manipulated by human beings.
Do Muslims believe in medical treatment?
Muslims do believe in medical treatment. In fact, many scholars consider it mandatory in Islam to seek medical help for illness, according to two sayings of the Prophet Muhammad: "Seek treatment, believers of Allah, for Allah has made a cure to every illness.". "Your body has a right over you.".
Why don't Amish people have heart transplants?
The Amish will not allow heart transplants and, in some cases, heart surgery because they view the heart as “the soul of the body.” Children who have not been baptized are exempt from that restriction.
Do Seventh Day Adventists have medical issues?
In fact, Seventh-day Adventists have no issue with standard medical treatment but do emphasize a holistic approach to health, which they practice in their not-for-profit Adventist hospital system, with divisions around the world.
Does Copeland believe in medical treatment?
Copeland is not the first evangelical to call for limited medical treatment. Some fundamentalists don’t believe in medications or psychological treatments for mental illness . Small groups of faith healers believe that prayer can heal and shun conventional medical support.
Do Amish people seek medical attention?
An Amish horse-drawn buggy. Though the religion does not forbid its members from seeking medical attention, many Amish are reluctant to do so unless absolutely necessary. They believe that God is the ultimate healer, and they are likely to turn to folk remedies, herbal teas and other more “natural” antidotes.
Do Sikhs approve of animal products?
Sikhs also disapprove of any animal-based products for medical use. But both religions allow for exceptions in cases of emergency or when no other options are available. Both Sunni and Shiite Muslims also do not approve of any drugs, medical dressings or implants that contain porcine ingredients.

Introduction
General Information
- The word “Islam” means peace and submission to the will of Allah (translated literally as “the God”); those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Islam is one of the three Abrahamic religions after Judaism and Christianity. In the 7 th century C.E. Islam emerged in the Arabian Peninsula, or present day Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe that there is only one God and that Muhammad was t…
Modern Period
- One of the most significant changes in Islamic history occurred toward the end of the Ottoman period. During this transition the previously united Islamic world was fragmented into many newly independent Muslim countries due to the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the expansion of Western colonialism. These changes resulted in socio-political appropriation and adaptation of …
Contemporary Approach
- Contemporary Muslims’ approach to health care is still strongly based on preventative measures. In many cases, although Muslim patients seek a curative process through surgical or medical means, they still look to their religious and cultural heritage to address their spiritual, social and cultural needs. Preventative healthcare strategies in Muslim experience include: personal hygien…
Important Religious and Cultural Facts in Providing Care
- In caring for hospitalized Muslim patients, the following information will help to provide a more comfortable stay for patients, and will facilitate communication between staff and their patients and families.
Cited References
- Hassaballah, A. M. (1996). Minisymposium. definition of death, organ donation and interruption of treatment of islam. Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation: Official Publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association – European Renal Association, 11 (6), 964-965. Naughton, M., & Davis, M. (2001). Discussing do-not-resuscitate status: Furthering the discourse. Journal of Cli…
Suggested Journal Articles
- Ahmed, Q. A., Memish, Z. A., Allegranzi, B., Pittet, D., & WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge. (2006). Muslim health-care workers and alcohol-based handrubs. Lancet, 367 (9515), 1025-1027. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68431-6. Ali, O. M., Milstein, G., & Marzuk, P. M. (2005). The imam’s role in meeting the counseling needs of muslim communities in the united states. Psychiatric Se…
Suggested Resources
- Aksoy, S (2001) A Critical Approach to the Current Understanding of Islamic Scholars on Using Cadaver Organs without Prior Permission. Bioethics 15(5-6):461-72 Retrieved 5/10/2008, 2008, from http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-8519.00254 ( Note: online access limited; subscription required) Albar, MA (1996). Islamic ethics of organ transplantation and brai…