The topic of this live dialogue is “heal your soul, heart, and body”, and I am very interested in these topics. In your opinion what is the connection between all three (soul, heart, and body)?
Answer
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful.
The connection between soul, heart and body started since God Almighty blew life in the formed body of clay that became Adam (peace be upon him). This connection continued through minute details of the human functioning, through the various human physical and spiritual senses. This can be clarified through the different manners and rituals of Islamic worship. We can see this through two examples, both affecting one another. The first form the worship of zikr (mentioning and remembering Allah by tongue and heart). It has been stated in the Qur’an that this zikr comforts the heart. The second example is from the sunnah (traditions and habits) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Whenever he went through a hardship or a stressing situation, he used to seek his great companion Bilal, who was the mu`azin (caller for prayer). He used to urge Bilal to call for prayers, seeking inner peace and saying: “give us comfort through it, Bilal!”.
According to the sunnah also, Prophet Muhammad used to prescribe his prophetic treatment through prescribing the drinking of honey syrup, black seed or blood-letting cupping, etc. In addition to this he used to recommend du`aa (prayers and supplication) and to ask the patient to count on sabr (patience).
This example demonstrates the fusing and uniting of the physical, spiritual and psychological treatment.
A point worth mentioning is that the World Health Organization (WHO) has changed its definition of health from physical and mental health to physical, mental and spiritual health.
Name
Mumina
- United States
Profession
house wife
Question
Asalamu `Alaykum
Respected Brother,
Is there any Islamic path to treating anxiety disorders, such as OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)? If so, how could someone living in the States find this care?
We are currently dealing with this illness in my 17 year old daughter, and she is taking Prozac and getting sound counseling from a Muslim psychiatrist who gives wonderful advice on how to ask Allah the Almighty for help in times of stress, etc.
Answer
From the Islamic point of view you can focus on the creed by emphasizing the sound relation between your daughter and her Creator. This can be in the form of ritual prayers on time, maintaining ablution, listening to the divine wordings of the Qur’an and supplicating through du`aa and giving sadaqah (optional charity). In fact, in the Qur’an you and find many verses conveying the servant’s supplication asking for God’s divine healing. They are known as `ayaat as-shifaa` (verses of healing).
Of course we all should pray for her and we ask all our brothers and sisters following this live dialogue to pray for God’s acceptance. May Allah provide her with His divine remedy and good health.
Name
Anas
- Yemen
Profession
Question
I want to know how to keep my self from becoming emotional due of a parent mental illness (depression).
Answer
Dear Brother Anas.
Who counts on God, would definitely would find Him worth being counted upon, for He is the Most Capable and Most Helper. Thus you should keep sincere, deep and sound connection with Allah, as I have explained above. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said: “If you ask, ask for Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah.”
Name
Naima
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
Do you believe that Yoga and other spiritual exercises actually relieve a person from uneasiness of the soul, tension and other ailments?
Answer
Yes, it does help. We cannot deny this. Yet, the spiritual exercises of different Islamic rituals of worship provides much higher relaxation outcomes. You can for example practice i`tikaaf (going into solitude for the sake of devoting one’s thoughts and deep feelings all the time chosen for Allah), which provides the person with deep inner peace due to the blessed communication with God. This is also rewarded by Allah Almighty, so the reward is in this life and the one after. This is while the positive results of yoga are much limited to our worldly senses.
Another Islamic remedy to the soul is reaching the essence of khoshou` (complete humbleness) during salat (prayers), specially during sujuud (prostration).
Name
not feeling well :(
-
Profession
Question
AAWAWB,
What are some causes of the fellopian tubes being deformed, blocked, looped,etc. and what are some possible solutions?
How is fibromyalgia viewed and treated? Why are so many diseases linked to mental health? Whenever I have a strong bout of the disease and I end up in a slump of a depression. What can I do to avoid this? I cannot afford physical therapies such as message, chiro, etc.
Jazaka Allahu khayran.
Answer
The reason behind your suffering might be one or another. Yet, the main point here is that you are going through an ibtilaa` (a test destined to you from God). You need to strengthen your patience and acceptance to Allah’s will and definitely God will reward you with His mercy. This is His promise to the believers who hang on to patience.
My advice is also to use blood-letting cupping as a physical therapy (hijamah). This should take place once per month for three consecutive months. You can also contact me through my personal email: amirsalehed@hotmail.com
Name
aishah
-
Profession
Question
Asalaamu Alaikum
I have thyroid disease and there is no cure. You must take synthroid for the rest of your life. Islam says there is a cure for every disease, so why hasn't anyone found one yet since this is not a new disease or is the cure being kept secret as the pharmaceutical companies are making a killing off of selling this product which is apparently the 3rd most prescribed medicine? I have an islamic medicine book and it doesn't say anything about thyroid disease. Any advice or ideas?
Answer
Sister Aisha, I ask Allah to provide you remedy, grant you good health and cure your illness.
I advice you to make use of the example of our great Companion `Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who used to make use of the first chapter of the Qur’an (Al-Fatiha). He used to put his hand on the aching organ and read it as a sincere supplication to Allah Almighty.
As for Islamic medication, there is a treatment for Thyroid disorders by the usage of a plant known as marjoram bardakoush. You can prepare by adding a cup of hot water to one tea-spoon of its minced. Also, you should do blood-letting cupping (hijamah), as mentioned in the previous answer.
Name
Sara Khorshid
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Is there a positive relation between the strength of one's faith in Allah and one's mental condition? How? How can I strengthen my faith and feel secure and peaceful? And are there certain steps I should follow?
Answer
Yes, there is a positive relation between one's faith in Allah and one's mental condition. This has been proved by many researches lately at The University of Pennsylvania. It has been found out that regular prayers (salat) with high degree of concentration improves the mental activities and capabilities.
Also, there is a positive relation between sharing others their sorrows and giving them a hand during their times of crises —which is in itself a highly recommended manner by the Islamic ethical code— and the releasing of certain chemical substances formed by the brain. These are known as endorphin and encephalin. They are actually morphine like substances, which decrease pain and increase the sense of relaxation.
Name
Scarlett
- United Kingdom
Profession
Poet
Question
The essence of human natural intellects drifts one’s mind towards contemplating variable magnificent creation. On the other hand, the rapid alternating daily stresses in our times have produced new aches for the human body and soul. Is there a way of healing through the mechanics of contemplation in Islam? What I mean is that I understand that contemplation is in itself a manner of worship. Can this be used in Islam to heal one’s body and soul from parallel aches?
Answer
In fact, latest researches proved that through ablution (wuduu`) the human body can get rid of the negative electro-magnetic field, which coat the different exposed areas of the body and they produce negative impact on the human body. By using ablution repeatedly, the body gets re-set to its normal condition.
Also getting rid of the deep negative charges through the seven bony prominent organs through which Muslims touch the ground during prostration (earthing) help the body to wash out all its extra charges.
Due to God’s mercy, He has ordered Muslims to pray seventeen obligatory rak`ah (bowing state), during which they prostrate 34 time. This definitely helps.
Back to the point you specified, I would like to shed the light on the point that Allah has ordered believers to contemplate and read His open book of universe in many verses in the Qur’an. Science has lately proved that thinking positively about everything improves the mental activities and that looking at vast green areas leads to complete physical and mental relaxation. Also, looking to the far horizons of the seas and sky during clear days has proven to be very healthy. This improves the general activities for low energy people and weak subjects.
Besides, contemplating the vast horizon of the desert (yellow color) has proven scientifically that it sharpens the human sight, increase concentration and improves memory.
