Health, Sickness and Islamic Teachings

Health, Sickness and Islamic Teachings – A Timeless Guide to Faith and Well-Being

There are moments in life — a diagnosis, a long illness, a loved one’s suffering — when we find ourselves reaching for something deeper than medical answers alone. Health, Sickness and Islamic Teachings is written for exactly those moments. Grounded in centuries of Islamic wisdom, this remarkable work helps readers understand that the body is a trust from Allah, that illness is not a punishment but often a profound test, and that within every trial lies the possibility of purification, patience, and drawing closer to Him. It is a book that does not just inform — it steadies the heart.

Why this book matters today

We live in an age of extraordinary medical advancement — and yet, for many Muslims, the deeper questions remain unanswered: what does Islam truly say about sickness and healing? How do we hold faith and medicine together without diminishing either? How do we deal with illness according to Islam in a way that is spiritually honest and practically grounded? This book addresses those questions with the kind of care and scholarship they deserve. It presents a vision of health that is wholly Islamic — one in which seeking treatment and trusting Allah are not opposites, but two expressions of the same sincere surrender.

What makes this book unique

• Firmly rooted in the Qur’an, Hadith, and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) — not opinion, but guidance
• Brings physical wellness and spiritual insight together in a way that feels whole and coherent
• Explores the living connection between faith, healing, and the choices we make every day
• Addresses both preventive care and the experience of illness itself — before, during, and after

Key themes and knowledge inside

• Health understood as a trust (amanah) from Allah and a foundation for a purposeful life
• Making sense of illness through Qadr (divine decree) — not with resignation, but with understanding
• The transformative power of Sabr (patience in illness) and Tawakkul (genuine trust in Allah)
• Spiritual healing through Dua (supplication) and Ruqyah — their meaning, their limits, and their beauty
• Insights from Tibb al-Nabawi (Prophetic medicine) and what it offers the modern reader
• Guidance on ethical treatment, care for the sick, and the values that should govern medical decisions
• The often-overlooked connection between physical health and Islamic psychology and well-being

Author’s scholarly authority

Syed Jalaluddin Umari (d. 2022) was one of the most distinguished Islamic scholars of his generation — a former president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind whose life’s work spanned Islamic thought, social reform, and jurisprudence. His writing carries the character of the classical tradition, reflecting the depth and care one finds in scholars like Imam Al-Ghazali and Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah — rigorous in scholarship, yet always oriented toward the reader’s benefit. The English translation by Prof. Abdur Rahim Qidwai renders this depth accessible without diluting it, ensuring that the full weight of the original is felt in every chapter.

Who should read Health, Sickness and Islamic Teachings

• Readers seeking clear, authentic Islamic guidance on health and illness
• Those exploring what faith looks like — practically and spiritually — in times of sickness
• Individuals going through difficulty who need both understanding and spiritual strength
• Healthcare professionals looking to ground their practice in Islamic medical ethics
• Students of Islamic studies, personal development, and the intersection of faith and life

Practical benefits for the reader

• Build a genuinely balanced approach to physical and spiritual well-being — one that honours both
• Understand what patience during illness in Islam really means — and how to live it, not just endure it
• Find clarity on how Islam explains trials like sickness, without false comfort or empty reassurance
• Discover spiritual healing methods in Islam rooted in authentic teaching — not folklore or assumption
• Learn to strengthen your reliance on Allah while taking responsible, considered action in the world

Edition and publication quality

• Title: Health, Sickness and Islamic Teachings
• Author: Syed Jalaluddin Umari
• Translator: Prof. Abdur Rahim Qidwai
• ISBN-13: 9788119571260
• Pages: 408
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Publisher: M.M.I Publishers (2024 Edition)

Expand your understanding

For readers drawn to broader questions of theology and interfaith understanding, you may also find value in: Similarities Between Islam & Christianity

Guidance from the Qur’an & Sunnah

Allah says:

“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.” (Qur’an 26:80)

The Messenger of Allah said:

“The believer is not afflicted by the prick of a thorn or what is worse (or greater) than that, except that by it Allah raises him in rank and removes sin from him.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 965)

These words — spoken through the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) — carry a profound wisdom: that illness and healing both belong to Allah, and that turning to Him in either is an act of faith, not weakness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?

Yes. Despite the depth of its scholarship, the book is written in a clear and accessible style — welcoming to those new to the topic while offering genuine substance to more experienced readers.

Does the book focus only on spiritual healing?

Not at all. One of its strengths is precisely this balance — it takes both medicine and spirituality seriously, offering a holistic Islamic perspective rather than favouring one over the other.

What topics does the book cover?

It covers health, illness, patience, the ethics of care, and spiritual healing — all illuminated through the Qur’an, Hadith, and the classical Islamic scholarly tradition.

Is Health, Sickness and Islamic Teachings based on authentic sources?

Yes. The entire work is grounded in the Qur’an, Hadith, and established Islamic scholarship — giving readers confidence in both the knowledge and the approach.

Who will benefit most from this book?

Anyone who has ever faced illness — their own or a loved one’s — and wanted to understand it through the lens of faith will find this book not just informative, but genuinely comforting and clarifying.