The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 59)
The Innate Healing and Divine Wisdom in the Human Health System
Among the wonders of human creation and the signs of the greatness of Allah the Almighty is the intricate and precise system of health and healing within the human body — a system so complex that not even modern medicine or human intellect has been able to fully comprehend its depth. One of the most remarkable aspects of this system is the phenomenon that modern scientists call “self-healing” or “natural recovery” — a phenomenon that reflects the divine wisdom and providential design embedded in human creation.
The Limitations of Modern Medicine and the Role of Innate Healing
Despite its astonishing advances in pharmaceuticals and technology, medical science can only cure about one-quarter of all diseases. The remaining three-quarters either have no cure at all or are healed naturally by the body itself.
This reality has led scientists and physicians to encounter countless cases that defy scientific explanation — patients suffering from severe and chronic illnesses who suddenly recover without any medical intervention.
Such “mysterious healing” has been observed throughout the history of medicine, but many Western doctors, unable to explain it scientifically, have either ignored it or attributed it to non-scientific causes.
However, the truth is that this healing arises from the mercy and divine management of Allah the Almighty, as the Noble Qur’an relates from Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH): “ٱلَّذِی خَلَقَنِی فَهُوَ یَهدِینِ * وَٱلَّذِی هُوَ یُطعِمُنِی وَیَسقِینِ * وَإِذَا مَرِضتُ فَهُوَ یَشفِینِ * وَٱلَّذِی یُمِیتُنِی ثُمَّ یُحیِینِ * وَٱلَّذِی أَطمَعُ أَن یَغفِرَ لِی خَطِیئَتِی یَومَ ٱلدِّینِ”(1) Translation: “(He is) the One Who created me and guides me; and the One Who feeds me and gives me drink; and when I fall ill, it is He Who heals me; and the One Who causes me to die, then brings me to life; and the One from Whom I hope that He will forgive my sin on the Day of Judgment.”
The Self-Healing System and the Role of the Immune Network
One of the most remarkable mechanisms that Allah the Almighty has placed within the human body to accomplish natural healing is the immune system. This astonishing system has no fixed location and is not confined to a single organ; rather, it is an intelligent, fluid, and dynamic network that operates throughout the entire body.
Key Characteristics of the Immune System
Recognition of Foreign Invaders:
The defensive cells are capable of identifying any foreign cell or pathogenic organism and destroying it.
Defensive Memory:
The system “does not forget.” After encountering a pathogen once, it records its pattern and, upon future encounters, reacts more quickly and powerfully. The importance of this feature is clearly seen in vaccination.
Stages of Production and Training:
Defensive cells are produced in the bone marrow and trained in the thymus gland, a sort of “school” for developing and educating defensive cells.
Defense Against Cancer:
One of its major duties is detecting and destroying cancerous cells before they can multiply.
Identification and Destruction Cells:
Some immune cells specialize in identifying foreign agents and transmitting their coded information to “defense factories” to produce antibodies. (2)
Others are the “warriors” that carry these antibodies into battle, while another group acts as “phagocytes” — engulfing and digesting invading organisms.
One of the deadliest diseases that attacks this sacred system is AIDS (HIV). This virus destroys the body’s defensive cells, thereby eliminating its natural ability to heal itself.
The Astonishing Aspects of the Immune System
Among the fascinating behaviors of the immune system is that, after quitting smoking, certain cells travel to the lungs and clean up the toxic residues caused by smoke.
In the 1970s, scientists discovered a special type of immune cell that can recognize and eliminate cells even before they become cancerous. These cells are known as “natural killers.”
Yet, behind all these intricate and wondrous processes lies a hidden force that forms, develops, and commands this system from beyond the human body. Western physicians cannot explain what this force is — but faith declares with certainty: this force is none other than the divine will and power of Allah.
Psychological and Spiritual Factors in Strengthening or Weakening Natural Healing
The performance of the immune system is not dependent solely on physiological factors; rather, psychological and spiritual states also play a major role in strengthening or weakening it.
Factors that weaken it: sadness, anxiety, depression, and mental stress.
Factors that strengthen it: hope, peace, love, contentment, faith, and trust in Allah.
Therefore, the Qur’an warns: “فَلَا تَدعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلمُعَذَّبِینَ”(3) Translation: “Do not call upon or worship any other deity along with Allah, for if you do, you will be among those who are punished.”
And it also says: “وَلِلَّهِ غَیبُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلأَرضِ وَإِلَیهِ یُرجَعُ ٱلأَمرُ كُلُّهُۥ فَٱعبُدهُ وَتَوَكَّل عَلَیهِ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعمَلُونَ”(4) Translation: “The unseen of the heavens and the earth belong to Allah alone, and all matters are returned to Him (for all affairs of the universe are directed by His command). So worship Him and rely upon Him, and your Lord is never unaware of what you do.”
In truth, “Tawheed (monotheism) and faith lead to health”, for confidence, spiritual security, and trust in Allah the Almighty are all factors that strengthen the immune system. In contrast, anxiety, fear, and hatred are its greatest enemies.
The Reality of “No Contagion” (La ‘Adwa) in the Light of Prophetic Medicine and Modern Science
One of the well-known sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) states:
“لَا عَدْوَى وَلَا صَفَرَ وَلَا هَامَةَ”(5)
Translation: “There is no contagious disease (that spreads without Allah’s permission as you imagine), no ‘Safar’ (superstitious disease of the stomach), and no ‘Hamah’ (superstitious belief in the owl or the returning of the dead as an owl).”)
At first glance, this hadith seems to deny the transmission of diseases. But how does this statement of the Prophet (PBUH) reconcile with other hadiths — such as his command to avoid regions afflicted by plague?
The answer lies in understanding the precision of the Prophet’s words (PBUH). He did not say that diseases never pass from one person to another; rather, he meant that contagion alone does not cause illness.
Contagion is merely a means of transmission, not the ultimate cause of disease.
Modern science confirms this meaning:
A microbe may pass from a sick person to a healthy one — yet the healthy person remains unaffected.
It may pass from one healthy person to another — and still cause illness.
Sometimes microbes not only fail to cause disease but even strengthen the immune system.
Thus, the words of the Prophet (PBUH) reflect the utmost scientific precision.
As he also said in another hadith: “فر من المجذوم فرارك من الأسد.”(6) Translation: “Flee from the one afflicted with leprosy as you would flee from a lion.”
That is, precaution is obligatory but know that the true cause of disease is not merely the microbe, it is the decree and will of Allah.
The Prophetic Preventive Measures Against Diseases
The sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) regarding the prevention of diseases contain highly precise scientific insights:
Encouragement of Wudu (ablution):
In Wudu, one washes the hands, face, nose, mouth, and ears — the main entry points for germs — five times a day.
Prohibition of blowing into or breathing inside drinking vessels:
Modern science now confirms that this is one of the major ways germs are transmitted.
Recommendation to use Miswak (tooth stick):
It has now been proven that Miswak contains natural antibacterial substances that protect oral health.
Instruction to separate the sick from the healthy and the prohibition of entering plague-infected areas.
All of these prophetic teachings — issued fourteen centuries ago — today form the very foundation of infection prevention and disease control in modern medicine.
In summary, the phenomenon of “self-healing” (natural recovery) is not only a biological and scientific reality but also a sign of the boundless wisdom and mercy of Allah in the creation of mankind.
Both the immune system and the psychological forces within the human being operate under divine command, and their harmony ensures human health and balance.
Therefore, faith, trust in Allah, spiritual tranquility, adherence to hygienic principles, and the use of the body’s natural capacities are all parts of Allah’s divine system of healing.
And how beautifully the Noble Qur’an declares: “وَإِذَا مَرِضتُ فَهُوَ یَشفِینِ”(7) Translation: “And when I fall ill, it is He Who heals me.”
Ultimately, science and faith join hands to teach humanity that the true source of healing is neither medicine nor physician — but Allah, the Healer Himself. (8)
The term antibody (in Arabic: پادتن) in medical science refers to proteins produced by the immune system to identify and destroy pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and toxins.
Surah Ash-Shu‘ara, verse 213.
Surah Hud, verse 123.
Sahih al-Bukhari, Chapter: “No Safar (which is a disease affecting the stomach),” Hadith No. 5387, Vol. 5, p. 2161.
Musnad Ahmad, Hadith of Abu Rimthah (MABH) from the Prophet (PBUH), Hadith No. 9722, Vol. 15, p. 449, Dar al-Risalah edition.
Surah Ash-Shu‘ara, verse 80.
Summary extracted from: Mawsu‘at al-I‘jaz al-‘Ilmi fi al-Qur’an wa al-Sunnah, Vol. 1, pp. 188–194.
