Author: Mufti Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 61)
For Every Disease There Is a Cure
In Islamic teachings, the issue of treatment and healing of diseases has been addressed in a comprehensive manner. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: «لِكُلِّ دَاءٍ دَوَاءٌ، فَإِذَا أُصِيبَ دَوَاءُ الدَّاءِ بَرَأَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ» [1] Translation: “For every disease there is a cure; when the correct remedy is applied to the disease, healing occurs by the permission of Allah, the Exalted.”
This means that every illness has a remedy, and if that remedy is correctly identified and properly administered, healing will occur by the will of Allah. This noble hadith carries profound and elevated meanings. Firstly, it strengthens the patient’s hope and morale and improves their psychological state, as a positive and calm mindset plays a crucial role in the healing process.
Secondly, this hadith motivates scholars and researchers to seek scientific solutions and medicines for diseases whose treatments have not yet been discovered. Moreover, it emphasizes precision in diagnosing illnesses and in selecting the appropriate medication—both in terms of type and dosage—while also considering minimal side effects. However, it must be understood that accurate diagnosis and proper treatment constitute a necessary condition, but not a sufficient one, since complete healing ultimately depends upon the will and permission of Allah Almighty, as stated in the phrase: “بَرَأَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ” (healing occurs by Allah’s permission).
The perfection of taking practical means is realized when a person turns to Allah Almighty with supplication and places trust in Him, for Allah is the ultimate cause and origin of all effects. The Prophet (PBUH) said: «دَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ» [2] Translation: “Treat your sick through charity.”
He (PBUH) also said: «صَدَقَةُ السِّرِّ تُطْفِئُ غَضَبَ الرَّبِّ» [3] Translation: “Secret charity extinguishes the wrath of the Lord.”
And he (PBUH) said: «بَاكِرُوا بِالصَّدَقَةِ، فَإِنَّ الْبَلَاءَ لَا يَتَخَطَّاهَا» [4] Translation: “Hasten to give charity, for calamity does not pass beyond it.”
Charity and benevolence are means for removing afflictions and illnesses and are also manifestations of reliance upon Allah and purification of the soul.
Religious acts of worship and obligatory duties likewise play a significant role in maintaining physical and psychological health. When acts of worship are performed correctly and sincerely, they elevate the human personality, illuminate the heart, and attract spiritual tranquility. Worship sharpens awareness of the heart and mind and establishes psychological and intellectual balance.
When worship is performed properly, the believer attains insight, broad vision, sound judgment, and noble character. Such a person becomes firm like a mountain, strong like a rock, radiant like the sun, deep like the sea, clear like the sky, refreshing like spring, pure like water, and gentle and compassionate in heart. Conversely, when a person deviates from their innate disposition and engages in sin and injustice, their inner balance is disrupted, leading to depression and psychological illnesses—what psychologists and physicians refer to as psychological stress, which is the root of many diseases.
Many physical illnesses originate from psychological pressure and muscular inactivity, such as rapid heartbeat, cardiac arrhythmia, arterial constriction, stress-induced hypertension, digestive ulcers, allergies, nervous disorders, and paralysis of psychosomatic origin. When a person reconciles with Allah, repents, and engages in righteous deeds, they experience lightness and inner peace, and the heaviness and darkness over their heart are removed. Psychological health directly impacts physical health and reduces many symptoms of psychosomatic illnesses.
Practical acts of worship—such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and almsgiving—not only draw a person closer to Allah Almighty but also contribute significantly to bodily health. Allah the Exalted says: «خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِمْ بِهَا» [5] Translation: “Take charity from their wealth to purify them and to elevate them thereby.”
And He says: «وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ ۖ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ» [6] Translation: “Establish prayer; indeed, prayer restrains from immorality and wrongdoing.”
And He says: «يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ» [7] Translation: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain piety.”
Beyond their spiritual and ethical benefits, these acts of worship also produce physical effects. The movements of prayer—standing, bowing, and prostration—activate the muscular and vascular systems, contributing to cardiovascular health and proper blood circulation. Ablution and bodily cleanliness, which are integral to daily worship, prevent many illnesses.
An illustrative practical example is the treatment of migraine in a Syrian woman, where a Western physician, after examination, advised her: “Perform prayer regularly,” because bowing and prostration help dilate cerebral blood vessels and improve blood flow to the brain, thereby reducing pain and illness.
Thus, Islamic teachings provide both spiritual and psychological healing while also safeguarding physical health. Islamic medicine is not limited to pharmacological treatment alone; rather, it encompasses psychological reform, piety, worship, and the observance of social and personal responsibilities as effective preventive and therapeutic measures. Within this framework, faith, righteous deeds, charity, supplication, prayer, and ablution function as means of spiritual and physical well-being and as instruments for preventing and treating diseases. Hence, the Prophet (PBUH) said: «لِكُلِّ دَاءٍ دَوَاءٌ»— “For every disease there is a cure”—the realization of which depends upon Allah’s will and the proper observance of means [8].
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References:
[1] Sahih Muslim, Book of Peace, Chapter: “For every disease there is a cure,” Hadith no. 2204, vol. 7, p. 21.
[2] Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, Book of Funerals, Hadith no. 6593, vol. 3, p. 536.
[3] Al-Mu‘jam al-Saghir by al-Tabarani, Hadith no. 1034, vol. 2, p. 205.
[4] Al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat by al-Tabarani, vol. 6, p. 9.
[5] Qur’an, al-Tawbah: 103.
[6] Qur’an, al-‘Ankabut: 45.
[7] Qur’an, al-Baqarah: 183.
[8] Adapted from: Mawsu‘at al-I‘jaz al-‘Ilmi fi al-Qur’an wa al-Sunnah, vol. 1, pp. 203–207.
