Author: Mufti Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 64)
Hygiene, Mental Balance, and Healthy Nutrition in Maintaining Human Health
Diseases Caused by Uncleanliness and Poor Hygiene
From the perspective of medical science and international health organizations, diseases resulting from uncleanliness are considered one of the most significant threats to human health worldwide. According to accurate statistics collected by reputable global public health institutions, millions of people around the world annually suffer from diseases caused by contaminated water, food, and hands.
Based on these reports, each year approximately 30 million people contract typhoid fever, 600 million people suffer from intestinal inflammations, 250 million people from dysentery, 7 million people from cholera, and 5 million people from viral hepatitis. Among these patients, 3 million people die each year, half of whom are children. These alarming figures stand in contrast to media coverage, which tends to focus more on political or natural disasters and less on victims of poor hygiene.
The primary root of these diseases lies in neglecting personal hygiene, especially washing hands before meals and maintaining complete cleanliness after using the toilet. In this regard, the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over fourteen centuries ago remarkably aligns with modern findings in health science. As stated in a Hadith:
“Barakat al-ta‘am al-wudu’ qablahu wa al-wudu’ ba‘dahu”[1] – “The blessing of food is in washing the hands before and after it.”
The PBUH) also prohibited blowing into water or drinks, as it can transmit germs and cause disease. A Hadith states: “On the authority of Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri: The PBUH) forbade blowing into drinks. A man asked: ‘What if I see dust in the container?’ He said: ‘Pour it out.’ The man said: ‘I cannot drink with a single breath.’ He (PBUH) said: ‘Then move the cup away from your mouth.’”[2]
He also advised avoiding drinking from a chipped edge of a container, as germs accumulate in those areas.
“On the authority of Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) forbade drinking from a chipped cup and blowing into drinks.”[3]
Additionally, it is a confirmed Sunnah to keep nails short and clean fingers and knuckles thoroughly.
Another Hadith instructs: “Do not urinate in stagnant water and then bathe in it.”[4]
And also: “Avoid the three cursed things: defecating at water sources, in shaded resting areas, and on public roads.”[5]
These precise public health instructions were given centuries before the discovery of microbiology, demonstrating the comprehensiveness of Islam in promoting physical and mental health. As the Qur’an states: “Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.”[6]
Neuroses (Nervous Disorders and Anxiety)
In psychology, “neurosis” refers to a type of mental disorder with no identifiable organic or anatomical cause. Essentially, it is a functional disorder, in which an individual, despite having a sound mind, experiences severe psychological stress and anxiety.
Among various types, anxiety neurosis is the most common, where the person constantly feels fear, worry, and anticipates danger without any real cause.
One writer recount in the memoirs of his wealthy friend: “I live in constant fear; fearful of people, things, and even myself. Neither wealth nor status, health, masculinity, women, love, nor colorful parties give me peace. I am disgusted with everything, having experienced it all. I am disgusted with myself… and I fear myself. Do you not see shadows surrounding me from all sides? Do you not feel fear opening its mouth to swallow me? Why this fear?
I have no grief that deserves sorrow, for everything is at my disposal. Then why do I fear?
Perhaps because there is nothing left to fear! I fear the unknown I do not know, the hidden within me. I am lost in life, for I have reached its peak! Now life itself is my greatest enemy. Yes, I fear life itself.”
This example clearly shows that without faith and spirituality, a person does not feel secure or at peace even with abundant material resources. Psychology states humans need security, love, and success, but the primary need is faith. Faith is the source of inner peace and the foundation of love and security.
As the Qur’an states: “Those who believe, and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.”[7]
From a psychological perspective, fear of Allah is constructive and positive, as it encourages avoidance of sin and provides peace of conscience, whereas fear of anything other than Allah causes anxiety, insecurity, and nervous disorders.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever among you wakes up with a healthy body, secure in his surroundings, and has sufficient provision for the day, it is as if the whole world is granted to him.”[8]
Indeed, peace and faith are the two main pillars of human mental and physical health.
Diseases Caused by Dietary Fiber Deficiency
Recent nutritional research shows that one of the major health problems of the modern era is a deficiency of dietary fiber (plant cellulose) [9] in food. In the past, humans consumed grains and fruits naturally and completely, but today, many of these foods are refined: white sugar, white flour, filtered juices, and processed foods have been stripped of natural fiber.
Fiber, once considered insignificant, actually plays a vital role in human health. The first consequence of removing fiber from the diet is chronic constipation, as fiber stimulates natural bowel movements.
Fiber also absorbs water, softens stool, and facilitates digestion. Moreover, it can absorb excess blood cholesterol and prevent its deposition in artery walls, which is crucial in preventing heart disease and arteriosclerosis.
Lack of fiber in the diet is also linked to higher risk of colon cancer, gallstones, varicose veins, and appendicitis.
Therefore, returning to a natural diet, as ordained by God, is essential. As the Qur’an states: “So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [This is] the natural disposition Allah has instilled in mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah.”[10]
Thus, it is important to avoid removing natural components of food, especially fiber, and to consume food in its natural form. Researchers consider this discovery one of the greatest milestones in nutritional science and emphasize that sustainable health is achievable only by returning to the natural order of creation.[11]
Continues…
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References:
[1] Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Food, Chapter on Washing Hands Before Eating, Hadith 3761, Vol. 3, p. 346, edited by Muhyi al-Din Abdul Hamid.
[2] Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapter on Disliking Blowing into Drinks, Hadith 1996, Vol. 4, p. 23.
[3] Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Drinks, Chapter on Drinking from a Chipped Cup, Hadith 3722, Vol. 3, p. 390.
[4] Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablution, Chapter: Urinating in Stagnant Water, Hadith 236, Vol. 1, p. 94.
[5] Sunan Ibn Majah, Chapters on Ablution, Chapter on Prohibition of Defecating on Public Roads, Hadith 328, p. 118.
[6] Qur’an 2:222
[7] Qur’an 13:28
[8] Sunan Ibn Majah, Chapter on Life of the Family of Muhammad ﷺ, Hadith 4141, p. 876
[9] Cellulose is a polysaccharide made of glucose molecules and is the main component of plant cell walls.
[10] Qur’an 30:30
[11] Summary from: Encyclopedia of Scientific Miracles in the Qur’an and Sunnah, Vol. 1, pp. 214–221
