Preventive Health, Islamic Perspective

Preventive Health In the light of Prophet Mohammad’s teachings

Definition of Health- according to Islamic Teachings Health is a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing, which must be safeguarded not only through the maintenance of a health preserving regime at the personal/individual level, but also through the establishment of a health-protective and promoting family system and a health-protective and promoting social system.”

We can sum up the Islamic concept of Health as follows: 1. Health is one of the most important constituents of Comprehensive Peace; peace is not separable from health; 2. Health governs the overall system and is not governed by the economics; 3. Health can be defined as a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being, which is to be safeguarded not only through maintenance of a health-protective personal/individual regime but also through the establishment of a health protective and promoting family system and a health protective and promoting social system; 4. No substance or practices that seriously endanger health can be allowed in the system; (Fundamental Prohibitions) 5. There is a need to change society for the betterment of general health; the solutions to medical problems caused by social practices must be tackled socially also and not simply medically. (Therapeutic Sociology)

Two areas of Health Hygiene and preventive health Medical care of diseased which includes diagnosis, treatment both curative and supportive.

Primary versus Secondary Prevention Primary prevention can be defined as the avoidance of such activities and attempts to prevent such environmental conditions to emerge and grow as may be conducive to the development of diseases. Secondary prevention can be defined as the prevention of diseases through the use of certain materials, medicines, vaccines, or equipment.

Secular corporate world focuses upon secondary prevention with big profits Mouth hygiene and body hygiene have been emphasized upon as these propel the sales of thousands of varieties of tooth-brushes, tooth-pastes, lotions, soap, sanitary pads etc. Sexual hygiene ,i.e., having sex only with one’s spouse, avoiding rectal sex and sex during menses and immediate postnatal period is not emphasized. Only the secondary preventive methods that advocate the use of condoms were chosen to allay the fears of the promiscuous and the pervert and those coming in their contact. The death and destruction on a much greater scale due to alcoholism have never bothered them.

Narrow Concept of Hygiene in Secular Corporate world Physical hygiene is of utmost importance for the corporate world because it suits them; mental hygiene, sexual hygiene and social hygiene have no meaning for them, as they pose serious threats to their vested interests. If internal hygiene is promoted tobacco and alcohol industries will nosedive If sexual hygiene is applied many industries including film, pornography, prostitution and tourism will become defunct if a campaign for social hygiene ensues, gambling industries will perish. It is the health of industries not that of human beings that matters.

Islam promotes comprehensive plan for primary prevention and hygiene • Total ban on alcohol, flesh of dead animals, pork, drugs, tobacco (it should be declared prohibited in accordance with the principles laid down by Quran), blood, etc. (Internal Physical Hygiene) • Regular bath after impurities, 5 times washing of the exposed organs of the body, cleaning of the area after each passing of urine and defecation, cleaning of hands after touching any unclean things including animals like dogs, maintenance of mouth hygiene through miswak (brushing of teeth), etc (External Physical Hygiene) • Sex only with spouses of opposite sex, total ban on promiscuity, homosexuality, sex with animals, incest, pedophilia, anal sex and sex during menses and immediate postnatal period, washing of mouth and private parts soon after intercourse, ( Sexual Hygiene)

• Total ban on any such activities that can incite people to indulge in forbidden activities, like pornography, watching sex and violence, reading materials that can lead to corrupting thoughts. (Mental Hygiene) • Regular prayers, tasbihat (repeated rehearsing of God’s Attributes, invocations, preaching to others, meditation, charity (Spiritual hygiene) • Cleaning of clothes, surroundings, environment (Environmental Hygiene) • Ban on usury, bribery, commercialization of forbidden practices, economic exploitation, murders, spreading mischief, rumors, promotion of brotherhood, mutual co-operation, well-established marriage system, proper care of children, etc. (Social Hygiene).

Islam also promotes secondary prevention vaccines, safe drinking water, condoms in special circumstances, use of pastes and creams; Circumcision that prevents from Phimosis, Paraphimosis, sex transmitted diseases including AIDS and the Cancer of Cervix (among women) Miswak (Brushing of teeth), which has a remarkable preventive effect on the infective diseases of teeth, gums and several internal organs, is also a part of secondary prevention;

Fundamental Duties in Islam: Impact on Health Islamic system is three-dimensional giving equal importance to: Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Fundamental Prohibitions. This citadel of Peace has Duties as the Foundation, Rights as the Roof and Prohibitions as Walls. The secular systems, on the other hand, stress only Rights, undermine Duties and ignore Prohibitions altogether

Fundamental Duties Iman (Faith), Salaat (Prayer), Saum (Fasting), Zakah (Charity) and Hajj (Pilgrimage) are regarded as 5 pillars of Islam. There are other Islamic duties as well like gaining knowledge, striving in the cause of God (Jihad), inviting others to Islam (Dawah), promoting Good (Amr bil maruf) and campaigning against Forbidden (nahi anil munkar

Islamic prayer (Salaat) is preceded by Wudu “ O believers! When you prepare for prayer, wash your faces and your hands to the elbows; and Rub your heads and your feet to the ankles. If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes from offices of nature, or you have been in contact with women, and you find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, God does not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favor to you, so that you may be grateful.” (Chapter 5, Verse 6)

Homonculus, a sensory map of your body.

“Homonculus” Homonculus means a tiny man within man, which controls him. 1-The mapping is not in the order like head, face, trunk, hands, foot etc, but according to the spinal enervation. So is the order in the Wudu 2. Mouth is rinsed first and the face is washed later. This is exactly the sequence the homunculus shows. 3. Again, instead of rubbing head along with the face, hands and forearms are washed first and then head is rubbed. This again is according to the sequence shown in the map. 4. In Wudu, first, hands are washed followed by wrist, forearm and elbow. Homonculus again depicts the same sequence, not from elbow to hand.

Medical benefits of Wudu 80% of Homunculus, the mini-man controlling the man from inside the brain gets activated. 1. It helps in countering the skin cancers. 2. The recurrent washing of the skin and the removal of sweat, dust and other chemicals will also decrease the chances of infective and allergic disorders of the skin. These include furuncles, pyomas, deep-seated abscesses, rashes, allergic dermatitis, etc.

Medical Benefits of Wudu 3. Oral Hygiene is another important result of the Wudu . The rinsing of the mouth and the brushing of teeth (miswak) are sure to cause a substantial decrease in all the diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums. The Prophet said: "If I had not thought this to be an unbearable hardship for my followers I would have prescribed the use of Miswak before every prayer." (Bukhari, Muslim)”. It was narrated by the Lady Aisha (RA) that the Prophet (SA) said; "Miswak is purification of mouth and gratification to the Lord."

Medical Benefits of Wudu 4. Wudu has also a very direct relationship with the practice of Istanja, a process in which genitals are washed after urinating. If the drops of urine remain on the body, it signals an impurity, which must be removed as a precondition for the Wudu There is a direct link between Istanja habits and the urinary tract Infections. UTI’s can be prevented with istanja.

Salat (Prayer) The Quran says: • For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times. (4: 103/A) • Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before God in a devout (frame of mind). (2: 238/A) • And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night. (11: 114/A)

One unit (Rakat) of Salat uses all the major muscles of the body and activates all the motor system. When a person raises his hands for Takbeer at the beginning of the prayer, it involves the following actions: • The abduction of the shoulders, controlled by C5 (C here stands for the cervical part of the spinal cord.); • The flexion of the elbow, controlled by C5,6; • The extension of the wrist, controlled by C7,8; • The adduction of fingers, controlled by C8, T1. (T stands for Thoracic)

In Ruku and Sujood When one goes to Ruku (bending), the movements of the arm, trunk and hip involve C5 to L2, 3. Similarly, the movements involving Sajdah (prostration) have the following components and the nerve controls: • Flexion of hips L1,2,3 (L means lumbar) • Extension of knee L3, 4 • Flexion of ankles L4,5 • Extension of Hips L5, S1 • Eversion of feet L5, S1 • Plantar flexion S1,2

Health benefits of Salat 1-It has already been shown that the Wudu protects skin from the infective and cancerous disorders, helps in preserving high oral hygiene and also helps in keeping the internal infections at bay, particularly the urinary tract infections. The feeling of freshness that goes along with the Wudu is an added advantage

Salaat provides for the activation of motor system and other vital body functions 2. Different postures of the prayer have been designed in a way that most of the motor system of the brain gets activated and an overwhelming majority of the muscles of the body are brought into action. 3-In the sujood posture, the cardiac output, the respiratory function, the amount of oxygen in the blood and the supply to the brain are at their optimum levels

Salaat provides repetitive exercises throughout the day and night 4-Salat comprises a certain number of units (rakahs), which are repeated several times thus repeating postures from standing to bending to prostrating to sitting a number of times. This ensures several rounds of exercises involving the activation of different muscles and motor areas in the brain and spinal cord as well as increased circulation of blood to different areas in a rhythmic pattern.

Salaat, good exercise for the eyes 5- Salaat is also a very good exercise for the eyes are frequently changing from positions of full convergence to half convergence to Full divergence, and the vice versa. This is sure to strengthen the Power of Accommodation of the eyes to a great degree.

Fasting or Siyaam 1. A full month every year is specified for fasting; fasting in other months is not obligatory. 2. Fasting is only for the day and the average duration of a fast varies from 11-15 hours, being obviously longer in summers. 3. During the period of fasting, no food or drink can be taken; 4. The believers have been advised to take a wholesome food just before the start of the fasting time as well as immediately after the expiry of the fasting time. 5. During the month of fasting, food (lot of milk and fruits) rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals is preferred.

Health benefits of fasting 1-Islamic fasting being only about 11-15 hour long, it in fact has a minor depleting effect on the storage of the carbohydrate and no starving effect at all. But with as many as 29-30 fasts in continuation, the net effect is some loss of stored carbohydrate; there is hardly any possibility of protein depletion particularly because protein rich diet is taken in plenty during the month

Fasting promotes detoxification 2. Fasting is said to increase the process of detoxification. Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins; the elimination normally takes place through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin. 3. Hunger is a natural healer, which is the reason why a person develops loss of appetite when ill.

4. Abnormal growths within the body are not protected to the extent the normal tissues are protected and are therefore more likely to be autolysed in order to fulfil the energy needs of the body. 5. Growth hormones are also known to be released more during fasting.

Fasting promotes anti aging hormone release and strengthens immune system 6. An anti-aging hormone is also released more rapidly. Researchers have argued that the only reliable method of increasing age is under-nutrition without malnutrition. This is exactly what the Prophetic traditions prescribe. 7. During fasting, the energy consumption is reduced in the gastrointestinal system and is partly diverted to the Immune system strengthening its effectiveness.

Fundamental Prohibitions in Islam and their impact on preventive health I) Drinking and gambling: Quran says; • They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: “In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.” (2: 219) • O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper. Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of God, and from prayer. (5: 90-91)

Absolute prohibition of intoxicants in Islam Prohibition in Islam means prohibition on manufacturing, storing, selling, drinking or serving all alcoholic beverages anywhere on any occasion to anybody. Drinking has been labelled as Ummul Khhabais, that is the mother of all evils, in the Prophetic traditions, and the investigations have clearly established that drinking is Ummul Khhabais indeed.

ALCOHOL RELATED PROBLEMS Alcoholism is divided into two groups: A-substance-use disorders :It include dependence and abuse; manifested by tolerance, withdrawal, inability to fulfill role obligations, recurrent substance related legal problems and social and interpersonal problems. B-substance induced disorders which include intoxication, withdrawal, delirium, dementia, amnesiac disorder, psychotic disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, sexual dysfunction, and sleep disorder. Cirrhosis , cancers (liver and laryngeal), heart diseases, maternal and child health problem (low birth weight and spontaneous abortion), injuries (falls, burns, or work-related), accidents (water and auto transport) and violence (suicide, assault and child abuse). Alcohol leads to traffic accidents, increased risks of all sex-transmitted diseases including AIDS and suicides. In women, it is related to several cancers like those of breast and liver. Maternal consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects.

Gambling The National Research Council of US states that “many families of pathological gamblers suffer from a variety of financial, physical, and emotional problems, including divorce, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. The social problems due to gambling are even severer impacting families, relatives, employers. Between 15 and 20 million Americans are displaying some signs of a gambling addiction. As the opportunities for gambling become more commonplace, it appears likely that the number of people who will develop gambling problems also will increase."

Sexual corruption Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils). (17: 32/A) • If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for God is Oft-returning, Most Merciful. (4: 16/A) • O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. (4: 19/A) • But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is God, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them)... (24: 33/A)

The problems related to prohibited sexual practices It has been killing millions of men, women and children, exterminating family system, desecrating the sanctity of women, denigrating them into prostitutes and porn actors, transforming them into single mothers, divorcees and unwed mothers; and killing fetuses, converting children into half-orphans and making them vulnerable to all sorts of abuses.

Physical problems related to prohibited practices AIDS, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chancroid, Lymphogranuloma venereum, Herpes, Reiter’s Disease, Hepatitis B and many other diseases Psychiatric disorders related to unhealthy sexual practices and extramarital lesions include Nervousness, Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal tendencies

Forbidden degrees in marriage Prohibited to you (for marriage) are:- your mothers, daughters, sisters; father’s sisters, mother’s sisters; brother’s daughters, sister’s daughters; foster- mothers (who gave you suck), foster-sisters; your wives’ mothers; your step-daughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom ye have gone in,- no prohibition if ye have not gone in;- (those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from your loins; and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time, except for what is past...(4: 23 ) This automatically decreases the chances of incest, sexual abuse and rapes of women and children by close relatives.

Eatables Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than God; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless ye are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. (5: 3)

About Hygienic food Say: Who has forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of God, which He has produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He has provided) for sustenance... (7: 32 ) Quran talks of variety of food including milk, flesh, fruits, honey and vegetables Prophet (SAW) told that one should avoid over eating and stop eating while still hungry.

Emphasis on physical exercise and fitness Prophet (SAW) said, ”Your body has a right upon you.” The Prophetic traditions are supportive of exercises like swimming, wrestling, horse riding, throwing spears, archery, racing and other sports.

Therapeutic Sociology for comprehensive health plan • To ensure that the supremacy of health is never compromised with in the affairs at different levels: individual, family, social, national and international; • To campaign for establishing and strengthening a health-protective and promoting family system; • To campaign for establishing and strengthening a health-protective and promoting social system; • To ensure that the national and international laws are rewritten to safeguard health;

Therapeutic Sociology • To ensure that substances and practices that are decidedly dangerous for human beings are not allowed to exist or at least prosper; • To conduct health impact studies of different socio-economic developments and spread awareness about them; • To aggressively campaign against the institutions that are involved in practices that increase dangers for the lives of human beings; • To create atmospheric and environmental conditions suitable for promotion of health;

Therapeutic Sociology • To promote a model of family health that is conducive for the health of men, women and children; • To focus on both the primary and secondary preventive methods; • To unveil the designs of economic and political forces, so that they are not able to do anything that endangers health in any way; • To promote such customs and rituals as are beneficial for individual’s health, family health and the health of the masses; • To lay an equal stress on the survival and health of all the human beings in different stages of lives: fetus, pediatric, adolescent, youth, middle aged and geriatric; • To lay an equal stress on the health of both the genders: mean and women

Islamic principles if implemented, could save more than 80 million lives annually • 2 million murders • 2.2 million suicides • 5 million deaths from AIDS • 5 million deaths from smoking • 2 million deaths associated with alcohol • 2 million deaths associated with smoking, gambling and drugs • 70 million cases of feticide

Two Challenges to the Islamic Concept 1-An environment full of disrespect and misconceptions for the role of religion specially Islam. The intellectual mind tends to reject anything that is primarily based on the religious texts. Quran’s concept of health is to be promoted in a way that it does not look to be a part of any political designs to impose Islam. The world is to be convinced that it is in the interest of the mankind to benefit from it. The medical fraternity in particular is to be convinced that if we want a healthier world, Quran’s theory of health is the best and most potent option

2nd-Biggest challenge to Islamic Concept is from the forces of globalization They will not let it even a subject of serious deliberation, as the application of this concept would signal doom for their commercial interests Muslims must pursue an aggressive policy of promoting all the aspects of the theory and their implications. A very serious endeavor has to be made to earn the support of other religions, especially Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism.

OUR TASK Let’s all unite in our endeavor to make the world cleaner, healthier and more peaceful! Allah (SWT) says in the Quran, “Invite towards the Abode of Peace”. Islam means Peace as well as submission to God; without submission to God, Comprehensive Peace cannot be achieved in the world

Preventive Health, Islamic Perspective

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