Being unwell: what Islam teaches
The Short Answer
- Islamic teaching encourages you to seek treatment when you are ill.
- If illness makes it too hard to stand for prayer, you can pray sitting, or lying on your side.
- If illness makes fasting too hard, you may be excused from it.
- Most illnesses are not named in the Qur'an or hadith, but the ten teachings below apply to any illness.
At a glance
Islamic and Medical Guidance:Aligned
- Established
- Direct
- Agreed
What Islamic sources say
These teachings come from the Qur'an and from hadith, the recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Each one gives an English meaning, the source, and how strong the evidence is, with the original Arabic for verses of the Qur'an.
Getting treatment
1. Seeking treatment is encouraged
Some Bedouins asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) whether they should use medical treatment. He replied:
Seek treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without making a treatment for it, except one: old age.
Seeing a doctor and taking medicine are in line with Islamic teaching.
- Strong
- Contemporary ruling
- No clinical claim
2. Tie your camel, and trust in Allah: tawakkul (تَوَكُّل, trust in Allah)
A man asked whether he should tie up his camel and trust in Allah, or leave it loose and trust in Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Tie it, and trust in Allah.
Trusting Allah and taking practical steps, such as taking your medicines, go together.
- Moderate
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
3. Saving one life is like saving all people
This verse describes a law given to the Children of Israel.
وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا
…and whoever saves a life, it is as if they had saved all people.
Protecting life, including your own, is one of the aims of Islamic law.
- Strong
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
When illness affects fasting, prayer or medicines
4. Fasting rules are eased when you are ill
This verse is about fasting in Ramadan.
وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ
Whoever is ill or travelling can make up the same number of days later. Allah wants ease for you. He does not want hardship for you.
If you are ill, you can delay fasting and make up the days later. People who cannot fast at all have other options.
- Established
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
See also: Who is exempt from fasting
5. You are only asked for what you can do
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear.
When you are ill, religious duties are adjusted to what you are able to do.
- Established
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
Imran ibn Husain had haemorrhoids and asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) how to pray. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him:
Pray standing. If you cannot, pray sitting. If you cannot, pray lying on your side.
6. Real need can make the forbidden allowed: darura (ضَرُورَة, necessity)
This verse begins by listing foods Muslims may not eat, including pork.
فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
But if someone is forced by need, without wanting it and without going beyond what they need, there is no sin on them. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Scholars apply this principle to some medicines that contain pork-derived ingredients or alcohol.
- Established
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
See also: Medicines
7. No harm, and no returning harm
Ibn Majah records this ruling of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a chapter on harm between neighbours.
There should be no harm, and no returning harm.
Scholars use this principle when a practice could damage health, yours or someone else's.
- Moderate
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
Looking after body and mind
8. Your body has a right over you
Abdullah ibn Amr was fasting every day and praying all night. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him:
Fast on some days, and not on others. Pray at night, and sleep too. Your body has a right over you.
Looking after your body is part of Islamic teaching, even when you want to do more worship. In old age, Abdullah said he wished he had accepted the easier way the Prophet (peace be upon him) offered him.
- Strong
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
9. Eat and drink without excess
وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا
Eat and drink, but do not be excessive.
The verse tells people to eat and drink, and not to overdo it.
- Established
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
See also: Eating in moderation
10. Illness can wipe away sins
No tiredness, illness, worry, sadness, hurt or distress befalls a Muslim, not even a thorn that pricks them, without Allah wiping away some of their sins because of it.
The hadith counts worry and sadness alongside physical illness. Patience and treatment go together.
- Established
- Agreed
- No clinical claim
See also: When treatment becomes an obligation
What you can do
- Keep taking the medicines you have been prescribed. If you are worried about an ingredient, such as gelatin or alcohol, speak to your pharmacist or GP before you change anything. See also: Medicines
- If you are ill, you can delay fasting and make up the days later. If you have a long-term condition, talk to your doctor well before Ramadan. See also: Who is exempt from fasting
- Worry and low mood can come with illness. Getting help for them is part of seeking treatment, and your GP is a good place to start. See also: Depression and anxiety
Who else can help
- In hospital, ask the ward staff to contact the chaplaincy team. They can usually put you in touch with a Muslim chaplain.
- If you are struggling to cope, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123, day or night.
Speak to your GP if
- A faith concern is making you unsure about a treatment
- You are thinking of stopping or changing a medicine
- You have a long-term condition and plan to fast
- You want to try a traditional remedy, such as hijama or black seed, alongside your treatment