Prophetís guidance concerning feeding the sick with what they like and not forcing them to eat or drink

Assalamualaikum. May Peace and Blessings be upon you. 

I am reading a book, given to me on my birthday by a lovely neighbour of mine.  Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet by Imam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jauziyah

At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah (may Allah have mercy on them) narrated that the Prophet pbuh said:

" Do not force your patients to consume food or drink, for Allah, the Exalted and Most High, feeds them and gives them drink"

When the patient does not feel like eating or drinking, it is because the body is busy fighting the illness, or because the appetite becomes weaker. 

When one is ill, the body is busy maturing and getting rid of the alien, septic substances (toxins) and does not require food or drink. 

When the sick person is forced to eat some food, the body's energy will be divided between digesting the food and concentrating on fending off the invading septic substances that caused the ailment. The patient will be harmed in this case. The conditions will only add strength to the ailment and bring about harm. 

The patient should only eat what is required to sustain his strength and should avoid what can aggravate his condition. The patient should consume light food and juices, including aromatic chicken soup. 

The patient should also refresh his body with good scents and listen to good news. 

The nature of the human body is that of an engine and vehicle that Allah The Almighty has entrusted with preserving the body and its health and guarding it throughout its term. 

The Hadith indicates that the patient could live without nourishment for longer than a healthy person could. 

It is a fact that when the heart is busy with feelings such as joy, sadness or fear, it will be busy attending to these feelings, thus ignoring the need to eat or drink. The body is busy attending whatever troubles it and causes it pain. Every person experiences such moods. 

When the concern is a matter that brings joy, the feeling of elation will be a substitute for the food. Jubilation will fill the body and will energize it, and the blood will be pumped to the various organs until it appears under the skin. In this case, the face will radiate with delight and life. 

When the concern entails sadness, anguish or fear, the body will be busy attending to such concerns and will ignore seeking food, because it's busy conducting its own war. 

The sick person receives supplies from Allah The Almighty that provide nutrition for him, in addition to the nutrition that he receives through the blood. This divine help varies in amount according to the amount of submission and humility that one shows before his Lord, and which will earn him closeness to Him. When the slave is one of the loyal supporters of Allah The Almighty, his heart will receive sufficient support and aid that will nourish his body and strength more than the nourishment that his body receives through material nourishment. The stronger the slave's love, happiness, certainty, eagerness and contentment with Allah becomes, the more divine strength he will feel. This cannot be described with words, nor can any doctor explain or attain knowledge of it on his own. 

Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him

Muhammad pbuh was actually born on 9th Rabi'ul-Awwal, the same year of the Elephant incident (20th or 22nd April 571 C.E.),. (Not on 12th Rabi'ul-Awwal as celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Ibn Sa'd reported that Muhammad's mother said "When he was born, there was a light that issued out of my pudendum and lit the places of Syria". Subhanallah. 

Ameena, Rasulullah (pbuh)'s mother said that being pregnant to him, the gestation period was the easiest, she didn't feel the hardships of being pregnant, and giving birth. 

Our beloved Prophet saw returned to Allah on Monday morning, 12 Rabi'ul-Awwal, 11th year of Al-Hijrah, he was 63yrs and 4 days old.

Al-Anbiya 21:107

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

Ali-Imran 3:132

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

And obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) that you may obtain mercy.

Al-Baqarah 119

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَا تُسْأَلُ عَنْ أَصْحَابِ الْجَحِيمِ

Verily, We have sent thee [O Prophet] with the truth, as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner: and thou shalt not be held accountable for those who are destined for the blazing fire.

Al-Ahzab 33:21

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

Certainly you have in the Apostle of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much.

An-Nisaā' 4: 80

مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا

He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad SAW) as a watcher over them.

An-Nisaa 4:170

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الرَّسُولُ بِالْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَآمِنُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا

O mankind! Verily, there has come to you the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) with the truth from your Lord, so believe in him, it is better for you. But if you disbelieve, then certainly to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Ali-Imran 3:31

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad SAW to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Al-Maeda 5:99

مَّا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا تَكْتُمُونَ

The Messenger's duty [i.e. Our Messenger Muhammad SAW whom We have sent to you, (O mankind)] is but to convey (the Message). And Allah knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal.

Al-A'raf 7:158

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ الَّذِي يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَكَلِمَاتِهِ وَاتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

Say (O Muhammad SAW): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He); It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad SAW) who believes in Allah and His Words [(this Quran), the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and also Allah's Word: "Be!" - and he was, i.e. 'Iesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary)], and follow him so that you may be guided."

Tafsir ibnu kathir

Allah mencintai hambaNya yg BERTAQWA, iaitu yg mengikuti ajaran Rasulullah saw, dan selalu mengimani beliau secara lisan dan perbuatan. 

Kecintaan kpd Rasulullah saw ialah bukti kecintaan kpd Allah swt. 

Dgn demikian, Allah akan mencintai mereka dan selalu melimpahkan rahmat-Nya baik di dunia mahu pun di akhirat. 

Diakhir ayat, Allah menjanjikan bahawa dosa org2 yg mencintai Rasulullah saw akan diampuni.

(Al-Misbāh Al-Munīr fi Tahżīb Tafsir Ibnu Kaśir, 1999: 169)

Pg 106 The miracle reference 

At-Taubah 9:61

وَمِنْهُمُ الَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ النَّبِيَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

And among them are men who hurt the Prophet (Muhammad SAW) and say: "He is (lending his) ear (to every news)." Say: "He listens to what is best for you; he believes in Allah; has faith in the believers; and is a mercy to those of you who believe." But those who hurt Allah's Messenger (Muhammad SAW) will have a painful torment.

9:63

أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّهُ مَن يُحَادِدِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَأَنَّ لَهُ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدًا فِيهَا ذَٰلِكَ الْخِزْيُ الْعَظِيمُ

Know they not that whoever opposes and shows hostility to Allah and His Messenger (SAW), certainly for him will be the Fire of Hell to abide therein. That is extreme disgrace.

An-Nahl 16:89

وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ

And (remember) the Day when We shall raise up from every nation a witness against them from amongst themselves. And We shall bring you (O Muhammad SAW) as a witness against these. And We have sent down to you the Book (the Quran) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims).

Michael H. Hart, an American astrophysicist and author, put Muhammad pbuh at No. 1 in his most notably book (1978) The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History. 

He said "My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level." Michael H. Hart

Recently I received a book as a gift from a dear friend. It is one of the most precious assets I have in my possession to this point of time. So I just would like to share it with you. 

In case the photo is blurry, the tile is 'The Sealed Nectar' (Ar-Raheequl-Makhyum) Boigraphy of the Noble Prophet صَلى االله عَلَيْهِ وسلم

Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri

Islamic University

Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

Published by Darussalam 

Please also listen to the series of inspiring lectures by our eloquent Mufti Ismail Menk titled 'The Life of The Final Messenger' that he rendered during the Ramadhan in 2011. There are 30 lectures altogether. As a start, here's the first of the series

http://youtu.be/F-lKqMJKQpM

Hadith online that I normally refer to:-
1. Hadith Explorer http://quranexplorer.com/Hadith/English/Index.html which you can do search across all four books of Narrators:- Complete Sahih Bukhari, Complete Sahih Muslim, Complete Malik's Muwatta and Partial Abu Dawud

2. Subscribe to Hadith of the Day at http://www.hadithoftheday.com/

Tests in life / Dugaan dan ujian

Mere lip service to Islam will not suffice to win Allah's pleasure or gain entry to paradise

At-Tawba 9:16

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تُتْرَكُوا وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا مِنكُمْ 

Adakah kamu menyangka, bahawa kamu akan dibiarkan (dalam keadaan kamu yang ada itu), padahal belum lagi terbukti kepada Allah (sebagaimana yang diketahuiNya) orang-orang yang berjihad di antara kamu...

Do you think that you shall be left alone while Allah has not yet tested those among you who have striven hard and fought...

Al-Ankabut 29:2

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

Patutkah manusia menyangka bahawa mereka akan dibiarkan dengan hanya berkata: "Kami beriman", sedang mereka tidak diuji (dengan sesuatu cubaan)?

Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and not be tried?

“Know that if you pray for courage, Allah will not give you "courage”, but put you in real situations where you have the opportunity to cultivate courage; if you pray for patience and strength, that He will place you in situations so that you may strengthen yourself with patience. That is the true meaning of tests of life that Allah bestows upon you- they are all truly a Magisterial Favour upon you from your Lord, The Wise!” -- Imam Afroz Ali

Yunus 107

وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ وَإِن يُرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا رَادَّ لِفَضْلِهِ يُصِيبُ بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

And if Allah should afflict you with harm, then there is none to remove it but He; and if He intends good to you there is none to repel His grace; He brings it to whom He pleases of His servants; and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Dan jika Allah mengenakan engkau dengan sesuatu yang membahayakan, maka tiada sesiapa pun yang akan dapat menghapuskannya melainkan Dia; dan jika Ia menghendaki engkau beroleh sesuatu kebaikan, maka tiada sesiapapun yang akan dapat menghalangi limpah kurniaNya. Allah melimpahkan kurniaNya itu kepada sesiapa yang dikendakiNya dari hamba-hambaNya, dan Dia lah yang Maha Pengampun lagi Maha Mengasihani.

Rasulullah saw bersabda, “seseorang dilanda ujian atau cubaan menurut kekuatan iman dan mutu agama yg dimilikinya. Apabila agamanya kukuh tentu ujian yg diterimanya pun tambah berat seimbang dengan kekuatan iman dan keyakinannya. Demikian juga sebaliknya. Makin lemah kekuatan agama seseorang makin ringan pula cubaan yg menimpanya. Cubaan dan ujian senantiasa menimpa orang beriman sepanjang perjalanannya di muka bumi sehingga terhapus dosa-dosanya dan tidak melekat sedikitpun kesalahan pada dirinya (HR Tirmidzi). InshaAllah...

Why God allows suffering eg: earthquake, tsunami, poverty…?

Al-An'am, 6:131 ALLAH BERKUASA UNTUK MEMBINASA SESUATU NEGERI. 

Diantara pemberitaan yang kita saksikan adalah laporan bencana alam - gempa bumi, kebakaran atau banjir. Seseorang yang menyaksikan pelbagai liputan tentang bencana alam berfikir bahawa Allah mempunyai kuasa atas segala sesuatu, bahawa Dia dapat saja menghancurluluhkan sebuah kota hingga rata dengan tanah jika Dia mengkehendaki. 

Setelah memikirkan ini semua, ia faham bahawa tidak ada sesuatupun selain Allah yang dapat dijadikan tempat berlindung dan memohon pertolongan. Bahkan bangunan-bangunan yang paling kukuh; kota-kota yang dilengkapi dengan teknologi yang paling canggih pun tidak akan mampu bertahan terhadap azab Allah; mereka dapat musnah seketika. Semua pemandangan ini ditunjukkan kepada manusia agar berfikir dan mengambil pelajaran. 

Orang yang mendengar atau membaca laporan bencana alam tersebut juga berfikir bahawa Allah telah menurunkan bencana atas kota ini untuk suatu tujuan. Dalam Al-Qur'an, Allah berfirman bahawa kepada bangsa-bangsa yg menentang, Allah mengirimkan azab agar mereka sadar atau mendapatkan balasan dari perbuatan mereka. Dengan demikian jika suatu masyarakat melakukan bentuk perbuatan yang tidak diredhai Allah, mereka pun akan dikenai hukuman Allah dengan sebab tersebut. Atau Allah mungkin sedang menguji mereka dengan kesusahan dunia. 

Dengan memikirkan segala kemungkinan tersebut, seseorang akan takut kalau-kalau hal serupa akan juga menimpanya, dengan memohon ampunan Allah atas segala perbuatannya. 

Tak seorang atau suatu bangsa pun dapat menghindar dari bencana apapun kecuali jika Allah berkehendak lain. Tak peduli apakah bangsa tersebut termasuk yang paling kaya dan terkuat di dunia atau mendiami sebuah tempat yang letak geografinya tidak menunjukkan adanya kemungkinan terkena bencana tersebut. Allah berfirman bahawa tidak ada satupun bangsa yang mampu mencegah bencana yang akan menimpa mereka... 

(Harun Yahya, Bagaimana Seorang Muslim Berfikir, 2000)
Taken from al-Qur'anulkarim Miracle The Reference Pg286 

Similar Question to this post: (You may refer to other post about "Does God Exist")

We finite-being can not grasp fully God’s infinite Will and Wisdom but we are given intellect to recognize the signs which lies in His creation.

God did not create this earth a permanent world. 

Quran mentioned it in (6:32)(47:36)(75:20)

Scientifically, it is proven that the earth is dying as time flies. (Study about Solar evolution)

Somehow, God designed the earth in a perfect manner without flaw. (67:3-4)

"Who has created the seven heavens one above another, you can see no fault in the creation of the Most Gracious. Then look again: "Can you see any rifts?" (3) Then look again and yet again, your sight will return to you in a state of humiliation and worn out (4)"

He placed physical law and moral law in balance:

Physical Law (cause and effect):

- Pain (sickness, cancer) occurs when we do not take good care of our body such as alcoholism, free sex, gambling. 

- God provided us guidance and warning against this act to avoid those pain. (2:219)(17:32)

Moral Law:

- Suffering can also be a test and trial for some people.

- Example: There are poor people who are suffering while the rich ones are in comfort. God equipped us human with kindness, love, passion and caring for another living being. With these ‘equipment’, both the poor and the rich have a responsibility towards each other. (70:24)(30:38)

"In their wealth there is due share acknowledged by them for such as who ask (for help) and such as are deprived (of what is good in the life)." (Quran 70:24)

"So give his due share (haqq) to kinsman, and to the needy and to the homeless. That is best for those who seek the pleasure of Allah." (Quran 30:38)

Everything was created in perfect balance for the benefit of humanity. These come along with a ‘manual’ to ‘operate’ it. YET, human often violates it.

“(Allah) Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught the Qur’an. He has created man: He has taught him speech (and Intelligence). The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed; and the herbs and the trees both (alike) bow in adoration. And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice), in order that you may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance. It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures." (Quran 55:1-10)

Analogy:

Suppose you broke your leg and not realizing it because there is no pain, what would happen if you run or jump?

Therefore, the purpose of pain: 

- Like a ‘sensor’ to alert us a danger, sickness, or pain.
- Warning for us to take early precaution.
- Pain can be in the form of fear, physical pain, sad etc…

The Wisdom within it:

- Only through pain, one will strive harder.
- Example: 
- A poor man has to work hard to be better. (94:7)
- Every pain has better gain. (94:5-6)

- God does not do injustice to everyone. (4:40)

Allah has informed us in Al-Balad, "Indeed We have created man (to live) in hard struggle. 3 (4)"

Allah swt used the word ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ insaan (man) to say that EVERY MAN are created to be in difficulty. Allah did not use the word 'aamanu' (orang yang beriman or believer). Indeed life of all mankind will be faced with problems and difficulties, regardless whether you are a believer or not.

Everybody has to think on how to survive, think of the future, think of how to fulfil one's needs, etc. The difference is at the end of the journey, whether what we have faced was worth the sacrifice or not.

Problems are created in this world so that we may fulfill our vision, and help each other in this world, facing the poverty, illness, etc - which triggers human to move. e.g: to help the poor, to strive in life to avoid poverty, to find cure for the diseases, etc. and that could give rise to the definition of 'humanity'?