Remedying Sicknesses Through Good Deeds:

Healing Afflictions with Acts of Goodness and Reliance on Allah

REMEDYING SICKNESSES AND AFFLICTIONS BY WAY OF PERFORMING ACTS OF GOOD

Shaikh ul Islām Ibn Taymiyyah (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: “Many of the sick people – or most of the sick people are cured without medical treatment. ALLĀH cures them with that which HE has created within them from innate potencies in their bodies that are relieving of sickness. As well as in that which HE has facilitated for them from a type of physical exercise and activity, or by way of a supplication that is answered or remedial recitation that is beneficial, or strength of the heart and excellence of Tawakkul (reliance) and so forth from the many means other than medication.” {Majmu’ Fatāwa, 21/563}

Ibn al-Qayyim (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: “And from the greatest remedies for sickness is to carry out good and to show excellence and to make remembrance of ALLĀH and to make supplication and having humility and making earnest implore to ALLĀH and to make repentance. Since these affairs have an effect in repelling the ailments and for the attainment of cure – greater than natural medicines. However; this is in accordance to the willingness of the soul and of its acceptance and its belief in that and of its benefit.” {Zādul Ma’ād, 4/144}

Ibn Al-Qayyim (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) also stated: “Indeed, sadaqah has a remarkable effect in repelling an array of tribulations, even if it (sadaqah) were to come from a wicked sinner or an oppressor – rather even from a disbeliever. For indeed; ALLĀH, the Most High, by way of it repels an array of tribulations, and this is an affair which is known by the people – their exclusive ones as well as the general ones, and the people of the earth – all of them acknowledge that – because they have indeed experienced it.” {Al-Waabil as-Sayyib, page 69}

This is not to say that a person should not seek contemporary medical treatment for sickness and ailment, rather it is encouraged to remedy one’s illness by treating it appropriately, and in some cases it may be necessary to do so in order to avoid a further deterioration in health. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Seek treatment, but do not seek treatment by the unlawful.” {Sunan Abi‌ Da‌wu‌d #3874}

Shaikh bin Bāz (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: “What is correct in regard to undergoing medical treatment is that it is recommended and legislated, it was mentioned by An-Nawawī (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) and others from a multitude of the scholars, and that it is the saying of the majority.” {Abridged from Fataawa Noor ‘alaa Darb || Vol. 1, Page 355}

May ALLĀH, The Most High, bestow HIS Favour upon us and grant us sound health and well-being, and cure those who are sick from amongst us, indeed HE is The All-Hearing, The One Who Responds to the supplications of those who call upon HIM.