How to protect yourself from the Corona Virus, Infleunza, Pneumonia, Respiratory Disorders, Acute Respiratory Disorders, SARS, Ebola, HIV, Aids and so much more.
Sickness especially respiratory disorders affect those who are immunocompromised and weak individuals which is fact according to Islamic Medicine.
What can you do to protect yourself from the perspective of Sunnah, Complementary Medicine and Prophetic Medicine?
Whomsoever's death is written cannot delay it and whomsoever is decreed to live will recover. At the same time Allah (SWT) has created this world as a world of Asbaab (means) and it is absolutely necessary upon us to adopt the means available to us and take precautions as this is the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and this is the middle path.
Our approach therefore is three tiered in Islamic Medicine:
1) Trusting in Allah (SWT) and seeking His (SWT) assistance and protection through obedience and dua.
2) Adopting the Sunnah that we are taught in these cases.
3) Using what is available to us to prevent and treat diseases and infections according to Qur'an and Sunnah.
Trusting in Allah (SWT) and seeking assistance.
Do not leave the area where a plague has emerged and do not enter such an area.
If we are in the area where the epidemic has broken out and especially if there is a chance that we were exposed to the infection then trust in Allah (SWT) and remain in that area or locality. If you pass away from the illness you will have the death of a shaheed and if you recover you will be greatly rewarded for your action. If you have not been exposed or you will be entering into a quarantine then it will be fine to leave the area.
If you are not in the area then do not travel to such places where the epidemic is spreading.
It is narrated from ‘Abd ar-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say: “If you hear that it (the plague) is in a land, do not go there, and if it breaks out in a land where you are, do not leave, fleeing from it.” (Bukhari/Muslim).
It is narrated that Usaamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “The plague is a calamity (or a punishment) that was sent upon the Children of Israel, or upon those who came before you. If you hear of it in some land, do not go there, and if it breaks out in a land where you are, do not leave, fleeing from it.” (Bukhari/Muslim)
Refrain from the disobedience of Allah (SWT)
The disobedience of Allah (SWT) attracts the anger of Allah (SWT) which can result in the non-acceptance of dua's as the least effect. In these times especially we should avoid these sins:
1) Neglect and non-performance of salaah.
2) Wearing clothing that does not cover the awra or which is tight fitting and reveals the shape of the body.
3) Women travelling the musaafir distance or more without a mahram.
4) Imitating the people of other religions in clothing, hairstyles etc.
5) Disobedience and rudeness to parents.
6) Non-payment of zakaat.
7) Backbiting.
8)Men allowing the trousers to fall below the ankles.
9) Involvement in interest loans.
10) Oppressing others especially in withholding their monetary rights like dowry, nafaqa and inheritance.
Adopting the Sunnah
There are many Sunan that have been shown to have the benefit of reducing the chance of infections, some of these are mentioned below:
1) Washing hands before eating and after using the toilet. Also practice on the preferred act of renewing your wudhu for each salaah if you are able to - washing hands has been shown to be more effective at prevention of infection that the use of a face mask. This is well documented.
2) Cover food and containers in the evening.
3) Keep shoes out of the home.
4) Adopt breastfeeding as this passes on the mothers immunity to the child.
5) Lengthen the beard. Men who shave their beards have been found to have a higher degree of harmful bacteria on the skin than those who keep a beard and they also found that certain substances were contained in the beard that killed off harmful bacteria as well.
6) Raw honey, black seed, dates. These three items can be used to support the body's strength and immune function. However if the patient is diabetic then the high glucose content can have the opposite effect and a consultation with a qualified Islamic Medicine doctor should be sought in order to adopt the best approach. The overarching Sunnah in medicine is to seek treatment from an expert doctor who has been duly trained and is qualified to treat. Remember that "A half doctor (not qualified and trained properly) is a danger to your life and a half aalim/sheikh is a danger to your Imaan".
7) Olive oil - olive oils and other healthy oils rubbed into the hair and the skin provide a layer of protection from many viruses and bacteria. Some should be used around the ears and nose of kids and the elderly as well as many viruses are inactivated by contact with such beneficial oils.
There are many other Sunan as well that we do not know the full wisdom of. If we want to get the full benefit we should adopt every Sunnah whether we know the worldly benefit of it or not.
Using the means available and taking precautions.
Face masks is a waste of time as it can actually increase the risk of infection. Hand washing the Sunnah way is shown to be more effective.
Eat well, sleep well, exercise
The effectiveness of a virus is based on how weak your immune system is. Currently the mortality rate from the virus is about 2%, this means that approximately 2% of people who get infected die from the illness and these are mostly elderly individuals. The reason is because the immune system in an elderly person, vulnerable and a child is weaker. It therefore is obvious that if our immune system is healthy there is no chance of the infection becoming severe or contracting anything in the first place.
Eating well and sleeping well is necessary for healthy immune system function. Avoid late nights and make sure to get at least 6 hours of continuous sleep in the evening.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet with a variety of food types. Avoid soft drinks completely and reduce items with added sugar.
A regular exercise routine also keeps the immune system functioning better.
Avoiding exposure to cold winds.
This used to be common sense before but nowadays we see that many people, especially teenagers, not wearing warm clothing and being frequently exposed to cold environments. This increases the chance of infection and lowers the immune function.
Care should be taken of cold drafts entering the home or in the workplace. Working under a cold blowing air conditioner can also cause cold and flu symptoms and weaken immune function.
Herbal medicines instead of vitamins, supplements, vaccines and synthetic medications. Most people are not getting the required nutrients from their diet and therefore a formula can be used based on the individuals own requirements. Nutrients which tend to be deficient and are important for healthy immune function include Vitamin D, Zinc and Vitamins B's.
Vitamin C is useful if a person has already contracted an infection where there are a lot of heat signs present. Beetroots are the best source as it works on the Blood and energy aspect too.
Home remedies
If one already has signs of infection then some items which are available in the home may be used to provide relief. These include:
1) Ginger powder tea provides relief from any infection.
2) Chicken and ginger soups.
3) Cupping both wet and dry.
4) Burning frankincense is known to also combat viruses and bacteria in the air.
Herbal Immune boosters
There are specific medicinal's that have the effect of improving of improving immune function, especially in those with a compromised immune system, those who frequently catch colds and flu's, the elderly and children. There are many of the products available nowadays on the market and touted to be effective but unfortunately most are either not put together correctly in terms of herbal principles or the potency is too weak to have a proper effect. Some are however effective and amongst these one of the most effective is Reishi mushroom which is proven to have anti-viral, anti-cancer, adaptogenic and immune strengthening functions. A good supplement with Reishi Mushroom and other anti-viral and immune supporting herbal formula's that I preare in the dispensary.
Generally the use of herbal substances should be prescribed by someone who is trained in herbal medicine as they will be able to identify the temperament of the individual e.g. cold, hot, dry, moist and then prescribe that which fits the individual patient and the illness presenting which will also have its own characteristics.
Other herbs and their functions related to the immune system and viral illness:
Huang Qi - Strengthens lung function and immunity.
Dang Shen - Increases white blood cell count.
Ren Shen - energy.
Moringa - Can strengthen the body in patients with cold signs. Avoid in patients with heat.
Echinacea - Useful during the infection in patients with heat signs.
In conclusion, with any virus, it is not something that should put us into a panic. We have Allah (SWT) in whom we trust and who has provided us with the beautiful Sunnah to follow in all times and conditions. Allah (SWT) has also created in this world a cure for every disease and we should seek it out and adopt it as the means of protection and cure while knowing that everything is in His hands. May Allah (SWT) protect us from all types of diseases and calamities. Allahumma'Ameen Ya Rabb.
Comments