One of our endeavor in promoting prevention has been to identify the health benefits inherent in Islam through analysis of the writings of the Holy Qur'an and the practices of the Last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Although Islam was born more than 1400 years ago but still it is compatible and applicable to all times, all places and all people. It's not just a religion but a complete 'code of life' that guides on all aspects of living including a reliable and easy way towards leading a healthy life. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that every disease has a treatment:

"There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment."

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 71, Number 582, Narrated Abu Huraira

The Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah (Practices) of the Last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gives clear advise on maintaining and leading a healthy life free of diseases and disabilities. In the 6th century AD when Islam started spreading, the medical science was in a primitive stage and it was not possible to fathom the veracity of the Islamic guidelines through the knowledge of those days. But now in the 20th century, medical scientists are astonished to see that the divine writings of the Qur'an and the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) are truly compatible to the last word with the modern day discoveries. In fact many of the things which scientists are discovering now in all branches of science including Medicine were predicted by the Holy Qur'an over 14 centuries ago. 

Allah, the Magnificent, says:

"O Mankind: There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (disease) in your hearts - and for those who believe a guidance and mercy!" (Qur'an 10:57 )

"And We sent down in the Qur'an that which is healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss". (Qur'an 17:82).

RESEARCH PROJECTS:

IHS in collaboration with MMRF, a non-commercial, non-sectarian, voluntary organization working to conduct and promote research in medical science in the light of Islamic teachings and practices is involved in medical research in the light of Islamic teachings. Some of the ongoing projects include:

1. Role of nasal irrigation in preventing incidence of upper respiratory infections.

2. Effect of Namaz (prayers) on health.

3. Effect of 'Hifaz' (remembering the Holy Qur'an by heart) on memory.

4. Effects on eye sight on regular reading of Holy Qur'an.

5. The biochemical effects on the body due to fasting in Ramzan (The Muslim month of compulsory fasting).

Recently MMRF in collaboration with IHS, Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) & Shifa International Hospital & Medical College held an international seminar in Islamabad with the theme "Health - An Islamic Perspective". Presentations given at the seminar can be downloaded below:

MMRF provides Muslim researchers around the world a platform where they can share their thoughts, research and data with other like minded individuals. mmrforum.com is the web site of MMRF.

Sleeping on the Right Side: 

Sahihl Bukhari, an authentic compilation of Ahadith (sayings & acts of the Prophet, PBUH) mentions:

When Allah's Apostle went to bed, he used to sleep on his right side and then say, "All-ahumma aslamtu nafsi ilaika, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilaika, wa fauwadtu Amri ilaika, wa alja'tu zahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika. La Malja'a wa la manja minka illa ilaika. Amantu bikitabika al-ladhi anzalta wa nabiyyika al-ladhi arsalta!" (O Allah! I surrender to You and entrust all my affairs to You and depend upon You for Your Blessings both with hope and fear of You. There is no fleeing from You, and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allah! I believe in Your Book (the Qur'an) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom You have sent). Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever recites these words (before going to bed) and dies the same night, he will die on the Islamic religion (as a Muslim)."

Abu Huraira narrated that "when the prophet (peace be upon him) saw a man lying on his front, He said Allah and his prophet dislike this position in lying" (Reported by Al-Tirmdhi).

Another Hadith is the one narrated by Abu Umama, he said: "When the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed a man sleeping on his front in the mosque he hit him with his feet and said: wake up and sit as this is a diabolic sleep."

As can be seen in the figure above the stomach empties the food towards the right side; so sleeping on right side assists the gastric emptying while if we sleep on left the duration of stay of food in the stomach is prolonged with the possibility of some of the food staying in the stomach even when we wake up in the morning. Thus causing heartburn, a feeling of fullness or nausea and later development of gastric ulcers. A group of experiments done by Galteh and Butseh found that the passage of food from the stomach to the intestines takes from 2.5 to 4.5 hours if a person is sleeping on the right side whereas its takes 5 to 8 hours if he is sleeping on the left side.
 

Also please note that in the lower part of the tract sleeping on right side aids through gravity the formation of faeces by making the food that is 70-80% digested, stay for a longer time in the region just before the Ileo-Cecal valve thus providing time for complete digestion. As the person changes postures during sleep later in night the final faecal product is delivered into the last part of the colon from where it can be expelled out after waking up in the morning.

Another benefit of sleeping on right side has recently been discovered: Sleep Apnea. Medical scientists have been trying to find ways to prevent sleep apnea, in which the patient wakes up suddenly in the night with a feeling that he/she can't breath. Now it has been found out that if some one is sleeping flat on his/her back the mucosal covering of the throat and larynx fall down if they are lax and obstruct the air flow. While sleeping on right side prevents this falling of the mucosal lining thus preventing Sleep Apnea. 

Yet another benefit is reduction of pressure on the heart. The heart is on the left side so when one sleeps on right side pressure of lungs and thymus is negated thus giving the heart room for beating freely.

Prayers (Namaz, Sala'at) - Health Benefits:

Offering five daily 'Prayers' (Sala'at, Namaz) is compulsory for every Muslim. Muhammad (PBUH) was given the gift of Salaat by Allah All Mighty when the Prophet went to the heavens on Shab-e-Mairaj. There are be three health aspects of Salaat:

Wudu:

Washing all the exposed areas of the body, hand, feet, face, mouth, nostrils, etc. 5 times a day is a healthy preventive procedure. Hand washing is being emphasized more and more now in order to prevent the spread of germs and disease. However it was ordered in the Qur'an (5:7) 1400 years ago when people did not knew about Bacteria and Viruses. While for complete cleanliness bathing has been advised (4:43).

Recitation of Qur'an:

Qur'anic recitation has a healing effect on the body, mind and heart. These healing effects can be due to:

1. Pressure or touch of tongue on the mucosal lining of the mouth.

2. Sound waves transmitted through the ear to the auditory area of the brain.

3. Sound waves entering directly into the body transducing the basal vibratory frequency of body cells.

4. Understanding of the meaning and the divine knowledge hidden beneath the simple meanings of the Qur'anic verses.

Physical Movements:

Movements made during Sala'at are slow, mild, synchronized, and involve all muscles, joints and bones of the body. 

Blood flow throughout the body is effected increasing flow to the vital organs like the brain and kidneys while going into Sajda'h and Ruk'o. During Tash'had blood is squeezed out of the calves and thighs and directed towards the brain and upper part of the body thus over a period of time increasing the elasticity and tensile strength of the blood vessels that in the long term protects against clots and hemorrhages.

Sajda'h also aids in clearance of respiratory secretions that's the reason we hear many people clearing their throats after coming out of Sajda'h. Sajdah posture is exactly what the Pulmonologists recommend for chest physiotherapy for patients with Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, etc.

The focusing of eyes at specific points with the mind focused on reciting the Qur'anic verses is an excellent way to relieve stress.

To scientifically analyze and prove the beneficial effects of the various postures adopted during Salaat IHS has undertaken a study on both, the short term and long term physical and mental effects on the body of regular daily five times prayers. As soon this study is completed it will be posted here.

IHS encourages every one, not specifically just the doctors or the medical community, but the general public at large to share their thoughts and ideas through email in order to further explore and praise the glory of Allah and highlight the suitability of Islam as the most natural religion of all times.