Reflections on the Name of Allah: Ash-Shaafee
The One Who Cures. Ash-Shaafee is the only one who can cure and heal any disease or ailment. His healing is perfect according to His wisdom and He is the source from which all cures come!
The Prophet PBUH said: Take away the disease, O the Lord of the people. Cure him as You are the One who cures. There is no cure but Yours, a cure that leaves no disease. [Al-Bukhaari]
Medical treatment and reliance on Allah
The Prophet PBUH said: Allah has sent down the disease and the cure, and has made for every disease the cure. So treat sickness, but do not use anything haram. [Abu Dawood] Also a Bedouin said: O Messenger of Allah, should we not treat sickness? He said: Treat sickness, for Allah has not created any disease except He has also created the cure, except for one disease. They said, O Messenger of Allah, what is it? He said: Old age. [At-Tirmidhee]
Seeking medical treatment does not contradict our reliance on Allah Almighty (tawakkul), Along with strong reliance on Allah that He will bring you benefit in both worlds and will protect you, it is essential to take the appropriate means that Allah Almighty has set for us to achieve results.
You have to believe that Allah is the One who heals whomsoever He wills and He decrees sickness and death for whomsoever He wills. He says: ( And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things ) Al-An’am 6:17
(وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ)
The Prophet Ibraheem ‘alayhi sallam used this beautiful fact as a powerful tool of da’wah: ( And when I am ill, it is He who cures me. ) Ash-Shuara’a 26:80
(وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ)
It is part of your belief to know and live by the fact Allah is the only One who can heal every disease of your body, mind and heart, by whichever means He deems suitable. So trust in Him and then make use of the lawful treatments, but never attribute healing to medicines or other means and always to Ash-Shaafee only. Don’t forget to say bismillah (In the Name of Allah) when you take any medicine.
The Quran is a cure and healing for all types of diseases and problems. Allah Almighty informed us that the words of the Quran are healing ; however, it is upon you to believe in them and live by them. Allah says: And We send down of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe…) Al-Israa 17:82
(وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا )
The Source of Healing
Allah, as Ash-Shaafee, embodies the ultimate source of healing and wellness. He provides remedies for every illness, emphasizing the importance of faith in His ability to cure. This is beautifully articulated in the following verse:
(وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ)
(And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He; and if He touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things.) Al-An’am 6:17
This verse emphasizes that true healing and relief come solely from Allah. It encourages believers to seek His help in times of distress, affirming the necessity of reliance on His will.
The Relationship Between Faith and Medicine
Seeking medical treatment aligns with our trust in Allah. The Prophet PBUH highlighted the balance between faith and action by stating:
(إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَنزَلَ الدَّاءَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُ الشِّفَاءَ)
(Allah has sent down the disease and the cure, and has made for every disease the cure.) [Abu Dawood]
This teaches us that while we should strive to find cures through lawful means, our ultimate faith must rest in Ash-Shaafee, who controls all healing.
Moreover, the Prophet’s response to the Bedouin asking about treating sickness reinforces this point:
(عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْأَسْبَابِ)
(You should seek treatment, for Allah has not created any disease except He has also created the cure.) [At-Tirmidhee]
This balance between seeking medical intervention and placing trust in Allah illustrates that using resources does not diminish one’s reliance on Him.
The Quran as a Source of Healing
The Quran itself is described as a cure for the believers, serving as a powerful source of spiritual and emotional healing. Allah states:
(وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ)
(And We send down of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe.) Al-Israa 17:82
This verse emphasizes the Quran’s role in healing hearts and minds, affirming its power to provide solace and guidance.
The Prophet Ibraheem ‘alayhi sallam exemplified this understanding by proclaiming:
(وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ)
(And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.) Ash-Shuara’a 26:80
This acknowledgement of Allah as the sole healer reinforces the need for believers to turn to the Quran for spiritual healing, alongside seeking medical treatment.
Reflecting on the name “Ash-Shaafee” encourages us to recognize Allah as the ultimate healer. It invites us to seek medical help while maintaining a strong reliance on His power, and it reminds us of the Quran’s significant role in our healing journey. By understanding these principles, we can nurture both our physical health and spiritual well-being through trust in Ash-Shaafee.