SAEED MADIHA. - PANDEMIC PRESCRIPTION;RESTORING HOPE FROM THE QURAN, SUNNAH AND SCIENCE

THE PANDEMIC PRESCRIPTION

RESTORING HOPE FROM THE QURAN, SUNNAH AND SCIENCE

MADIHA SAEED, MD

FOREWORD BY SH. ABDULLAH ODURO

The Pandemic Prescription: Restoring Hope from the Quran, Sunnah and Science

First published in England by
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Ratby Lane, Markfield,
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Dr. Madiha Saeed 2021 All Rights Reserved.
The right of Dr. Madiha Saeed to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patent Act 1988.

Cataloguing in-Publication Data is available from the British Library

EISBN 978-1-84774-158-5

Typesetting: LiteBook Prepress Services
Cover Design: Inspiral Design

And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss (Quran 17:82)

CONTENTS

This book should only be considered as a reference guide. It is not intended as a medical manual, and the data presented in it are meant to assist the reader in making informed choices regarding wellness. It is not a replacement for treatment that the readers personal physician may have suggested. If the reader believes he or she is experiencing a medical problem, professional medical help is recommended. Mention of particular products, companies or authorities in this book does not entail their endorsement by the publisher or author.

To my parents and children, Abdullah, Zain, Emaad and Qasim who work with me to inspire and educate the world.

I cant thank Allah enough for gifting me with the most loving and supportive family.

I love you all so much!

All praise belongs to Allah; and may His peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger Muhammad.

As we subconsciously acknowledge, our lives are a blessing from our Creator. But one of the main characteristics of this life is that it is temporary. Allah has made us the most noble of His creation when he says: karramna bani adam, (Quran 17:70) and this nobility includes a healthy mind, body and soul. The question that poses itself is: how do we feed these three essential elements of this noble creation?

That which is consistent has the most promising potential to effect change. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said on the authority of Aishah: The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small. (Muslim)

We all know that eating is, and will always be, a consistent practice that every living being must engage in in order to survive. But is this natural, consistent action to our benefit or detriment? How do we want to live?

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) continuously supplicated for good health for himself and his family in different ways:

O Allah, I ask You for pardon and good health in this world and the next...

Ibn Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him) narrated, The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to supplicate, saying:

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the withholding of your favour, the decline of the good health You have given, the suddenness of Your vengeance and from all forms of Your wrath. (Muslim)

This du reminds us that good health is given to us by Allah as a trust (Amanah). And if that is the case, we should remember that if we neglect this trust, it will be detrimental to us in this life and the next.

Just as we make du for good health and a good living which is a manifestation of Allahs favour, we should know that the healthy natural foods that Allah has placed on this earth are also favours from Him. This is exactly what Allah orders us to eat from when He says:

O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and pure and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. (Quran 2:168)

This was also what one of the sleepers of the Cave (Kahf) was ordered to get when they woke up from their long slumber which lasted more than three hundred years:

They said, Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you. (Quran 18:19)

The best of food here has been understood to mean the purest of foods, not the most extravagant.

I was elated to meet Dr. Madiha. When speaking to her, one realises that she is passionate about healthy lifestyles and consuming wholesome foods! As she put it: I feel that I was created to do this!. This is clearly apparent in this book as well as in her demeanour.

It is also very refreshing to read and hear her attributing all what we have heard or learned about wellness from experts to the Quran and Sunnah, for this can assist in nurturing Muslims religious convictions.

Lastly, although she is sympathetic to the current situation of humanity and our ummah regarding health and diet, she never fails to motivate her readers to transform their lives. She knows that this is not easy, but one feels that she is there with them when facing their challenges which is quite encouraging. Her positive energy and zeal leaves one with no other choice but to want to do something to improve the quality of ones life

Sh. Abdullah Oduro

We are living in an age like no other: we live in an age fraught with fear, hopelessness, loneliness, hunger, chaos, sickness, social isolation. We live with fear of being hugged or getting close to people, of losing our jobs, of going hungry, of getting sick, of the future, of the unknown and of being truly human. We are surrounded by fear; fear on the news, on social media, at the dinner table. Our lives are besieged by fear and hopelessness. It is as if we are spiralling down into an endless, dark abyss while we try to hold on to something. But in such a situation we need to eschew hysteria and embrace reason.

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, Where is the help of Allah? Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. (Quran 2:214)

Allah is near: these simple words should give comfort to our souls, bodies and minds. Allah is Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim; Allah is the Protector, the Giver of Peace, the Helper and the Nourisher. During times of stress, or when we feel that everything is lost, we need to run back to the Creator; we need to turn back to the Quran.

And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss (Quran 17:82)

As the world continues to fall in its downward spiral, we Muslims have been taught to reflect. Long ago, when people felt that everything was lost, the Quran was sent as guidance for mankind. Allah, at that time, gave humanity hope just as He is giving it now. In a world with so much fear of the unknown, we need to hold on tighter to Allahs rope.

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.