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HEALING POWER OF FAITH, PRAYER AND SACRED READINGSProfessor Abdul Majid We turn to God and He renews our strength so that we can run and not grow weary, so that we can walk and not feel faint. (Kushner) (1) Healing has a long and very old history. It is actually man’s fight against spiritual/mental sickness, diseases, maladjustment or any other disorder of this kind. Healing is defined as the diagnosis of the cause of evil and mental and physical sickness, and the development of techniques for its cure. (2) Psychotherapy is a systematic effort to restore the disordered personality to the general pattern of normalcy (3). In Yung’s words psychotherapy is a domain of healing. (4) According to Dr. Ali Rizvi, “Its foundation was actually laid with the appearance of man on this globe. The man who suffered a pain that could not be located in the body, was somewhere in the non-body region and thus resorted to a treatment which was considered appropriate to this kind of malaise” (5)
Different methods and techniques have been (and are
being) used in psychotherapy to cure such disorders and
mental ailments but the demon of melancholy seems to be
devouring the substance of serenity and satisfaction. It
is estimated that more than 500 million people worldwide
suffer from the ill effects of depression. By 2020 it is
expected to be the 2nd most debilitating
disease after heart attack. (6) A variety
of anti-depressants are suggested as a course of
therapy, but there is no recovery. More and more people
in the modern societies are attempting to seek pleasure
through carnal and corporeal modes of satisfaction. The
sacred sources are denied the blessings which they
deserve, while the unsanctified avenues are unfolded for
immediate gratification, but their dissatisfaction is
increasing. Neurosis, depression and suicide are
increasing day by day. Now people are realizing that
real peace of mind and tranquility can not be gained
without faith in
God. Within the past few years it has become generally known in the West that religious beliefs and practices have an important impact on physical and mental health. Religion is commonly relied upon to cope with the stress caused by health problems. Now the medical effects of faith are considered a matter not just of faith but also of science.
More than three hundred scientific studies demonstrate
the medical value of religious commitment (including
worship attendance, prayer, scripture study, and an
active participation in a spiritual community). These
benefits include enhanced prevention and treatment of
mental disorders (e.g. depression, suicide, and
anxiety), medical and surgical illness (e.g; heart
disease, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases), and
addiction, reduced pain and disability; and prolonged
survival.(7) In addition, spiritual treatment (e.g;
prayer, religiously based psychotherapy) enhances
recovery. (8)
For the faithful, religious commitment offers many
health advantages. A cohesive, comforting set of beliefs
and participation in sacred rituals may endow a sense of
meaning, purpose, and hope. Faith offers a “peace that
passeth understanding” in times of pain, grief and
disability. Healthy life style choice (e.g. exercise,
proper diet) are more common and unhealthy behaviors
(e.g. nicotine, alcohol, & drug use, suicide attempts;
high risk sexual activity) are less common among
religious persons. Persons of faith usually cope
effectively with stress and have strong social support
and a high quality of life. (9)
Dr. Frankle, who developed a system of
psychotherapy, which in his own words, “not only
recognizes man’s spirit, but actually starts from it”
quotes research findings which indicate that about 20
percent of neurosis result from inability of the
patients to find any purpose in life. He further says
that it may be the task of the therapist to direct them
to a meaning in life by the realization of some value.
This realization may be achieved, not only by
accomplishing worthwhile tasks, but also sometimes by
the adoption of an attitude of acceptance of inevitable
sufferings. (10)
Carl Young concludes based on his wide clinical
experience:
“Although all my patients in the
second half of life – that is to say , over thirty five
– there not has been one whose problem in the last
resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on
life . It is safe to say that every one of them fell ill
because he
lost that which the living religions of every age
have given to their followers,
and none of them has been
really healed who did not
regain his religious outlook”. (11)
It is not surprising, then, that three major studies
(recently published in the American Journal of Public
Health and Journal of Gerontology performed in
different parts of
Several studies have now discovered a connection between
religious involvement and immune system function. For
example, in a study of 1718 subjects( age sixty five
or over) conducted by
Likewise, studies of patients with AIDS indicate
stronger immune system functioning among those who are
more religiously involved. (14)
In another
extensive study of healing by Dr. Dale Matthews and
associates, personal prayers caused an overall 20
percent decrease in the amount of pain experienced by
patients with arthritis. Patients also reported less
swelling in their joints, greater mobility, and a
heightened sense of spiritual peace. Dr. Matthews
describes the reason of comfort,
“It raises the possibility that perhaps the effect of
prayer is not going through the inflammatory mechanism,
but instead is happening at a man cerebral level.”
Dr. Mathews also identified the act
of physically putting one’s hand on the patient as more
interactive, identifying the patient-healer interaction
as a possible mechanism. (15)
Many modern psychologists like Jung, Brill, Link, Borgin,
Loewanthal,
Recently an interesting study was conducted in
Dr. Charles T. Kaelber reported in his article Link
between Depression and Spirituality that depression
is less common in people who are actively involved in
religious activities. (18)
Kate Loewenthal also concludes in his book “The
Psychology of Religion”
that religion can affect patterns of stress, and
this can affect patterns of distress and of minor
psychiatric disorders. We could suggest that minor
anxiety is a disorder associated with the religious
life, while major depression is a disorder associated
with secularization.
Religious activity – belief that God is in control,
supporting all for the best – results in positive
mood, so lower distress (19)
Why religion supports people and why faith in God is so
helpful to people in distress, Dr. Pargament, the author
of “The Psychology of Religion and Coping”
speaks:
“I believe
religion offers a response to the problem of human
insufficiency. Try as we might to maximize significance
through our own insights and experiences or through
those of others, we remain human, finite and limited. At
any time we may be pushed beyond our immediate
resources, exposing our basic vulnerability to ourselves
and the world. To this most basic of existential crises,
religion holds solutions. The solutions may come in the
form of spiritual support when other forms of social
support are lacking, explanations when no other
explanations seem convincing, and a sense of ultimate
control through the sacred when life seems out of
control or new objects of significance when old ones are
no longer compelling.” (20)
Johnson sums it up more eloquently:
“It is because man is finite with infinite
possibilities that he ventures upon the religious quest.
He is naturally finite, yet he learns infinite
possibilities which he cannot reach alone. Thus, he will
never be content to endure the finite loneliness of self
– sufficient isolation …. Religious learning is the
discovery of ultimate resources to meet infinite
longings of the finite Mark Su,
a physician at the Tufts University Family Residency
Program in
Mark
Su found religion had the most positive impact on
health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and
hypertension. Presenting the findings at the annual
scientific assembly of the American Academy of Family
Physicians in Atlanta – October 2001, Su said asking
patients about their religious backgrounds practices and
community is a relationship builder: “it leads to
meaningful discussions: it creates a bond.” (22)
The Holy Quran also describes in its various verses that
the real peace of mind and tranquility lies in faith in
Almighty Allah and in His remembrance. Quran declares:
Those who believe, and whose hearts find rest in the
remembrance of Allah,
the hearts do find rest in the remembrance of
Allah. Those who believe and do right, joy (Tuba) and
true happiness is for them and a beautiful plea of fine
return. (23)
Abdullah Yousaf Ali comments on the word ‘Tuba’
in this verse:
‘Tuba’ an internal state of satisfaction, an inward joy
which is difficult to describe in words but which
reflects itself in the life of the good man through good
and ill fortune, through good report and evil. And then
there is the final goal to which his eyes are turned,
the beautiful home of rest in the Hereafter, after his
life’s struggles are over. That goal is God Himself.
(24)
On the other hand, in another verse God said:
One who turns away from the remembrance and admonition
of Allah, for his is a life narrowed down and he shall
be raised blind on the Day of Judgment. (25)
So the true happiness in fact comes from the true belief
in Almighty Creator and from the values one cherishes
and the virtues one nourishes. While all pleasures
stemming from carnal desires and material phenomena
disappear soon after their satisfaction, the bliss
surrounding moral and spiritual consummation always
remains alive and fresh in human mind and soul.
When we acquire complete satisfaction by advancing from
doubt to faith, ignorance to knowledge, negligence to
remembrance, sin to repentance, hypocrisy to sincerity,
falsehood to truth, pride to humility, lethargy to
action, haughtiness to lowliness, the soul is pacified.
The delight, joy and comfort of soul are with the
remembrance of Allah, “from
Him it comes and to Him it will return”. So we can
say that
real
satisfaction is due to closeness to God and remoteness
from God results in mental diseases.
HEALING POWER OF PRAYER:Linguistically prayer is an appeal
we perform to gain God’s favor, entreat forgiveness for
a misdeed we have committed , express gratitude for a
grace bestowed upon us , ward off a possible calamity
and perform a religious duty .
In Islamic perspective prayers
are of various kinds : calling to Allah any time
is prayer (duaa)
,calling Him on special occasions in sacred places is
prayer which is answered readily. The formal prayer in
Islam is
salaat (whose
literal meaning is also prayer)
which is
obligatory five times a day requiring around five/ ten
minutes for each.
Prayer for others is also specially appreciated
in Islam.
Prophet Mohammad ( Peace be upon him ) said , “Prayer
(Duaa) is the kernel and essence
of worship”. In another saying it is
described that the most loved
thing to God is to pray to him. Similarly the
Prophet Mohammad said:
Prayer is the weapon of a believer, the pillar of
religion Islam and is the light (Noor) of heavens and
earth (26).
Huzaifa , a companion of the Prophet
Mohammad says
that whenever the prophet happened to face any
difficulty , he would at once resort to Salaat.(27)
To resort to Salaat at the time of worry is to
hasten towards His mercy, and when Allah’s mercy comes
to rescue, there can remain no trace of any worry.
The Prophet also said that all the previous Apostles
/Messengers of God (Peace be upon them) also used to
resort to Salaat (prayer) in all adversities.
(28)
A Scholar
of Islam Hafiz Ibn Qayyam writes :
”Salaat
promotes health, drives out diseases, strengthens the
heart, brings light and beauty on the face, enlightens
the soul, refreshes the body, cures indolence, relieves
the mind, illuminates the heart and guarantees Allah’s
favor. In short , Salaat is a guarantee for all
that is desirable
and a protection against all that is undesirable
for body and soul , equally
in this world and
in the hereafter”. (29)
When we analyze
Islamic prayer collectively and study its unique
nature, it dawns to us that it is not merely physical
motion but is a matchless formula of intellectual
meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation
and physical exercise, all combined .It is a personal
experience where every muscle and joint
of the body joins the soul and mind in the
worship and
glory of God. Today even materialists acknowledge that
there can be no prescription other than formal Islamic
prayer for the relief of joints. The habit of the
wash-up (ablution,wudhu)
five times a day (hands up to elbow, face, feet
are washed thrice
before each of the daily five prayers) always
provide
physical, physiological , mental
and spiritual vigor. (30)
Almighty Allah instructed His beloved Prophet Mohammad,
Pray for the believers because that is a source of
security, serenity and tranquility
for them. (31).
The Prophet Mohammad used to comfort the sick by the
following words of prayer:
I supplicate Allah the Great , Sustainer and Lord of the
Mighty Throne , that He give you health. O Allah ,
remove the hardship and disease, O Lord of Mankind ,
grant cure , for You are the Healer. There is no cure
but from You, a cure that leaves no illness behind. (32)
The prayers of great sages and saints have had special
impact on those for whom they prayed. Modern research
testifies this, as Dr. Iqbal said:
Similarly, according to a hadith (saying of the
Prophet) there are some people whose prayer (Duaa)
is not rejected;
The fasting person until he breaks the fast; the just
ruler, and the oppressed person, whose prayer Allah
lifts above the clouds and opens unto it the doors of
heavens and Allah says: I swear by My honor, verily, I
shall assist you, even though it may be after some time.
(33).
Modern studies also support the efficacy of
various types of prayer.
An important study was published in 1988, which was
conducted by cardiologist Dr. Randolph Byrd. A computer
assigned 393 patients at a coronary care unit either to
a group that was prayed for by prayer groups or to a
group that was not remembered in prayer. No one knew
which group the patients were in.
The prayer
groups were simply given the patients first names, along
with brief descriptions of their medical problems. They
ware asked to pray each day until the patients were
discharged from the hospital – but were given no
instructions on how to do it or what to say. When the
study was completed ten months later, the prayed - for
patients benefited in several significant areas:
Similarly a study published in the November 2001,
American Heart Journal
showed a positive relationship between spirituality and
health among cardiac patients. It may
be concluded on the basis of the above and many other
studies that prayer for another person suffering from
disease might have a beneficial effect if the sufferer
knew that others cared enough for him or her to pray. In
this case the knowledge of existence of the prayer might
help to restore patient’s own faith in an ultimate
restoration to health. There are also evidences (as
described above) to affirm the efficiency of secret
prayer when the person for whom prayer is made, does not
know about the prayer. And in the words of Douglas
Steere: “No
more and no less than that intercessory prayer
seems able to touch the life of another at the core of
his or her being and that in the extremity of disease we
can be supported and even healed by the help of the
prayers of other when we outwardly know nothing (34).
As poet Alfred Tennyson wrote, “Many things are wrought by
prayer than this world THE HEALING POWER OF THE HOLY QURANAbout
the Holy Quran, God says:
O mankind! there has come to
you a direction and admonition from your Lord
and a healing for the diseases in your hearts ,
and a guidance
and mercy unto all who believe.
We send down (stage by stage) in the Quran that which is
a healing and a mercy to those who believe. (37) Abdullah
Yousaf Ali comments on these verses as: In
God’s revelation there is a healing for our broken
spirits, hope for our spiritual future, and a joy in the
forgiveness of our sins. All who work in faith will
share in these privileges. It is only the rebels against
God’s law who will suffer loss. (38) Dr.
Ahmed E. Qazi and associates examined the effect of
recitation of the Holy Scripture (The Quran).As a result
of their studies they concluded that high blood pressure
was decreased due to listening to the Quran, the heart
beat was normalized and the muscles of the body relaxed.
These effects of recitation were not only on Muslims but
also on non-Muslims (39)
The First sura (chapter) of the Quran is also
called Sura Shifa (Healing and Cure) for
all the ailments and this is the sura recited
necessarily in all the formal prayer (Salaat)
of Muslims.
An eminent
physician from Lahore Dr. Rashid wrote that the patients
suffering from insomnia were cured by the prayers of
Dawn (Fajr) and night (Isha) and the
recitation of the Quran and they slept without taking
any sleeping pills. (40)
Almighty Allah advises all believers to seek strength in
patience and prayer, Allah is with those who are
patient. (41)
When the period of suffering seems to be too long,
strength seems to be sapping, patience may soon be
exhausted unless strength is renewed. Hence, prayer is
coupled with patience in the Quranic directive. Prayer
is the ever – flowing spring which renews the believers’
energy and gives them new strength. Prayers also add to
that perseverance, contentment, confidence and
reassurance and
make
them
feel
that they are not alone.
Sayed Qutb adds:
The value of prayer is great indeed; prayer is the
direct link between man who is certain to die and the
Power which is everlasting. It is the appointed time for
the confined nature of man to come to the ever - flowing
spring. It holds the key to the endless treasure which
has more than anyone needs. It is the gate through which
man escapes from his limited confines on earth to the
limitless expanse of the Universe. It is the source of
spiritual strength and tender compassion. It provides
the gentle touch which comforts the tired heart. For
this reason, whenever the Prophet (PBUH), experienced
some hardship, or whenever he had to make a momentous
decision he prayed much in order to make his contact
with Allah more prolonged. (42)
Abu Hurairah, a companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was
suffering from intestinal pain. The prophet (PBUH)
advised him,
“Stand up and pray because healing (shifa) is in
prayer.” (43)
Dr. C. Callender, Chair of the Surgery Department at
Howard University, Washington D.C. rightly said:
“The
miracles of spiritual healing should be accepted as the
newest medical technology”
(44)
In
conclusion let us cite
Biblical and Quranic verses : A
sufferer prays to God:
Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to
me, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go
down unto the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications,
when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands towards
thy Holy sanctuary…….
Blessed be the Lord, because he had heard the voice of
my supplications.
The Lord is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusted
in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly
rejoiceth, and with song will I praise him.
(Psalms 28:2-3,6-7) .(45) In the Holy Quran God assures:
When my
servants (bondmen) ask thee concerning Me (tell them) I
am indeed close to them, I listen to the prayer of every
supplicant when he calleth on Me: Let them also with a
will, listen
to My call, and believe in Me, that they may be rightly
directed (46).
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