Islam is a religion that specifically aims at human progress and shows the proper way through a number of commands and prohibitions covering every aspect of a person’s daily social and political life.
These commands and prohibitions have been codified into a complete social and political system.It is a practical system, for it has been practiced with success. Islamic society and its culture are based on the precise teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah (sayings and acts) of Prophet Mohammad.
THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN ISLAM: Islam, for the first time in the history of mankind, raised the status of a woman from that which was to be owned, possessed and enjoyed like any other property, to the status of human being equal to and having the same rights as a man.
In this conceptual framework of an Islamic society, men and women are created as equals before God, with specific duties and responsibilities. “And women shall have rights similar to the rights of men according to what is equitable “(Quran Chapter 2:228)
The emancipation of women was dear to the Prophet’s heart. The Quran gave women rights of inheritance and divorce centuries before western women were accorded such status. In addition, a woman is accorded maximum honour and respect.
In an Islamic culture, a woman, especially a mother, plays a key role in the proper development of her family. She is primarily responsible for the physical, spiritual, emotional, educational, administrative and other needs of her family, including maintaining discipline with reference to diet planning and exercise.
DIABETES AND ISLAM: Islam has ordered the believers to take care of health, and has drawn their attention to be strong mentally, physically and economically. This is why taking care of our bodies is considered essential and is made the foremost duty of the woman as she takes care of all the dietary and health concerns of herself and her family.
Islam lays emphasis on not only a moderate and simple diet but also physical exercise by each family member. It is the woman who has the responsibility for teaching her children right from the early stages, in looking after their health. The mother instills lifelong eating habits in her family. If good nutritional habits are not ingrained in the beginning of young adulthood as part of lifestyle, poor eating habits become a risk factor for a number of diseases including diabetes, in later years.
Prophet Mohammamd said: “There are two graces which many people misevaluate, (they are) health and free time ( for doing good)” (Hadith by Bukhari)
There is an amazing similarity between the basic principles of the management of Diabetes, and the guidelines in Islam relating to health issues that influence Diabetes. The following are a few of such points:
DISCIPLINE: Living with diabetes requires a lot of self-discipline in terms of careful attention to diet, rigorous timing of self-medication, frequent testing of blood sugar, sticking to an exercise regime and ensuring regular attendance at a diabetes clinic. In a Muslim who offers salat (prayers) five times daily, discipline comes naturally.
The Islamic month of Ramdan is the yearly month of training when every Muslim who is not sick or on a journey, has to fast in the strictest sense of the word from dawn till after sunset. “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint.” (Quran 2:184)
DIET: Islam teaches moderation in all aspects of life, including eating. Moderation is the keyword as far as eating habits are concerned. As with all our divine obligations, moderation in terms of the quantity of the food we eat is essential. The Holy Quran mentions: “Eat and drink and be not immoderate.” (Quran 7:31)
Allah Says: “O you who believe , do not forbid the good things which Allah has made lawful for you and do not exceed limits. Surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits”(Quran 5:90)
ALCOHOL: Restriction of alcohol is desired in diabetes, as alcohol provokes low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) .Abstinence from alcohol is recommended in people with diabetes suffering from nerve damage (neuropathy) and lipid disorders (such as hypertriglyceridaemia). Those who are on sulphonylureas (blood sugar lowering drugs) should also limit alcohol intake.
Drinking alcohol is prohibited in Islam. Although alcohol has some beneficial effects, it can lead to addiction with all its moral and physiological problems.In Quran , the following order is with regard to drinking and gambling, and also applies to all things which promote addiction. “They enquire about orders with regard to drinking and gambling. Say that both are greatly harmful. Even though there is some gain for people in both, the harm therefore is far greater than any possible gain “ (Quran 1:219)
EXERCISE: Islamic teachings lay a great emphasis on health of the body and mind. The daily prayer is itself a form of exercise, as its prescribed movements involve all muscles and joints of the body besides providing a way of meditation and relieving of mental stress. Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and also improves blood sugar and lipid control.
FOOT CARE: Wadu (the ablution) required of Muslims before prayer, involves washing the parts of the body that are generally exposed to grime and dust. This practice helps in Checking the feet daily which is essential in people with diabetes. “ O ye believe ! When you prepare for prayer wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows, rub your heads with water and wash feet to the ankles “ (Quran 5:6).
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: Generally, people when told that they have diabetes , go through the phases of denial, anger and depression. When offering prayers, one surrenders completely to the will of God, thus deriving emotional strength.
Islam also encourages congregational prayers. The prayers not only help the individual in communicating directly to God, but also teach Muslim ‘Ummah’ or the community discipline, and provide a platform for people to come together for each other’s help and support. The concept of the community (Ummah) is the basis of all Muslim prayers, including Hajj.
ECONOMIC SUPPORT: The Muslim community maintains economic equilibrium, as there are a number of ways for economic support to flow from its rich members to the deserving ones, Zakat ( 2.5% of yearly surplus earnings to be given to charity ) is obligatory on those who have a certain economic position. Islam encourage charities as means to cleanse one’s own wealth and in return to be even more prosperous.
“For those who spend out of whatever they have, openly and on the quiet, night and day, their reward is with God, and they have no call to fear or to grieve.” (Quran 2:274)
