For illness, Islam prescribes both prayer and medicine

Friday sermon warns worshippers not to rely solely on ruqya.

Today's sermon reminds Muslims of the vital role modern medicine plays in restoring health - and warns worshippers against relying solely on prayer. "Treating diseases medically is legitimate and does not contradict reliance on God Almighty," reads the sermon. "If a person falls ill he goes to specialised doctors, and Islam has called for the reliance on medicine."

It cites a hadith by the Prophet Mohammed: "Use medicine, for God does not send an illness without sending a cure." Religious scholars often insist that individuals fulfill their obligation of using scientifically established medical procedures as a practical step in addition to asking God for assistance in recovery. This helps avoid a situation in which Muslims rely exclusively on prayer while avoiding vital medication.

Quranic verses can be used as a form of emotional healing, said Dr Ahmed al Qubaissy, the head of Islamic Studies at United Arab Emirates University and Baghdad University. "Any creature has a material side and an emotional side," he said. "The material side gets treated like other creatures through medicine, but emotions and feelings can fall sick like the body and require treatment." Muslims can complement the use of modern medicine with Quranic verses and prayers that are traditionally used for sick individuals, the sermon says. This practice is known as "ruqya".

Dr al Qubaissy said that while individuals should seek out scientific medication first, ruqya was a form of treatment that could have clear, physical effects and could help combat emotional distress. "You have to go to a doctor while relying on God. If the reasonable [cure] does not work, then you can try [the spiritual]," he said. The sermon says that ruqya has a role to play in treatment and that the Prophet himself endorsed the practice.

Individuals can draw from the healing powers of the Quran by reading the verses and seeking God's assistance by themselves, the sermon says. They should not rely on frauds who claim the ability to bestow Quranic healing. Still, the sermon insists that seeking out ruqya should not undermine the use of medicine. "Servants of Allah, avoid the quacks and charlatans, and seek out the trusted scholars and specialised doctors," it instructs worshippers.