Health Practices of Islam

According from what Ive searched Islam is a religion that was established by the Prophet Muhammad who was commissioned as
a Messenger of God. It is also the modern or latest version of the message sent by God through some prophets, e.g. Adam,
Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Not only is it associated with the mental aspect, however, it also impacts every part of life,
from eating and sleeping to working and playing. It can be, therefore, considered a way of life. An adherent of Islam is called
a Muslim. Muslims believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed at many times
and places before, including through Abraham, Moses and Jesus, whom they consider prophets. They maintain that previous
messages and revelations have been partially changed or corrupted over time, but consider the Qur'an to be both the unaltered
and the final revelation of God, Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and
obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, providing
guidance on multifarious topics from banking and welfare, to warfare and the environment.
Common Islamic practices surrounding the birth of a child
Birth Attendants
Muslim women tend to prefer all-female attendants at the birth, whether they are doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, or female
relatives. However, it is permissible in Islam for male doctors to attend to a pregnant woman. There is no Islamic teaching that
prohibits fathers from attending the birth of their child; this is left up to personal choice.
Call to Prayer (Adhan)
The practice of regular prayer is the most fundamental practice in Islam. Muslim prayer, which is performed five times a day,
can be performed almost anywhere either individually or in congregation. The time of prayer is announced by the Call to Prayer
(adhan) which is called from the Muslim place of worship (mosque/masjed). These beautiful words which call the Muslim
community to prayer five times a day are also the first words the Muslim baby will hear. The father or a family elder
will whisper these words in the baby's ear shortly after its birth.
Circumcision
Islam prescribes male circumcision with the sole purpose of facilitating cleanliness. The male child may be circumcised at any
time which is convenient without ceremony; however parents usually have their son circumcised before his trip home from the
hospital.
Breastfeeding
Muslim women are encouraged to give their children the nourishment of breast milk. The Quran instructs that if a woman
breastfeeds her children, their period of weaning are two years.
'Aqeeqah
To celebrate a child's birth, it is recommended that a father slaughter one or two animals (sheep or goats). One third of the
meat is given away to the poor, and the rest shared in a community meal. Relatives, friends, and neighbors are thus invited to
share in celebrating the happy event. This is traditionally done the seventh day after the child's birth, but may be postponed to
later. The name for this event comes from the Arabic word 'aq, which means "cut." This is also traditionally the time when the
child's hair is cut or shaved (see below).

Shaving the Head

It is traditional, but not required, for parents to shave the hair of their newborn child on the seventh day after birth. The hair
is weighed, and an equivalent amount in silver or gold is donated to the poor.
Naming the Child
One of the very first duties that parents have toward a new child, besides physical care and love, is to give the child a
meaningful Muslim name. It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, you will be
called by your names and by your fathers' names, so give yourselves good names" (Hadith Abu Dawud). Muslim children are
usually named within seven days of their birth.
Visitors
Of course new mothers traditionally get many happy visitors. Among Muslims, visiting and assisting the indisposed is a basic
form of worship to bring one closer to God. For this reason, the new Muslim mother will often have many female visitors. It is
common for close family members to visit right away, and for other visitors to wait until a week or more after birth in order to
protect the child from exposure to illnesses. The new mother is in convalescence for a period of 40 days, during which friends
and relatives will often provide the family with meals.
Adoption
Although allowed, adoption in Islam is subject to certain parameters. the Qur'an gives specific rules about the legal relationship
between a child and his/her adoptive family. The child's biological family is never hidden; their ties to the child are never
severed.
Traditional Healing Beliefs & Practices
Herbs, Foods, Charms with Qur'anic Verses
Many Muslims may be employ prophetic medicine as part of their system of healthcare. Prophetic medicine is based on the
recommendations of the Prophet Muhammad, recorded in the hadith (reports) and certain verses of the Quran. The prohibition
of pork, alcohol, and other intoxicants, the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables, dates, yogurt, milk, and the avoidance
of overeating are aspects of this prophetic medicine. The use of honey and black seed (nigella sativa) products are particularly
widespread as preventative medicines and treatments for a variety of gastrointestinal and dermatological ailments.
Unani Medicine as Alternative Medicine
Some Muslims, particularly from South Asia, may practice forms of traditional Arabic or Unani (lit., Greek) medicine. The
system is based on a humoral theory of wet/dry, hot/cold humors in the body, whose balance defines health. The use of food
and herbs to reestablish proper equilibrium form the basis of this practice. Traditional doctors are known as Hakims, and their
practice usually includes aspects of herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, and chiropractic.
Evil Eye
Many Muslims believe that an evil eye, which originates as a jealous look or comment upon the good fortune of another, may
initiate an adverse event for another, with or without the agency of a sorcerer or jinn (spirit). The evil eye may be averted by
adding the phrase Ma sha Allah, meaning Whatever God wills, before offering a compliment. The evil eye may cause
physical ailments, mental illness, or failure in relationships or business. A specialist may reverse the effects of an evil eye
through a number of methods, including reading specially selected verses of the Quran. Though frowned upon by more orthodox
Muslims, some traditional healers will also use amulets, charms, and sacrifices to the spirits to dispel evil influences.

Spiritual / Prophetic Healing

Following the basic assumption that God is the ultimate Healer in whom all must seek refuge, and that the divine word,
expressed in the Quran, has the power to heal body, mind, and soul, many Muslims employ spiritual healing as part of their
treatment plan. Spiritual remedies include reciting the Quran over the site of pain, offering special petitions, and exorcism of
evil jinn.

Etiquette and diet

Many practices fall in the category of adab, or Islamic etiquette. This includes greeting others with "as-salamu `alaykum"
("peace be unto you"), saying bismillah ("in the name of God") before meals, and using only the right hand for eating and
drinking. Islamic hygienic practices mainly fall into the category of personal cleanliness and health. Circumcision of male
offspring is also practiced in Islam. Islamic burial rituals include saying the Salat al-Janazah ("funeral prayer") over the bathed
and enshrouded dead body, and burying it in a grave. Muslims are restricted in their diet. Prohibited foods include pork
products, blood, carrion, and alcohol. All meat must come from a herbivorous animal slaughtered in the name of God by a Muslim,
Jew, or Christian, with the exception of game that one has hunted or fished for oneself. Food permissible for Muslims is known
as halal food.
Care for the Dying
When a Muslim is near death, those around him or her are called upon to give comfort, and reminders of God's mercy and
forgiveness. They may recite verses from the Qur'an, give physical comfort, and encourage the dying one to recite words of
remembrance and prayer. It is recommended, if at all possible, for a Muslim's last words to be the declaration of faith: "I bear
witness that there is no god but Allah."
Upon death, those with the deceased are encouraged to remain calm, pray for the departed, and begin preparations for burial.
The eyes of the deceased should be closed, and the body covered temporarily with a clean sheet. It is forbidden for those in
mourning to excessively wail, scream, or thrash about. Grief is normal when one has lost a loved one, and it is natural and
permitted to cry. When the Prophet Muhammad's own son died, he said: "The eyes shed tears and the heart is grieved, but we
will not say anything except which pleases our Lord." One should strive to be patient, and remember that Allah is the One who
gives life and takes it away, at a time appointed by Him. It is not for us to question His wisdom.
Muslims strive to bury the deceased as soon as possible after death, avoiding the need for embalming or otherwise disturbing
the body of the deceased. An autopsy may be performed, if necessary, but should be done with the utmost respect for the
dead.

REFERENCES:

-http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2723276/
-http://islam.about.com/od/parenting/tp/Islamic-Birth-Rites.htm
-http://islam.about.com/cs/elderly/a/funerals.htm
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam