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Paper presented by Dr Omar Hasan Kasule Sr. MB ChB (MUK), MPH (Harvard), DrPH (Harvard) professor of Epidemiology and Islamic Medicine at Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Visiting Professor of Epidemiology at Universiti Malaya at the 2nd Health Seminar of the Faculty of Medicine Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia held on 17th March 2007 at the Crown Princess Hotel Ampang Kuala Lumpur
ABSTRACT
The paper discusses three approaches in which Islamic teachings contribute to disease prevention. The first approach consists of teachings of the prophet on personal and environmental hygiene, accident prevention, anti-epidemic measures, and considerations of hereditary diseases in selecting a spouse. Among examples of preventive measures discussed by the paper are: quarantine for epidemics, hijr sihhi; forbidding urination in stagnant water, bawl fi mai raqid; use of tooth stick, siwaak; and precautions in the house at night regarding fire and pests. The second approach includes teachings of the prophet on control of addictive appetites for food, intoxicants, material possessions, and sexual enjoyment. The third approach are teachings of the prophet on health promotion such as physical exercise, living a balanced stress-free life, meditation to achieve mental balance, reciting the Qur’an and other forms of ‘ibadat that promote mental health.