The Blessing of Health: A Divine Trust from Allah
Today’s Hadith
Narrated by Ibn Abbas (ุฑุถู ุงููู ุนููู ุง):“There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” โ Sahih al-Bukhari 6412
Arabic Text
ูุงู ุฑุณูู ุงููู ุตูู ุงููู ุนููู ูุณูู :“ููุนูู ูุชูุงูู ู ูุบูุจูููู ูููููู ูุง ููุซููุฑู ู ููู ุงููููุงุณู: ุงูุตููุญููุฉู ููุงููููุฑูุงุบู”
Reflection and Understanding
This profound hadith reminds us of two precious gifts that Allah (ุณุจุญุงูู ูุชุนุงูู) has bestowed upon us: health and free time. The Prophet (ุตูู ุงููู ุนููู ูุณูู ) used the word “ู ูุบูุจููู” (maghbun), which means “cheated” or “at a loss,” indicating that many people fail to recognize the true value of these blessings.
The Wisdom Behind Health as a Blessing
Health is not merely the absence of illnessโit is a comprehensive state of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being that enables us to worship Allah properly and fulfill our duties as Muslims. When we are healthy, we can:- Perform our five daily prayers with ease and concentration
- Fast during Ramadan without undue hardship
- Give charity and help others in need
- Seek knowledge and grow spiritually
- Maintain family relationships and community bonds
Lessons from the Sunnah
The Prophet Muhammad (ุตูู ุงููู ุนููู ูุณูู ) demonstrated through his actions how to maintain good health:- Moderation in eating: “The son of Adam fills no worse vessel than his stomach” (Tirmidhi)
- Regular physical activity: Walking, riding, and encouraging sports
- Cleanliness and hygiene: Emphasis on personal and environmental cleanliness
- Balanced lifestyle: Adequate rest, work, worship, and family time
- Positive mindset: Avoiding excessive worry and trusting in Allah
Practical Applications for Today
1. Gratitude Practice
Start each day by thanking Allah for the gift of health. Make it a habit to say:“Alhamdulillahi rabbil alameen” (All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds)
2. Healthy Lifestyle Choices
- Eat nutritious, halal food in moderation
- Exercise regularly (even walking is Sunnah)
- Get adequate sleep and rest
- Avoid harmful substances and habits
3. Use Health for Good Deeds
- Volunteer in your community
- Help elderly neighbors with physical tasks
- Participate in Islamic activities and programs
- Share knowledge and teach others
4. Regular Health Check-ups
Taking care of our bodies is an Islamic obligation. The Prophet (ุตูู ุงููู ุนููู ูุณูู ) said:“Your body has a right over you” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Du’a for Health and Well-being
Arabic:“ุงููููููู ูู ุฃูุตูููุญู ููู ุฏููููู ุงูููุฐูู ูููู ุนูุตูู ูุฉู ุฃูู ูุฑููุ ููุฃูุตูููุญู ููู ุฏูููููุงูู ุงูููุชูู ูููููุง ู ูุนูุงุดููุ ููุฃูุตูููุญู ููู ุขุฎูุฑูุชูู ุงูููุชูู ูููููุง ู ูุนูุงุฏููุ ููุงุฌูุนููู ุงููุญูููุงุฉู ุฒูููุงุฏูุฉู ููู ููู ููููู ุฎูููุฑูุ ููุงุฌูุนููู ุงููู ูููุชู ุฑุงุญูุฉู ููู ู ููู ููููู ุดูุฑูู”
Translation:“O Allah, make my religion good for me, for it is the safeguard of my affairs. Make my worldly life good for me, for it contains my livelihood. Make my afterlife good for me, for it is my return. Make my life a source of abundance in all good, and make my death a relief from all evil.”
Questions for Self-Reflection
- How am I currently using the blessing of health that Allah has given me?
- Am I taking care of my body as a trust (amanah) from Allah?
- What positive changes can I make to my lifestyle to better honor this blessing?
- How can I use my health to serve Allah and help others?
Conclusion
Health is indeed a precious gift from Allah (ุณุจุญุงูู ูุชุนุงูู) that we often take for granted. This hadith serves as a gentle reminder to appreciate our well-being while we have it and to use it in ways that please our Creator. Let us not be among those who realize the value of health only after losing it. May Allah grant us all good health, and may we use this blessing to draw closer to Him and serve His creation.Ameen. Follow Smart Islamic Life for more daily hadith reflections, Islamic health tips, and spiritual guidance.
