I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions were sitting as if they had birds on their heads. I saluted and sat down. The desert Arabs then came from here and there. They asked: Messenger of Allah, should we make use of medical treatment? He replied: Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age.
Hadith Text - Sunan Abi Dawud 3855
"I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions were sitting as if they had birds on their heads. I saluted and sat down. The desert Arabs then came from here and there. They asked: Messenger of Allah, should we make use of medical treatment? He replied: Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age."
Contextual Analysis
The opening description of the Companions "sitting as if they had birds on their heads" indicates their profound stillness and reverence in the Prophet's presence, reflecting the solemnity of the gathering. The desert Arabs' question reveals their uncertainty about whether seeking medical treatment contradicts reliance on Allah (tawakkul).
Legal Ruling on Medical Treatment
The Prophet's clear command "Make use of medical treatment" establishes the permissibility and even recommendation of seeking cures. This demonstrates that Islam encourages proactive healthcare and rejects passive fatalism. Medical treatment is part of divine decree (qadar) and seeking cure does not contradict tawakkul, but rather completes it through taking lawful means (asbab).
Divine Wisdom in Creation
"Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy" reveals the perfect wisdom and mercy of Allah's creation. For every ailment, Allah has created both the disease and its potential cure in the natural world. This encourages scientific exploration and medical research as acts of worship through discovering Allah's signs in creation.
The Exception of Old Age
The exception of "old age" (shaykhukha) clarifies that natural aging is not a disease to be cured but a divinely ordained life process leading to death. While we may treat symptoms associated with aging, the aging process itself is inevitable and part of Allah's universal law. This teaches acceptance of natural life cycles while actively treating preventable illnesses.
Practical Implications
This hadith from Medicine (Kitab Al-Tibb) establishes the Islamic foundation for: 1) The obligation to seek medical care when ill, 2) The religious merit in medical professions, 3) The compatibility of faith and science, 4) The balance between effort and reliance on Allah, and 5) The importance of maintaining health as a trust from Allah.