Usama b. Sharik told that when God’s messenger was asked whether they should make use of medical treatment he replied, “Yes servants of God, make use of medical treatment, for God has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease; viz., old age.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.
Medicine and Spells - Mishkat al-Masabih 4532
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is to God, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and companions.
Hadith Text and Transmission
The noble hadith narrated by Usama ibn Sharik (may God be pleased with him) states that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked whether medical treatment should be sought, he replied: "Yes, servants of God, make use of medical treatment, for God has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease; viz., old age."
This tradition has been transmitted through sound chains of narration by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, Imam al-Tirmidhi in his Sunan, and Imam Abu Dawud in his Sunan, indicating its authenticity and reliability.
Commentary on Divine Wisdom in Medicine
The Prophet's instruction to seek medical treatment demonstrates that Islam encourages the use of permissible means (asbab) while maintaining reliance on God (tawakkul). The statement affirms that for every disease God has created a cure, reflecting divine wisdom and mercy. This establishes the principle that seeking cure does not contradict faith in divine decree (qadar), but rather complements it.
Scholars explain that this hadith encourages scientific inquiry and medical research, as discovering cures is essentially uncovering what God has already created. The pursuit of medical knowledge thus becomes an act of worship when done with proper intention.
The Exception of Old Age
The exception of old age (shaykhu-khah) from curable diseases is profoundly significant. Classical commentators explain that aging is not a disease in the conventional sense but a natural progression toward the appointed term (ajal) that God has decreed for every soul. While symptoms of aging may be alleviated, the process itself cannot be reversed, serving as a constant reminder of mortality and the transient nature of worldly life.
This exception teaches Muslims to accept the natural course of life while simultaneously encouraging them to seek treatment for preventable and curable illnesses. It strikes a balance between proactive healthcare and spiritual acceptance of divine will.
Legal and Theological Implications
This hadith establishes the Islamic legal position that seeking medical treatment is recommended (mustahabb) and in some cases obligatory (wajib) when neglecting treatment would cause harm. Scholars derive from this that Muslims should not neglect their health based on false understanding of reliance on God.
Theological implications include: affirmation of God's comprehensive knowledge and wisdom; demonstration of divine mercy in providing remedies; and clarification that using permissible means does not diminish faith in divine decree but rather fulfills the purpose of God's creation.
Practical Applications
In practical terms, this teaching encourages Muslims to: maintain good health through preventive measures; seek qualified medical care when ill; support medical research and healthcare institutions; and combine physical treatment with spiritual remedies such as prayer, Quranic recitation, and supplication.
The comprehensive approach integrates physical well-being with spiritual health, recognizing that complete healing comes only from God, while medical treatment serves as the means through which divine mercy operates.