Question

 I am confused about the meaning of this Hadith. It is narrated in the Sahihain that the Messenger of Allah said:

“Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has also sent down its cure.”

I do not deny the Hadith, but I’m confused on the meaning because some people have what is known as incurable diseases such as the Aids virus, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and a few others.

In light of this can you kindly explain the Hadith?

Answer

As Muslims, we believe that Allah Ta’ala can cure every disease.

Therefore consider the following:

1. The Hadith in Sahihayn (Bukhari and Muslim) states that Allah Ta’ala has sent the cure for every disease to earth. If medical professionals haven’t found any cure for particular diseases, it proves their lack of research, nothing else. This is supported by the version of the Hadith recorded in Musnad Ahmad wherein Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told him, “Allah has not sent down any sickness except that He sent a cure for it as well. Those who know it, know it and those who are unaware of it are unaware of it.” (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 377, Hadith: 3578)

2. The Hadith didn’t specify any particular form of treatment/medication. It is possible, that the cure for certain diseases is found in plants or herbs that have not yet been explored by the scientists.

3. There are numerous incidents of people who were cured through alternate medicine after failing with the medical prescriptions and vice versa. Many of them had the diseases that you term as “incurable”.

4. It is also possible that some patients are cured with a particular treatment and not others. In reality, it is Allah Ta’ala Himself who puts the cure in these treatments.

5. One should continue searching for a cure for his ailment. In addition to this, du’a can be a potent cure too, and should therefore not be overlooked.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

مسند أحمد: (١/ ٣٧٧)
(٣٥٧٨) – حدثنا سفيان، عن عطاء، عن أبي عبد الرحمن، قال: سمعت عبد الله بن مسعود، يبلغ به النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «ما أَنْزَلَ الله داء، إلا قد أَنْزَلَ له شِفاءٌ، عَلِمَه مَن عَلِمَهُ، وَجَهِلَهُ مِن جَهِلَهُ».