Does Medical Care increase life span?

[Princess Royal]

Fatwa - Does Medical Care increase life span?

From Fatawah Islamiyyah Vol. 1 and 2

Published by Darussalaam

Does Medical Care increase life span?

I have read in an article published in a magazine, the following statement: "There is no doubt, as previously explained, that the better the medical care becomes, the lower the death cases become, and the population increases."

Although medical care is an effective cause for physical health, and disease resistance, but it does not interfere with the limited man's life span whose term is restricted to Allah, Who says: "And when their term comes to an end, neither can they delay it nor can they advance if for an hour (or a moment)." [Soorah al-A'raf (7): 34] Hence, I would like to know whether medical care does extend life span as the writer of the article claims. If what he claims is not true as proved by the verse above, then please clarify.

Allah has already fore-ordained the cause-and-effect principle for His creatures by making one thing the result of another, such as reproduction being the result of intercourse, and the growth of crops the result of planting seeds in the earth and watering them, burning the result of fire, soaking or wetting by water and other such causes and effects. Allah, the Most High, says: "We made from water every living thing." [Soorah al-Ambiya (21): 30] and He says: "And We have sent down from the rain clouds water in abundance, that We may produce therewith corn and vegetation and gardens of thick growth." [Soorah an-Naba (78): 14-16] And He says: "And We send down from the sky blessed water, then We produce therewith gardens and grain for harvests and tall date palms, with ranged clusters, a provision for (Allah's) slaves, and We give life therewith to a dead land. Thus will be the resurrection of the dead." [Soorah al-Qaf (50): 9-11] And He says: "And He caused rain to descend on you from the heaven, to clean you thereby and to remove from you the Rijz (whispering, evil suggestions, etc.) of Shaytan and to strengthen your hearts, and make your feet firm thereby." [Soorah al-Anfal (8): 11]

These verses and their like mention physical causes along with physical and immaterial effects which Allah has bound together, making the former a cause of the latter. All of these are from Allah's creation, by virtue of His Decree and Predestination. Here immaterial things result from them although Allah is Able to create such results without causes. It is His Way, however, to create such results - the former from the latter the wisdom of which is known only to Him. He, the Most High, says: "(This is) a Book, the verses of which are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.) and then explained in detail by One Who is Most Wise and Well-acquainted (with all things) (saying: "Worship none other than Allah. Verily, I (Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) am from Him unto you and a bringer of glad tidings." And (commanding you): "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointment, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves the needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)." [Soorah Hud (11): 1-3]

His Prophet Hud (alaihi as-salaam) preached to his people: "O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord. And then turn to Him (in repentance): He will send you (from) the sky abundant rain, and add strength to your strength: so do not turn away as Mujrimun (i.e. criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah)." [Soorah Hud (11): 52]

And He says, concerning His Prophet Nuh (alaihi as-salaam) and his preaching to his people: "O my people! Verily, I am a plain warner to you that you should worship Allah (Alone), fear Him and obey me. He will forgive you your sins and give you a respite to an appointed term. Verily, the term of Allah, when it comes, cannot be delayed, if you but knew." [Soorah Nuh (71): 2-4]

And He, the Most High, says concerning His Messengers (alaihimus-salaam) and their preaching to their peoples that they said: "Their Messengers said: 'Is there a doubt about Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth? He calls you (to Monotheism and to be obedient to Allah), that He may forgive you your sins and give you respite for a term appointed." [Soorah Ibrahim (14): 10]

Allah, the Most High, also mentions that a number of the hypocrites said about their brothers who were killed in the battle of Uhud: "If they had stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed." [Soorah aali-Imran (3): 156] So He, the Most High commanded His Messenger, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to say to them: "Even if you had remained in your homes, those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone forth to the place of their death." [Soorah aali-Imran (3): 154]

So, He has made it clear that the taking of life is guaranteed and that the death would occur by virtue of that decree, not before its time, nor without a cause.

It is also authentically reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Whoever would like that his means of sustenance be expanded for him or that his age be extended, then he should maintain the womb (family ties)." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

Based upon this, (we may say that) "Medical care is an effective cause for physical healing and disease resistance", as the questioner said, but by Allah's Permission and within His Knowledge. He made that care a cause that produced an effect and He organized its effects by virtue of His Command and His Decree in accordance with His Knowledge.

So it is clear from this that the causes are a factor in the effect, since Allah has made for them a cause, and since He, the Most High, has commanded us to undertake the necessary measures in the hope that Allah will arrange the desired effect, not for their own sake nor because of any independent influence on the results, but because Allah has given them an influence. And if Allah had wished to deprive them of their intrinsic qualities, He would do so, such as when He deprived the fire of its attribute (of heat) and so it did not burn His Friend, Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam), instead it was cold and safe for him; and His removing the flow and ability to drown from the sea, so that Musa (alaihi as-salaam) and his people were able to pass in security and safety. Yet he returned those attributes to it when Pharoah and those with him passed, thereby drowning them. So, the effects are subject to their causes, according to (Allah's) Command and Ordainment. Even the time of death, whether it be later or sooner is related to whether one is careful or careless, in accordance with Allah's Knowledge. Therefore, the statement of the questioner, that health care has no part in the matter of the time of one's death is not absolutely correct, for it has a role in it as has already been explained.

May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and upon his family and companions.


http://www.ahya.org/amm/modules.php?...icle&artid=171

[zaman]

Yes medical care increase life Span
i have myself visited Japan ,china
their average life is 80-90 years.while in pakistan its 50-60 years

now question arises why this is so????

option 1 one option may be that ,Allah has given them more life Span,and all people of long life span has created in Japan ,china(as an example),while less age Span in pakistan
option 2
those people are hard working,they do regular excercises,they live in clean environment ,and they avoid sweets ,and fats ,so they are healthy and so have long life Span and this long life span is awarded by Allah ,Allah is aware and also was aware at the time of creation of Insan that how a particular will live in life and how much life he will avail.

Its also clear from some Hadis that life will be increased if you do this or that.

So hope you will be cleared /