Four Things Sickens The Body
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“Four things destroy the body:
- Stress (الهمّ)
- Grief (الحزن)
- Hunger (الجوع)
- Staying up late at night (السهر)”**
These are not just physical observations but deeply spiritual insights. Ibn al-Qayyim, a master of both Islamic spirituality and medicine, often linked emotional and physical well-being to one’s spiritual state.
🧠 Understanding the Wisdom Behind Each:
- Stress (الهمّ):
Constant worry weakens the heart and mind, leading to fatigue and illness. Islam encourages reliance on Allah (tawakkul) to ease this burden. - Grief (الحزن):
While grief is natural, prolonged sorrow can consume a person. The Qur’an and Sunnah teach us to find solace in du‘ā, patience, and remembrance of Allah. - Hunger (الجوع):
While fasting has spiritual and health benefits, chronic or excessive hunger weakens the body and mind. Islam promotes moderation and balance in eating. - Staying Up Late (السهر):
Lack of sleep disrupts the body’s natural rhythm. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged early sleep and waking for tahajjud, aligning with both spiritual and physical health.
Imām Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:
