If a Medical Doctor Advises Us to Avoid Something, is it Impermissible?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
If a doctor tells us not to eat or avoid something or any food, would that particular food be haram on us to consume, haram like the same as alcohol, pork, smoking, etc.)?
If yes, then what about if the illness or pain has been cured by Allah Most High and it doesn’t exist anymore, would the food that the doctor told us to avoid when we went to him for some particular illness or pain, still be haram even when that illness or pain doesn’t exist anymore?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
If a medical doctor advises one to avoid eating something, then it is considered impermissible medically, not Islamically. This advice is particular for that person due to his illness and dietary lifestyle, which would require him to refrain from certain foods. Once the illness goes away, one may be able to eat those certain foods again, depending on physical health and the doctor’s advice.
One should always keep the following Quranic and Prophetic advice in mind:
Eat and Drink, But Don’t Be Extravagant
Allah Most High says, “…and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” [Quran, 7:31]
Filling Stomach a Third for Food, Drink, Air
Miqdam ibn Ma’dikarib (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The son of Adam cannot fill a vessel worse than his stomach, as it is enough for him to take a few bites to straighten his back. If he cannot do it, then he may fill it with a third of his food, a third of his drink, and a third of his breath.” [Tirmidhi]
Whoever is Healthy, Safe, and Faithful has Everything
‘Ubaydullah ibn Mihsan (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever among you wakes up secure in his property, healthy in his body, and he has his food for the day, it is as if he were given the entire world.” [Tirmidhi]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related
Concepts of Health and Disease within an Islamic Framework (seekersguidance.org)
Being Balanced – Emotional and Mental Health – Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
The Path of Muhammad: Birgivi’s Manual of Taqwa Explained – YouTube
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)?
I pray this helps with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey.
He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His personal interest is the love of books and gardening.
