Can Women Study Ayurveda While Avoiding Impermissible Beliefs?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
In Ayurvedic medicine, we learn both modern and traditional subjects. There is an Ayurvedic belief that the origin of Ayurveda is from Brahma, who possessed knowledge of Ayurveda and passed it on to someone, who in turn passed it on to others, with six students ultimately inheriting the knowledge.
My question is: Is it permissible for women to study Ayurvedic medicine (i.e., BAMS) in India, and is it acceptable to treat patients with Ayurvedic medicine? Please advise.
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 you plan to study Ayurveda in the sense of practicing, promoting, or earning a livelihood from it in the full sense that consists of un-Islamic beliefs, then it is not permissible for a Muslim. However, if you study and practice it while avoiding un-Islamic beliefs and practices and only engage with elements that are considered permissible and normal, then it would be permissible.
Allah Placed Cures for all Diseases, Except Aging
‘Usama ibn Sharik (Allah be pleased with him) reported: A bedouin said, “O Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), shall we not seek treatment?” The Prophet said,
“Yes, O servants of Allah, seek treatment. Verily, Allah did not place a disease but that he also placed its treatment or cure, except for one ailment.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is it?” The Prophet said, “Old age.” [Tirmidhi]
Please see the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, they will provide you with guidance and direction.
Related
- Yoga
- Is it Permissible to use Ayurvedic Medicine?
- Is Meditation to Improve Mental Health Allowed?
- Ayurveda Archives
- Muslim Doctor Archives
- Life as a Muslim Medic & Dentist | Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari – YouTube
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum and progress through each course step by step.
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Currently, he resides in the UK with his wife and is interested in reading and gardening.
