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Abdul Majid
Healing Power of Faith, Prayer and Sacred Readings


Abstract

Healing  has a long and very old history. It is actually man’s fight against spiritual and mental sickness, diseases, maladjustment or any other disorder of this kind. Psychotherapy is a systematic effort to restore the disordered personality to the general pattern of normalcy.

Different methods and techniques have been used in psychotherapy to cure different disorders and mental ailments but the demon of melancholy seems to be devouring the substance of serenity and satisfaction. It is estimated that more than 500 million people worldwide suffer from the ill effects of depression. By 2020 it is expected to be the 2nd most debilitating disease after heart attack. A variety of anti-depressants are suggested as a course of therapy, but there is no recovery. More and more people in the modern societies are attempting to seek pleasure through carnal and corporeal modes of satisfaction. The sacred sources are denied the blessings which they deserved, while the unsanctified avenues are unfolded for immediate gratification, but their dissatisfaction is increasing. Neurosis, depression and suicide are increasing day by day. Now people are realizing that real peace of mind and tranquility can not be gained without turning to God.

Within the past few years it has become generally known in the West that religious beliefs and practices have an important impact on physical and mental health. Religion is commonly relied upon to cope with the stress caused by health problems. Now the medical effects of faith are considered a matter not just of faith but also of science.

Hundreds of scientific studies demonstrate the medical value of religious commitment (including worship attendance, prayer, scripture study, and an active participation in a spiritual community). These benefits include enhanced prevention and treatment of mental disorders (e.g. depression, suicide, and anxiety), medical and surgical illness (e.g.; heart disease, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases), and addiction, reduced pain and disability; and prolonged survival. In addition, spiritual treatment (e.g.; prayer, religiously based psychotherapy) enhances recovery.  A cohesive, comforting set of beliefs and participation in sacred rituals may endow a sense of meaning, purpose, and hope. Several studies have also discovered a connection between religious involvement and immune system function. Likewise, studies of patients with AIDS indicate stronger immune system functioning among those who are more religiously involved.

Discussing in details the aforementioned themes , we‘ll also focus on Islamic concept of healing and well-being. The positive effects of   Prayer, Tahajjid Salat (late night prayer), recitation and invocation (dhikr) will be described in this paper. Many verses of the Holy Quran will be quoted in this paper  to authenticate the point that  the real peace of mind and tranquility lies in faith in Almighty Allah and in His remembrance.  The  Holy Quran declares:

Those who believe, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, do the hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah.

The healing significance of Prayer will be described in detail.  Prophet Mohammad ( Peace be upon him ) said , “Prayer (Duaa) is the heart l and essence  of worship”. In another saying it is described that the most favorite thing to God is to pray to him. The value of prayer is great indeed; prayer is the direct link between man who is certain to die and the Power which is everlasting. It is the gate through which man escapes from his limited confines on earth to the limitless expanse of the Universe. Dr. C. Callender rightly said:

The miracles of spiritual healing should be accepted as the newest medical technology” 
Biography

Professor Abdul Majid  did his  M.Sc &  M. Phil in  Molecular Biology from Quaid-i- Azam University , Islamabad  and  M.A Islamic Studies from University of Peshawar , Peshawar.  He has won  CTNS   Science-Religion Award 2001 on his course Islam and Science on evolution and Creation  and  also development  course award on the same course in 2002. Prof. Majid also won eight  presidential  Seerat awards  on his research articles from 1986 to 2009  . He has attended many national and international conferences on religion and science esp. four  International  conferences organized by Metanexus Institute in Philadelphia , PA .He is an Associate Editor of  the journal of HSSRD– Science- Religion  Dialogue. He  has many published articles both in Urdu and English to  his  credit on different aspects of religion and science. Authors of three  books in Urdu  & co-translator of Dr. John Haught’s books  Science & Religion : From Conflict to conversation;    & Is Nature Enough: Meaning & Truth  in  the Age of Science from English into Urdu. Professor Majid is the founder chairperson of HSSRD (www.hssrd.org) .The Society has the honor to be the first society that has won three consecutive supplemental grant awards   from Metanexus Institute under Local Society Initiative  Program  for its creative programs   for the promotion of science-religion dialogue in Pakistan. Recently  he along with his other colleagues  has founded Society for interaction of Religion , Science and Technology-SIRST- (www.sirst.org ) Pakistan for  promotion of  the noble  cause of Science-Religion Discourse  and Interfaith Harmony.



 

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