After a month of spiritual rejuvenation, we are back with the Seekers Book Club in April 2025 with the Prophetic Healing by Saiyad Salahuddin Ahmad – held in the cosy, warm space of Wardah Books.
Interactive Healing
Participants were invited to rediscover another dimension of spiritual and communal healing taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The discussion was heavily centered on the importance of interactive healing – a holistic approach that interconnects the health of our physical body, our spiritual soul, innate desires and emotional regulation. A participant shared on how Prophetic Healing might set itself apart from mainstream medicinal practices. It is through the emphasis of our ruh, the spiritual soul, that holds significant importance as our physical body that we should equally pay attention to (even more). This book calls for a more holistic approach to healing that nurtures both the spiritual and physical well-being.
Diet & Culture.
“I just want one bagedil (potato cutlet), but my relatives are putting two more on my plate!” – Prophetic Healing Participant
A resounding hum of agreement filled the spaces of Wardah Books. Many acknowledge our emotions often drive our actions to indulge in a plethora of food beyond our nutritional needs. Furthermore, many point to culture for its extensive influence in curating healthy (and unhealthy) lifestyles. In many societies, the abundance of food in social gatherings signifies wealth and status. Additionally, food serves as a powerful tool for communal bonding, fostering bonds through shared meals. A participant reminisces her moments in festive events such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the Bazaar Ramadan, where food is the centrepiece for the month-long celebration. Hence, many expressed the difficulties in navigating society’s expectations and exercising moderation.
“Do we eat because we are hungry or because of our emotions?” – Prophetic Healing Participant
Cultural diets were definitely not discounted from the discussion! Interestingly, some diet trends are more well-received than others due to cultural influences in the community. In many Asian communities, rice has been demonised as the primary cause of weight gain. This may stem from the cultural norm of rice being the predominant source of carbohydrates in most Asian meals. Hence, many adopt alternative low-carbohydrate diets such as Keto diet in response. We recognise that we should refrain from engaging in label-making practices that demonise certain types of food. Every staple is a form of sustenance, carrying abundant blessings from the Most Generous. Excess or deprivation of a primary nutritional group can be harmful and hence, it is our responsibility to practice moderation, with the guidance of the Most Wise.
“There is no scientific evidence for our current ‘three meals a day plus snack’ diet pattern” – a quote by Dr. Mark Mattson found on page 101 of Prophetic Healing.
Another participant shared how some Islamic books encourage consuming one meal a day and even considers two meals a day as a form of luxury. Some books mentioned were: T’alim al-muta’allim or Instructions of the Students: The Method of Learning written by Burhan Al-Islam Imam al-Zarnuji in the 13th century. In this book, the author recommends consuming dry food over “wet”(not oily) food as it prevents people from feeling slow or lethargic to a point that they can’t focus on learning or studying . Another participant reminisced about an interaction with an older gentleman who shared that a plate of Nasi Lemak was designed as a meal that was nutritionally enough for one to sustain the entire day. Logically, this made sense for Nasi Lemak’s high caloric count.
“Perut berat, mata kelat” – Prophetic Healing participant
A healthcare professional concluded the discussion with a Malay proverb that explained one of the causes of sleepiness is a full and heavy stomach.
Spirit and the Self
“The collective name for the powers of anger and desire, and deprecated attributes. It is the target in his statement (Prophet Muhmmad, peace be upon him), “Your bitterest enemy is your self (ego) which is amidst your two sides.’ It is the target in jihad, and you are ordered to tame.” – definition of the nafs (self) in Mukhtasar Ihya’ Ulum Ad-din by Imam Al-Ghazali, translated from Arabic and annotated by Marwan Khalaf on page 240.
While Western medicine often prioritises physical well-being and cognitive function, Islam offers a holistic approach that equally accentuates the importance of the spiritual self and the nafs, inner desires. Though the nafs is unseen, its effects are deeply felt consciously and unconsciously. If they are left ungoverned, it can overpower our actions and drive our behaviour more heedlessly than that of animals.
A participant who was a personal trainer, reminisces how Ramadan serves as a powerful training camp for the nafs, subjugating the nafs through deliberate acts of worship. The desire to eat is disciplined through fasting; the desire for comfort and sleep is tempered through nightly prayers that are highly encouraged; and the attachment to worldly distractions is gently loosened through dhikr, the remembrance of Allah. Many shared similar sentiments on how fasting has made them attuned to their consumption and how it affected their state to perform acts of worship. Some shared that it was harder to perform terawih, supererogatory prayers, when they broke their fast with a regular meal. However, their body feels more energised when they consume dates and water instead. Ramadan is more than just remembering those in need, but a period of discipline and transforming of the self.
Health and Environment
Laughter filled the air as participants shared their personal interactions being in nature, as a way to unwind from the bustling city life. Healthcare professionals in the space strongly encouraged forest bathing – a Japanese practice that immerses oneself in nature. From our stint with the Green Deen, in collaboration with Fitree, we recognised the dual responsibility we hold towards society and the environment.
“Once we learn to responsibly take care of ourselves better and view humans as part of the nature that we are entrusted with, we can then build better connections with others and form a community that can bring about the change that we crave to see in the world. We often feel overwhelmed when we think about how much one person can do to bring about positive change. And yet the same feeling turns into inspiration when we have a whole community of individuals mobilizing their collective resources instead.” – Talking about Sustainability at a Book Club
From our stint with the Green Deen, in collaboration with Fitree, we came to recognise the dual responsibility and impact we have towards society and the environment. Given the similar importance that the environment plays in our health holistically in the Prophetic Healing book, it just emphasises how human beings and the environment are codependent. We can never exclude one from the other.
Quick Links
- Buy Prophetic Healing from Wardah Books.
- Borrow Prophetic Healing from Maktaba Books
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Written by Wan Nur Zafirah