لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Prophet's guidance concerning feeding the sick with what they like and not forcing them to eat or drink

فصل فِي هَدْيِهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي مُعَالَجَةِ الْمَرْضَى بِتَرْكِ إِعْطَائِهِمْ مَا يَكْرَهُونَهُ مِنَ الطعام والشراب، وأنهم لا يكرهون على تناولها

Guidance of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم on treating patients by not forcing them to eat or drink when they dislike it. It emphasizes that they should not be compelled to consume food or drink against their will.

روى الترمذي في جامعه، وابنُ ماجه، عن عقبة بن عامر الجُهَنِي، قال: قال رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: لا تُكْرِهوا مَرضاكُم عَلَى الطَّعامِ والشَّرابِ، فإنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وجَلَّ يُطْعِمُهُم ويَسْقِيهمْ

The Hadith, reported by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, quotes the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: “Do not force your sick to eat or drink, for indeed Allah Almighty feeds them and gives them drink.”

Some knowledgeable physicians have praised the wisdom of this prophetic statement, especially in the field of medicine and patient care. They highlight that when a patient loses his appetite for food or drink, it often indicates that his body is preoccupied with fighting the illness, or that his natural heat has weakened, reducing or eliminating his desire for food. In such a state, it is not appropriate to force the patient to eat, as the body cannot process the food properly.

The phrase “Allah feeds them and gives them drink” implies that Allah sustains the patient’s strength and nourishes him in a way that compensates for the absence of food and drink, helping to maintain his life and bodily functions.

Some skilled physicians emphasize the profound wisdom in this saying, especially regarding patient care. When the body is fighting illness, the natural functions focus on managing the illness rather than processing food. Forcing food or drink in such conditions can disrupt the body's healing process and may even worsen the illness, in such cases, only light, easy-to-digest fluids or foods should be given to the patient—such as certain drinks or soups that do not burden the digestive system.

It is mentioned that good-quality blood nourishes the body, and in some cases, the body can process excess phlegm into nourishment. Thus, the body can sustain itself without external food for a while, during which it converts existing resources into energy.

In rare cases, if a patient’s mind is disturbed, food may need to be administered forcibly. However, the Hadith primarily guides against forcing food or drink unless absolutely necessary, and the body's natural processes should be respected during illness.

The phrase “Allah feeds them and gives them drink” also suggests a deeper spiritual understanding, indicating that a person's spirit and emotions can greatly influence their physical health. A strong spiritual connection, especially in times of illness, can affect the body's natural processes in ways beyond what physical medicine can explain.

When the soul is preoccupied with something significant—whether it is a source of great happiness, pain, or fear—it can divert the body’s attention from its usual demands for food and drink. For example, when someone is deeply joyful, their body might feel energized and their face may even flush with blood, showing how the heart and blood respond to intense emotions. In this state, the body’s natural desire for food decreases, as the joy itself sustains the person, filling him with strength and vitality.

On the other hand, when someone is overwhelmed by pain, sadness, or fear, their soul becomes preoccupied with defending itself against these emotions, leaving little attention for physical nourishment. During such times, the body's natural appetite is suppressed as the person is focused on battling the emotional or mental distress.

If the individual wins the internal battle against such difficult emotions, he can regain his strength without needing much food. However, if he is overcome by the distress, his physical and emotional strength may weaken accordingly. In such cases, the body may struggle between gaining and losing strength, much like a physical battle between two opponents, with victory bringing recovery and defeat leading to further decline.

For the sick, there is an additional source of sustenance from Allah, beyond what medical professionals typically recognize. This divine support can sustain a person according to his level of spiritual humility, surrender to Allah, and nearness to Him. It is suggested that when someone is close to Allah, especially in a state of broken-heartedness or humility, he receives nourishment for the soul that also strengthens his body, often beyond what physical food could provide.

People have witnessed similar phenomena in those passionately consumed by their love or attachment to worldly desires, whether for beauty, status, wealth, or knowledge. Such individuals can neglect their physical needs due to the overwhelming focus of their soul on their object of affection.

وَقَدْ ثَبَتَ فِي الصَّحِيحِ : عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُوَاصِلُ فِي الصِّيَامِ الْأَيَّامَ ذَوَاتِ الْعَدَدِ، وَيَنْهَى أَصْحَابَهُ عَنِ الْوِصَالِ وَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ كَهَيْئَتِكُمْ إِنِّي أَظَلُّ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِي (أخرجه البخاري ومسلم في الصيام)

"It has been confirmed in ‘Sahih’ that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would continue fasting for several consecutive days without breaking it, while advising his companions not to do the same, saying, ‘I am not like you; my Lord feeds me and gives me drink.’

It is understood that the "food and drink" mentioned here are not physical sustenance consumed through the mouth. If that were the case, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would not be continuing the fast, and the distinction would not hold, nor would he be truly fasting. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم made it clear that he could endure *Wisaal ~ وصال* (continuous fasting for many days) because Allah provided him with nourishment that was spiritual rather than physical.

He distinguished between his ability to fast continuously and the limitations of others, indicating that he received a type of nourishment from Allah that sustained him in ways beyond what regular food and drink could. This shows that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was blessed with a unique spiritual sustenance that kept him strong and energized.

Those who fail to understand this concept often have a limited view of spiritual nourishment. They overlook the profound impact that spiritual sustenance can have on one's strength and vitality, often surpassing the effects of physical food. Allah is the one who grants understanding and success in comprehending such spiritual realities.

This discussion highlights the intricate relationship between spiritual and physical health, suggesting that for believers, their connection to Allah can serve as a profound source of strength and nourishment, sometimes more powerful than physical food or drink.