Dealing with Disabled People: An Islamic View

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful the Exceptionally Merciful

INTRODUCTION

We live in a world wherein people are rapidly facing various forms of challenges, many of which affect the people’s physical and mental well-being and lifestyles. Unfortunately, people with disabilities (PWDs) have fallen prey to society’s labelling, stereotypes, misconceptions and prejudices.

These attitudes have led to deprivation of their rights, – such as education, employment and social service rights – mistreatment and exclusion from the main society. Nonetheless, research studies have suggested many positive measures – such as inclusion– to help PWDs cope with the challenges of the disability.

In addendum, Islam being a divine religion ordained by the Ultimate Creator of everything – Allah – does not in any way discriminate against anyone, but rather commands social justice and equal treatment of everyone regardless of their race, nationality, colour or status. The Quran says:

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in sight of Allah is the most righteous…” (Q49 [al-Hujurat] verse 13, cited from Sahih International Translation)

“O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them…” (Q49 [al-Hujurat] verse 11, cited from Sahih International Translation)

Thus, this article aims to discuss how people with disabilities should be treated from an Islamic perspective.

What is disability?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines disability as:

“An umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restriction. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is, a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations.” (World Health Organization, Disability. Retrieved December 10, 2016 from http://www.who.int/topics/disabilties/en/)

How is Disability Viewed in Islam?

Man’s life is full of hardship and tribulation. It is believed in Islam that every hardship a man experiences is a test from Allah and that there is always a divine wisdom behinds every test.  Allah says:

“Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture that We may try him…” Q76 [al-Insaan/Dahr] verse 2 (cited from Sahih International Translation)

“Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” (Q94:6 cited from Sahih International Translation)

Therefore, it is advisable for PWDs to accept the fate that this is a test from Allah to see their true colour. Accepting this will help in adapting to the challenge and focus on other strengths given to them. When Allah deprives someone a particular ability, He compensates him for it, by bestowing upon him other abilities in which he excels.  

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“If any Muslim who suffers some calamity says, what Allah has commanded him, “We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return; O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give something better than it in exchange for it,”Allah will give him something better than it in exchange…” (Narrated by Umm Salama recorded by Imaam Muslim in Sahih Muslim, Book 4, No 1999)

How Should Disabled People be Treated in Islam?

Research studies have suggested numerous positive measures to help PWDs which are accord to Islam practices. Some of these ways in which PWDs should be treated in Islam are discussed below.

ü Inclusion

Miller and Katz (2002) present a common definition for inclusion as:

“A sense of belonging: feeling respected, valued for who you are; feeling a level of supportive energy and commitment from others so that you can do your best work.” (Hurisa G., (2008), People with Disabilities from an Islamic Perspective)

Therefore, PWDs should be included in the community as Islam promotes social justice and equal treatment of every member of a community; it requires mutual respect of fellow man, it teaches that everyone deserves to be cared for, loved and respected and it prohibits discrimination, prejudice and exclusion from the community.

Every member of the community is required to show mercy to others regardless of their health condition. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Those who do not show mercy to our young ones and do not realise the right of our elders are not from us.” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Book 43, Hadith 171)

Historically, Islamic community has a shining record of many examples of PWDs who were included in the community and held a prominent status in the society. Some of these people were:

Abdullah ibn Maktum who was a blind Sahabah (companion of Prophet Muhammad [PBUH]), he was among the firsts to accept Islam and he was put in charge of Madinah on several occasions in the absence of the prophet (PBUH). Atta ibn Abi Rabah – a lame and paralyzed man and he was the greatest Mufti in Makkah. Others include: Abu’l Ala al-Ma’arri, Abu Uthman Amr bin Bahr (Al-Jahiz), Bashshar ibn Burd, Ibn-Sirin, Qatada ibn Di’ama al-Sadusi, Muwaffaq al-Din Muzaffar, and Thalab. (Hurisa G., (2008), People with Disabilities from an Islamic Perspective)

Thus, Muslims should welcome disabled people to the open society, give them opportunity to participate actively in the society and deal with them in the kindest manners.

ü Reduction of Obligations and Relieving of Burden and Responsibility

Islam is a religion of peace and ease which does not want or cause difficulty for anyone. Allah says:

“…Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship…” (Q2:185 cited from Saheeh International Translation)

Islam considers the physical and spiritual well-being of people in its legislation. In case of PWDs or any other form of illnesses, Islam accommodates and reduces their obligations. For instance, it is known that Salat is read while standing but permission is given to people who cannot stand to sit, lay or make gesture. The Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] said:

“Pray while standing and if you cannot, pray while sitting and if you cannot do even that, then pray lying on your side.” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2, Book 20, No 218)

Allah says in the Quran:

“…remember Allah while standing or sitting or lying on their sides…” (Q3:191 cited from Saheeh International Translation)

Based on this, the Muslim community should provide all basic needs for the PWDs and reduce their responsibilities to only that which they can bear. The Muslim community should establish schools for PWDs with necessary facilities to facilitate their learning and as well provide rehabilitation centres and medical care for them.  Example of this could be seen in the Islamic history during the Umayyad caliphate: al-Walid ibn Abdul-Malik built first care home for the intellectually disabled. Likewise, deaf servants were taught sign language at the Ottoman court.

Other accommodations that could be provided for the PWDs include:

1.      Honouring them and providing their needs. The prophet (PBUH)said:

“You are given sustenance and victory for the virtue of those who are weak amongst you.” (Abu Dawood)

2.      Visiting, consoling and praying for them.

3.      Islam prohibits mocking, bullying and arrogance.

4.     Relieving their burdens and responsibilities

5.      Teaching them the religion with kindness and mercy

Conclusion

This table summarized how disabled people have been dealt with in history:

21st Century	PWDs are struggling for their rights, they are excluded from social services
20th Century	Struggling for rights. Disabled activists campaigned against euthanasia. Exclusion from society.
The Third Reich	Series of propaganda films to show how disabled people were “useless eater”, were considered as a burden to the state and should be sterilized.
Early 20th Century	Eugenicist ideas led to increase in institutionalization or sterilization of PWDs. UK mental deficiency Act of 1913 categorized PWDs as: idiots, imbeciles, feeble minded and moral defective
19th Century	Greater segregation of PWDs. PWDs were viewed as “worthy poor” They became more dependent on medical practitioners

(Retrieved December 6, 2016 from The History of Attitudes to Disabled People, https://attitudes2disability.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/historical-outline/ )

In the light of the above discussion, it is understood that disabled people have fallen prey to the society’s discrimination, stereotype, and prejudice which have led to the deprivation of their rights in the society. However, Islam accommodates and recognizes everyone. It propagates unity, social justice and equality.

A person’s worth is not based on any physical or materials characteristics but on piety. Therefore, this is the reason participation in the community is not restricted to some certain people, but to everyone as it has been seen in this article how some disabled people had been given prominent status to hold and how they had been cared for.

It is hoped that this article has provided insight in understanding how people with disability should be treated and related to in Islam. 

Authored by Yusuff Ademola Adesina

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REFERENCE

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World Health Organization, Disability. Retrieved December 10, 2016 from                       http://www.who.int/topics/disabilties/en/

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