Topic > Health through Muslim Culture

Growing up in a Middle Eastern family has always been in stark contrast to the Catholic-American backgrounds of my peers. Therefore, it has brought about awareness regarding the vast amount of different perspectives of health, wellness, and rituals revolving around death that are present in each individual's unique bloodline. These cultural differences ultimately highlight the immeasurable customs present in each culture and demonstrate the importance of adhering to and respecting patients' values. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Muslim aspect of my culture, stemming from my father's side, strongly idealizes a healthy lifestyle in mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. In Islam, the body and health are considered essential gifts of God. In the English translation, Imam Ali, son-in-law of the last prophet Muhammad, said: “Health is the best of blessings. One of God's blessings is abundance of wealth; however, better than the abundance of riches is the health of the body” (NanoWisdoms Archive, n.d.). Even when my family members greet each other, the most common phrase used translates to “May God grant you well-being. Aspects that revolve around maintaining optimal health are therefore emphasized, such as maintaining an active lifestyle, which is not only highly accepted, but recommended in Islamic culture. Additionally, relaxation and avoidance of stressful stimuli are strongly encouraged, as the day is dedicated to labor, while the sunset is focused on tranquility and strengthening social relationships with family. When it comes to nutrition, Islamic beliefs follow the principle of moderation, eradicating the importance of what you consume and focusing on how much you consume. Related to food intake, it includes the idea of ​​fasting, a religious practice that teaches one to appreciate the riches that the less fortunate lack, but it also promotes and reinforces the ideal that one should refrain from eating until one is truly hungry and you should stop when you are hungry. they are completely full. The impact of the dying process, from the Muslim perspective, does not see death as a negative ending. Instead, we think of it as a transition of bodies. We believe that life continues in the afterlife and that the individual's actions follow it. Therefore, if you successfully and correctly abide by the laws outlined in the holy book, the Quran, you will live a rewarded life when you enter the afterlife. If one leads a good life, death becomes a reward in which the individual is removed from the corruption of the world. However, if one lives a fraudulent and dishonest life, death deprives the individual of enjoying the beauty of the world, an eternal punishment. When a Muslim is in the declining stage, family and friends are present. Talqeen is performed, which is a ritual that convinces the dying individual to recite a specific prayer that unifies a person with Islam and prepares him or her for the journey to death. As the individual nears his or her last breath, he or she is encouraged to say a prayer known as the “Shahada,” which every Muslim must recite to be formally recognized as a Muslim. When an individual finally dies, his deceased body is washed and covered with white cotton, and the body must be buried within two days. During the burial itself there is no discussion except silent prayers. Due to Islamic customs, socialization is believed to be related to the alleviation of suffering. Therefore, the funeral is followed by a social gathering, almost similar to a party, equipped with aisles of food,.