Home > Islamic Answers > Themes > Diabetes
not a reference

Diabetes

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 11:39
Islamic Answers Theme: 
Health

The Quran reminds us that our bodies are an amanah, a trust from Allah, and so we have a duty to take care of our health. It is important to take responsibility for your health, listening to the information that GPs and nurses provide about medicine, diet, exercise and lifestyle.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious long term illness that can affect the quality of your life. However, diabetes can be managed.

Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar or glucose in the blood. Although glucose is needed for the body to work well, this sugar remains in the blood rather than going to the heart or body to help it work as it should do.

Another reason why people may have diabetes is because the body is notproducing enough insulin or using insulin efficiently enough. Insulin is vital for changing sugar (glucose) into energy for the body to use.

People from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan or India are more likely to have diabetes. One reason for this can be the amount of weight around the stomach which can increase your chances of having diabetes.

Signs of diabetes:

  • Thirst and drinking water frequently
  • Having to pass urine frequently especially at night
  • Severe tiredness
  • Frequent skin infections such as boils
  • Excessive hunger
  • Blurred vision

Complications with diabetes include:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Eye problems
  • Kidney failure
  • Depression

Facts about diabetes:

  • You are more likely to develop diabetes if you are overweight
  • Although praying is a good activity it is not enough exercise and you should do more if you have diabetes
  • Having a balanced healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and not too much fat is a good way of making sure that your diabetes does not get worse

Optional Questions Introduction
Question Introduction: 

About diabetes

Listing Information
List Image: 
Teaser: 

Diabetes is a serious long term illness that can affect the quality of your life, but it can be managed.

Diabetes Q&A

Our Scholars answer your questions

About diabetes ...

Find out more

About diabetes

How important is food and diet in controlling diabetes?

Answered by:

Diet is extremely important in controlling diabetes and in general leading a healthy life. The Quran and the Sunnah encourage moderation in eating and drinking. Allah says: "Eat and drink, but do not go to excess; for He does not love people of excess." (Quran, Surah al-An'am [Cattle], 6:141)

The Prophet himself would generally eat light, balanced meals. For example, he and his wives had just dates and water for days on end, and only occassionally eating bread or cooked meat.

Foods recommended in the Quran include fruit, vegetables, lentils, fish, olives, figs, dates, garlic, ginger, milk and fruit juice. Your diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, such as okra, aubergine and chickpeas. Frying food needs to be avoided, an alternative would be to grill or steam food. Having regular meals is important when eating carbohydrates and these should be in moderate portions, especially when eating chapattis, pasta or potatos. Basmati rice is a better option if you do cook rice. You should also cut down on red meat, replacing this with skinless chicken.

The Prophet (pbuh) taught:

"A few morsels of food are enough for a person to keep his spine upright. But if he must eat more, then the most should be; a third of his stomach for his food, a third for his drink and a third for air."

                                             (Muwatta Imam Malik and other sources)

 

The Prophet (pbuh) also taught:

"The People who are stuffed with food most in this life will be hungry for the longest time in the Hereafter."

How can exercise help people with diabetes?

Answered by:

Exercise is extremely important but if you do have diabetes it is important to check with your doctor or nurse that it is the right kind of exercise for you.

The Prophet (pbuh) regarded exercise as an important part of life and encouraged veryone to learn archery and swimming.  He was also fond of racing against his wife Aisha into his late 50's whilst she was in her late teens, a good example of how fit he was. 

Taking exercise can give you more energy so that you can spend more time with your family, friends, or going to the mosque.

Good ways to start exercising gently:

  • Walk to the shops rather than taking the bus
  • Leave the car at home for small trips and go for a walk
  • Get off the bus or train one or two stops earlier and walk the rest of the way
  • Instead of sitting at your desk in your lunch break go out and take a walk
  • Use the stairs instead of taking the lift

How can people with diabetes participate in Ramadan?

Answered by:

The month of Ramadan is a great time to build self-discipline as well as helping the body get rid of toxins.

If you do have diabetes and are fasting then it is extremely important to watch what you eat in the morning and the evening.

A healthy way to open your fast would be with a bowl of porridge, slice of toast and a handful of nuts rather than a fattening parutha.

Make sure when you break your fast that you eat slowly, start with some dates or chickpeas. A good dinner to have would be boiled rice with chicken curry and fruit