In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
“They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so they return not to the Right Path.” (al-Baqarah, 2:18).
Just because some are known to have disabilities doesn’t mean that the rest of us are excluded from abnormalities. In fact it could be that most of us who have our senses intact are the ones who truly define the label of being impaired yet have too much darkness in our hearts to contemplate the light.
Among the best of Allah’s creations after our Noble Prophets and Messengers, peace & blessings be upon them, are those with special needs. While most people on the face of this Earth are ungrateful, children and adults with disabilities tend to be of those who are most content and satisfied. SubhnaAllah. Some would give them the right to complain, live in tears, and doom themselves in misery, but because of Allah’s support upon their hearts, you will not find most people with handicaps or impairments as such. On the contrary they are most ready to graciously accept the challenges Allah has willed upon them. They are honored servants of Allah with dignity and whom are dignified by Allah and should be dignified by us as well. Prophet Muhammad salAllahu alayhee wasallam taught:
“Show mercy to those on earth, and God will show mercy to you.” (At- Tirmithi and Abu Dawud)
People often look at people with disabilities and pity them. However having sympathy for them is usually not a strong tool in advocating for their rights as humans. Feeling bad for people who live with handicaps is not useful in promoting their rights. A more useful emotion that should be used is empathy because then, the hope for successful outcomes is seen and the whole person is viewed as a unique special addition to humanity. They desire and deserve the support to achieve their goals, and when we empathize, we realize the struggles they face. We then become better equipped to help give them the tools in reaching their potential level of independence, instead of saying “oh haram, miskeen, poor people”. It is the Qadar of Allah that they are as they are, and it is also the Qadar of Allah that we are given the blessed opportunity to advocate for them in any way we can. All Muslims are responsible to this noble cause. Prophet Muhammad salAllahu alayhee wasallam emphasized this when he said:
“Whoever meets the needs of his brother, Allah will meet his needs.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Allah gives and takes from each of us and just because someone seems to be at a loss, doesn’t mean they are a hopeless case without the ability to succeed to his or her potential level of independence, strength, or capability. Allah created each of us in uniqueness
“Oh humanity! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and
made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other, not that you
may despise each other.”(Al-Hujurat, 49:3)
This verse isn’t just about various cultures and societies, but about the differences in people and Allah celebrates the diversity which He created so that we may reflect. People with disabilities are no exception to that beautiful diversity we have in this life.
“And cooperate with one another towards righteousness and piety and do not
cooperate towards sinfulness and aggression.” (Al-Ma’idah, 5:2)
Allah here specifically tells us that we need to cooperate with one another, and this should be realized that as we are able to help people with disabilities, we should also expect that they too can be teachers through their life experiences in giving us a glimpse of what it means to patiently strive for the sake of Allah. As they may be able to benefit from us, we too may be able to benefit from them.
Prophet Muhammad salAllah alayhee wasallam told us: “None of you is a true believer until you wish for your brother what you wish for yourself.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Each of us has an obligation to them. Remember that he also taught is that even a smile is a charity, and that charity is prescribed for every person every day the sun rises. Why not the next time you see a child or adult in a wheelchair, bend down, look at them in the eyes and just say ‘asalaamalaiakum’ with a smile. They may not have the capabilities of hearing you, seeing you, paying attention to you or responding to you.. but they have hearts and certainly they will feel it. Try it for the sake of Allah.
There is more than just a benefit of this donia in reaching out to someone who is facing a difficulty of any kind, as Muslims we know the reality of the Hereafter is to come. So we must keep in mind that a Harsh Day is expected for many who neglect and refrain from assisting others when they are given the chance to; likewise, Allah Promises great rewards who strive to help a person in need.
“If one removes a hardship of a Muslim in this life, Allah will relieve a hardship from him on the Day of Judgment.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Another thing to remember as a caregiver, helper, or as even one with the disability itself is the Promise of Allah that:
“Only the patient will be paid back their reward in full without measure…” (Az-Zumar, 39:10)
Rasullilah salAllahu alayhee wasallam was sent as the Mercy to all of us. He was so compassionate to those without disabilities, that when it came to people with cognitive, social, or physical impairments he became even more sensitive towards their needs. He reached out to them and communicated Truth to them on their levels of understanding. People who had a hard time comprehending Islamic teachings were given graphic organizers drawn out into the sand. He didn’t just utilize spoken words, but visuals, demonstrations, and hands on teachings to get his point and the Points of Allah across to the masses. Never with humiliation, but with honor towards people with all sorts of needs. Allah directly ddresses Prophet Muhammad salAllahu alayhee wasallam as a mercy for all- not just towards those who can apply the physical actions of worship, he spoke to hearts which everyone is capable of using just by feeling, regardless of what medical diagnosis they have or health condition they are challenged by.
Allahumma salli 3leh Nabiyanna Muhammad, our beloved Rasullilah!!
“Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you; for the believers he is full of empathy, kindness, and mercy.” (at-Tawba 9:128)
Advocating for the rights of people with special needs through counseling, rehabilitation, and education have been clearly identified in the Holy Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad salAllahu alayhee wasallam. These people are NEVER to be excluded in Islam, so they should always be highlighted as extraordinary individuals of our Ummah. Being ashamed of them or embarrassed in having them as siblings, children or neighbors is ignoring their beautiful attributes which should be distinguished.
A good way to start is to assure the language which we use show that we value these individuals as people and not as the disabilities themselves. People like to be known for who they are, and people with special challenges want and deserve to be recognized for their characters, their beliefs, their goals, their strengths and their talents. However,
it is their limitations, weaknesses, and problems which are usually magnified and result in becoming labeled or worse, even judged by their limitations. As a result, their individuality becomes neglected and they become known as the mental, wheelchair bound, mute person. People with special needs should never be subject to any form of rejection or discrimination. Terms like lame, crippled, retarded, suffering, or afflicted are no longer acceptable in discussing their needs. An indirect way of doing of upsetting people with unique challenges is when we condescendingly call others deaf, blind, or we use the inappropriate term crazy, majnoon or retarded- when those being mocked don’t clinically have any weaknesses in. These words hurt harder than a smack in the face because it
is a form of arrogance, even if they are not present to witness these harsh remarks. We need to fear Allah in the words we say and use in order to take extra precautions in safeguarding the rights of people with special needs. Also, it must be said that people with disabilities might have weaknesses in certain areas, but Allah compensates them by giving them stronger talents in other areas ensuring that Mercy and Compassion of Allah is still a gift upon them, upon their souls.
In conclusion, Allah reminds in the Quran:
By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc., it means here Allah’s Reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allah knows it well. (ali-Imran 3:93)
Allah judges us according to our piety and righteousness, not according to the skills and abilities He has given us. If we can remember that, then it becomes that much more easier to always keep people with disabilities or handicaps in mind as people. We can all step back and learn from their perseverance and grow with. Next time you see a person with a unique type of challenge make duaa for them, increase in gratitude towards Allah, and lend a hand. It could be those simple deeds which winds you straight into Firdous.
May Allah help us help others and increase us in compassion and mercy for our brothers and sisters, and increase His Mercy and Compassion on all of us!
Sohada Mohamed is a Registered Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Manager of Therapy Steps & Program Coordinator for Children with Hearing loss in the blessed city Al-Madinah Al-Munawarrah, Saudi Arabia