People with disabilities in Islamic thought

26-4-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am a PhD student and I write my dissertation on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Islam. In the first chapter I deal with the position of people with disabilities in Islamic Theology. I want to know the main answers provided by Islamic theological schools to the following question: "Does disability represent a form of punishment from Allah the Almighty? If so, why are some people originally created with disabilities and they have not commit any sins yet? I have come across the doctrine of `Iwad or compensation proposed by the Mu`tazili School that children born with disabilities will be compensated in the Hereafter but I do not know if this idea was criticized by other Islamic schools or not. I also wonder if there are any Islamic, traditional or modern, books that discussed this idea.I am a PhD student and I write my dissertation on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Islam. In the first chapter I deal with the position of people with disabilities in Islamic Theology. I want to know the main answers provided by Islamic theological schools to the following question: "Does disability represent a form of punishment from Allah the Almighty? If so, why are some people originally created with disabilities and they have not commit any sins yet? I have come across the doctrine of `Iwad or compensation proposed by the Mu`tazili School that children born with disabilities will be compensated in the Hereafter but I do not know if this idea was criticized by other Islamic schools or not. I also wonder if there are any Islamic, traditional or modern, books that discussed this idea.

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Allah, The Almighty didn't make any of His people perfect except His Prophets (Alaihim al-Ssalam) and Messengers (Alaihim al-Ssalam). All the other people have some defects and shortcomings. But these people differ as far as these shortcomings and defects are concerned. There are some sublime and great wisdoms behind this:
1) The wisdom behind the creation of the human beings is to make them face trials and temptations. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test).} [29: 2-3].
2) Expressing gratitude to Allah for the blessings he bestows on us. If all people were equal, there would be no need for gratitude. But since people are different in their morals, their livelihood, their knowledge, etc., when the person who is favored in some of these features sees the person who lacks them, he remembers Allah and thanks Him.
3) Being patient and forbearing when afflicted and accepting one's fate and destiny. In fact, the person who is patient when he is afflicted in his wealth, loses one of his children, or becomes ill refrains from falling into Haram acts.
In fact, Imaan (faith) is patience and thankfulness. Ibn al-Qayyim said: 'Imaan (faith) is half patience and half thankfulness' .
* Disability is not considered a punishment in Islam. On the contrary Allah reserves a great position for the disabled if the latter remains patient and accepts Allah's destiny and fate. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Allah said: 'Whoever remains patient (seeking the reward of Allah) after I took his beloved, I wouldn't accept for him a reward lesser than Paradise" [ Ahmad and al-Tirmizi ].
As for the Muslim children who die before reaching the age of puberty, they will be in Paradise, no doubt about that. Imam al-Nawawi said: 'All the eminent scholars of Islam are agreed that the Muslim children who die before reaching the age of puberty are from the dwellers of Paradise' .
The idea of Muatazila about "compensation and punishment" is criticized and strongly repudiated by many eminent scholars like Ibn Taymiyah , al-Sharastani and Ibn Hazam .
Ibn al-Qayyim gave a detailed account about hurting children and animals (causing pain to them) in several of his books. He explained in this issue that the Muatazili Madhab wrongly called their deviant path, "just", and compares Allah to His Creatures claiming that whatever is considered good among people, Allah considers it good and acts accordingly, and whatever is forbidden for the people is also forbidden for Allah.
They also claim that Allah is compelled to choose for the people that which is better for them. But the issue of causing pain to children and slaughtering animals influenced badly their principles and illusioned them about their basics. This led them to claim that this is a gift of Allah and He will fully compensate the children and the animals in the Hereafter. Then their illusions got worse when they learned that the animals will turn into dust in the Hereafter hence their compensation will be impossible. Because of this uncertainty in their devious path, some Muatazili chose to say: 'We do not like the idea of the resurrection of animals in the Hereafter'.
The reason for their going astray is their comparing Allah to His Creatures and their negation of Allah's Comprehensive Wisdom.
Anyway, Allah has the Absolute Wisdom. He is not asked about what He does while people are asked. Indeed, any evil or pain that Allah Predestined incorporates great good and absolute Wisdom.
Allah knows best.