The Healing Power of Prayer in Islam

The English word "prayer" is generally understood as an act of addressing God with reverence, offering praise, giving thanks, affirming and confirming one's total dependence on God, and asking His grace, mercy, and help. In Islam, the closet equivalent to the word prayer is the Arabic word "Dua", literally meaning to call upon, to invoke, and to supplicate. Prayer in Islam is both the essence and existence of life. The purpose of life is prayer and it has its therapeutic value. Healing is defined as the diagnosis of the cause of evil, which may be psychological and physical sickness. It also envisages the development of techniques for its cure. A scientific mind unclouded by preconceived notions is able to discern the validity and utility of a comprehensive approach to health, which includes spiritual healing. The present paper discusses the importance of prayer and how it can be a powerful healer in itself and can also form an adjunct to the healing power of medicines. The act of prayer in itself is meditative and if one goes into the depth of the process it some where is a relaxation technique that calms the mind and body.