:: Refreshing my ‘ilm’

(Picture via CartoonStock)

I wonder if there’s a short course in Malaysia or better still in the UK that talks to muslim doctors about practising the virtues in Islam in the job. Most often, the talks given when associated with medical professionals are views on euthanasia, the use of stem cell, test tube babies, gelatin-based products etc. The big big things. While it is a good thing to explore and must know about, I’m more interested in the simple stuff like;

• What your responsibilities are (as a muslim doc) when you have a muslim patient in the hospital. Remind them to pray, for instance. I remembered reading in Utusan that most patients do not pray once they’re in hospital and the figure is very much the same across all age groups – the young and the elderly. Most people think that the right thing to do is Qada’ although in reality, rukhsah is the way to go. Now, how do you correct that in an 80 year old lady,huh? susah kan.. I’m not saying that one should say, ‘Hah.. nih dah semayang ke blom? knp tk semayang lagi?” Perhaps like casually  offer the information that there is a place to pray or if they needed help to pray in bed (sat up/lying down), they may request the help of nursing staff. Put That Face on. That Face one would usually use when asking of a sexual history. That Face which portrays neither disappointment nor condescending aura/feelings/thoughts towards the patient. That Face = Neutral Professional Face.  Other practices like, redha and patience, mandi wajib selepas melahirkan anak .. those sorta thing. Having strong arguments to bust any bomoh’s myths, deathbed etiquette?

• Perhaps one would consider to also highlight the needs of non-muslim patients. Like the need for a priest to be present during the near time of death. Or that occasional spiritual lift in times of deep turbulence.

• Medications during fasting month – how would I deal with asthmatic, diabetic patients. What advice would I give to pregnant ladies.  

I can’t really think of any other issues at the moment . Some of you may say that this is basic and by right, every muslim should know. ‘Tak perlu kursus segala’. However, all of us should know better that even if we know something, we don’t always practice them. Some even go as far as to challenge His words.
If there is a course like this, all I’d need are like those little dalil’s one might use in facing the patient, the rationale (logic) if there’s one. Perhaps, bits of stories to help illustrate the point. Over time, the ilm would fade away unless we are triggered to remember them from time to time right?