Islamic Healing in Ghana: A Study of the Salwat Health Restoration Hospital

Abstract

The presence of sickness/illness in society has inadvertently taken out the joy and happiness in most people across the world. This has led to the emergence of many healing strategies spanning from the conventional/orthodox to the non-conventional. The spread of conventional healing methods in many societies have contributed significantly in addressing many health concerns. However, its limitation in dealing with certain illnesses which are spiritual, emotional, and other chronic related sicknesses among others led to the emergence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). With the advent of Islam, certain healing strategies were exploited or practised by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which still find traces to this present generation. Again, some passages of the Qur’an suggest that the Holy Book contains healing remedies for the benefit of mankind. It is against this background that the research seek to understand how Islamic healing, as practised by the Salwat Health Restoration Hospital (SHRH) could provide holistic answers to the search for holistic health and healing in Ghana. Using theological and phenomenological approaches, the study examined healing from the Islamic point of view, using the Qur’an and the Sunnah as the primary sources of religious knowledge in Islam. It was also used to understand the view point of the practitioners and clients/patients of Salwat Health Restoration Hospital. Through qualitative method of data analysis, it was discovered that healing in Islam covers both physical and spiritual ailments. It came to light that most people in Ghana from different religious persuasions believe sickness has both physical and spiritual dimensions and it was their quest to seek holistic answers to their health concerns. The study also found that, Ruqya is an essential healing remedy employed by Salwat Health Restoration Hospital in addressing most spiritual sicknesses as well as some physical sicknesses. The study discovered how Salwat Health Restoration Hospital combines herbal medication and other Islamic healing strategies in addressing the health concerns of its clients/patients.