The British medical
journal published a research to confirm that washing hands is much
better than any other cure. What does the Qur’an say? Let us read…
British study
Scientists say that although
respiratory viruses usually cause minor disease, epidemics can occur.
Mathematical models estimate that about 36 000 deaths and 226 000 admissions to hospital in the United States annually are attributable to influenza,and with
incidence rates as high as 50% during major epidemics worldwide,
respiratory viruses strain health services, are responsible for excess
deaths, and result in massive indirect costs owing to absenteeism from
work and school.
Concern is now increasing about
serious pandemic viral infections. In 2003 an epidemic of the previously
unknown severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by a
coronavirus affected about 8000 people worldwide, with 780 deaths and
causing a social and economic crisis, especially in Asia. A new avian
influenza pandemic caused by the H5N1 virus strain threatens greater
catastrophe.
Hence, the need for interventions
to reduce viral load and mounting evidence suggests, however, that
single measures, particularly the use of vaccines or antivirals, will be
insufficient to interrupt the spread of influenza. Agent specific drugs
are also not available for other viruses.
A published research by British
medical journal stated that handwashing to be effective in lowering the
incidence of pneumonia in the developing world. Clear evidence has also
shown a link between personal (and environmental) hygiene and infection.
Researchers say that simple and low cost
interventions could be useful in reducing the spread of diseasesalso
they confirm that Hand washing doesn't take much time or effort, but it
offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness as adopting this
simple habit can play a major role in protecting our health.
American study
Another study shows that Americans
getting lax about clean hands. Researchers said 77 percent of more than
6,000 men and women washed their hands in public restrooms -- a 6
percent decline compared with a similar study in 2005.
According to the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, hand washing in the single-most
important prevention step for reducing disease transmission.
In a telephone survey, 92 percent
of adults said they wash their hands in public conveniences, according
to the study done by the American Society for Microbiology and The Soap
and Detergent Association.
But the study, which also
conducted research at public restrooms, showed people's actions were not
always matching their claims. Men were the biggest offenders, with just
66 percent of men seen washing their hands in public bathrooms,
compared with 88 percent of the women, according to study presented at
the Inter science Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
meeting in Chicago.
"Very clearly, guys need to step
up to the sink," said Brian Sansoni, a spokesman for the soap industry
group, told reporters. "One third of guys weren't washing their hands in
public restrooms. That's gross."
Researchers staked out restrooms
at different types of venues in four U.S. cities: Chicago's Shedd
Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry, Atlanta's Turner Field,
New York's Grand Central Station and Penn Station and San Francisco's
Ferry Terminal Farmer's Market.
The report stated that men's
hygiene was worst at Atlanta's Turner Field, where just 57 percent of
men were observed washing their hands after using the toilet at the
baseball venue. But 95 percent of women there washed their hands, the
highest percentage observed in the study. Chicago was the city with the
cleanest hands overall. New York was the second-cleanest; Atlanta came
in third, and then San Francisco.
The researchers could not account
for why people appear to be washing their hands less in public
bathrooms. And they admitted that because the research was done in
different venues, it was not scientifically valid. But they said the
trend is troubling.
"Fifteen to 20 seconds of friction
and soap and water will remove so many germs from your hands and help
with your wellbeing. That is a marvelous intervention that will work all
over the world," Judy Daly, director of the Microbiology Laboratories
at the Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, told
reporters.
Dr. Judy Daly is a professor of pathology at the
University of Utah School Of Medicine, Director of the
MicrobiologyLaboratories at Primary Children's Medical Center and a
clinical faculty member at Weber State College School of Allied Health
Sciences.
Also, another research published
by Cochrane Reviews promoted hand washing can reduce diarrhea episodes
by about one-third. This significant reduction is comparable to the
effect of providing clean water in low-income areas. However, trials
with longer follow up and that test different methods of promoting hand
washing are needed.
Islam and hand washing
Many verses in the holy Qur’an and many Hadiths for prophet Mohamed peace be upon him urge Muslims forhand washing.
This habit is practiced by Muslims
five times each day during ablutionas Allah Almighty says about that:(O
you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat (the prayer), wash
your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing
wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles . If you
are in a state of Janaba (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself
(bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey or any of
you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact
with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then
perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and
hands. Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to
purify you, and to complete His Favour on you that you may be
thankful.){Sûrat Al-Mâ’idah -The Table spread with Food –verse6}.

A Muslim during ablution by usingwater, recent
researches state that simple and low-cost physical measures should be
given higher priority in pandemic contingency plans.
Here, we see that Muslims are washing their external parts
five times a day and the most important thing is that they have to wash
even water is not available by following the “Tayammum” which is to rub
dust on face and hand.
A group ofMuslims who are performing the “Tayammum”
Today, researchers found that dust can remove bacteria and germs from the body. Glory to Allah!!!!!!!!
Also prophet Mohamed peace be upon
him taught us to wash using the water as he said “if there is a river
beside the house of any of you and that man is washing himself five
times a day, do you think that he may keep dirties in his body? The companions said indeed no, then he replied that
is the same as the five prayers if we persist on them , sins will be
removed out of us ”[narrated by Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
At the end we have to say:
(Verily! There was a party of my slaves, who used to say: "Our Lord! We
believe, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, for you are the Best of
all who show mercy!"){Sûrat Al-Mu’minûn-The Believers -verse109}.
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By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel
www.kaheel7.com/eng
References:
• http://www.bmj.com/content/336/7635/77.full
• http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKMOL76550220070917
• http://www.path.utah.edu/service/clinical-pathology/judy-daly
• http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004265.html
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