Islamic Lifestyle and Parasitic Diseases

Abstract

Human behavior plays an important role in the epidemiology of parasitic diseases and dynamic of transmission and controlling such diseases. Since the culture, including beliefs and social behaviors, affects the relation between the parasite and man, considering these issues can improve level of health and decrease contamination rate, and achieving this goal is not possible without making changes in the lifestyle, observing health care principles, and modifying behaviors in details of life. Excellence in life and changing lifestyle need practical and functional instructions. Quran verses, medical traditions, and narratives of infallible Imams (AS) are the rich sources of practical guidelines for the treatment and prevention of different misbehaviors. Holy Quran and Islamic traditions have pointed out that some parasites need host for their biological needs. Neglecting personal hygiene is a way to transmit some parasites. Negligence in oral and dental hygiene, eating the meat of some animals, using warm water to wash the face and perform ablution, and inhaling steam, touching dogs and the other animals are the other ways of parasitic pathogens transmission which have been mentioned in the Islamic narratives, directly and indirectly; observing these factors may prevent parasitic diseases. The current study has considered the means of transmissions of some important parasites, taking advantage of Quranic and Islamic traditional resources, Quranic verses, and Islamic narratives which have directly or indirectly pointed out parasites and parasitic life. The present study aimed to evaluate the important role of Islam and its rich resources in considering all aspects of human life and even other creatures, and investigating the role of Islam in life. However, in the current study the importance of observing Islamic teachings, and adherence to the Islamic lifestyle, to promote the level of public health were evaluated.