Islam and the Person with Intellectual Disability

Islam, as a religion, makes a distinction between the person with intellectual disability and mental disorder, but both are found legally incompetent in the Koran and the Hadith. The society according to Islam is obliged to assess, assist and respect the person with intellectual disability and give the person an equal life chance. Mohammad, the Prophet, implied the importance of child welfare, education, well-being, and supporting children other than your own, all which can be seen as the expression of Islamic compassion. Islam recognizes the right of the needing person for help and assistance, as God tells us in the Qur>an (Koran): “And in their wealth there is acknowledged right for the needy and the destitute” (51: 19). In Islamic tradition, it has been stated that the best therapy is the one directed to enhance the health of the person, his psyche and spirit, in order for him to fight illness. His environment should be beautiful, filled with music and people he likes. This presentation will describe the Islamic tradition and how it deals with and looks upon persons with intellectual disability. [Article copies available for afee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: /-800-342-9678. E-mail address: <getinfo@haworthpressinc.com> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com>.