All of the prohibitions of Islam are qualified with the exemption that the person is "not driven by necessity" to use them. If a person, for his health and survival, has no other option but to use any of the stipulated prohibitions of Islam, God has promised that He shall then forgive the person and show His mercy upon him. The Qur'an says: Then, whoever is driven by necessity [and eats of these things], neither desiring [to enjoy these prohibitions], nor crossing the limits, then there shall be no sin upon him. Indeed, God is extremely forgiving, eternal in mercy. ( Al-Baqarah 2: 173) It is obvious from the above exception that if a person is suffering from a disease for which he has no other option but to resort to the consumption of any of the stipulated prohibitions of Islam, then he may do so. Nevertheless, as is clear from the referred verse, in such a situation, the person should neither be desirous of indulging in things, which God has declared unlawful nor should consume the item in a quantity, which exceeds the necessary limit. The first attitude (i.e. not being desirous) should obviously translate in the continual search for other alternatives, till one finds it (or for as long as one lives) as well as the extreme dislike of indulging in something which God has prohibited. The second attitude should obviously translate in restricting the amount of the item consumed to the minimum limit, which is prescribed by the physicians. My dear brother, God is more aware of our needs and our weaknesses than our own selves. All the restrictions of the Shari`ah are to help us achieve the target of purification and cleansing and, thereby, qualify for the everlasting bliss of the Almighty. They are not to make our lives miserable and uneasy. Under pressing and difficult circumstances, Islam allows us all the ground that we need. Yet, under normal circumstances, for our own eternal good, Islam gives us a clear and strict path to follow. A Muslim is a person, who is confident of the fact that the path determined by God is, in fact, the right path; a person who is confident of God's absolute wisdom and His eternal mercy; a person, who, even in dire circumstances, does not lose hope in His abounding grace; a person whose complaints are actually a supplication for guidance, strength, forgiveness and ease. It is regarding such people that the Lord of the world says: And when my men ask you [O Prophet] regarding Me [2] , I am close by. I answer the prayers of the suppliant, when he calls Me. Therefore, they should [also] answer my call [and follow my directives] and believe in Me, so that they are rightly guided. ( Al-Baqarah 2: 186) I hope this helps. October 10, 2000 [1] i.e. directives. [2] i.e. My likes and dislikes; My directives; My laws etc. Answer published by Moiz Amjad