Hindu doctor recites Islamic prayer to a dying patient

A Hindu doctor recited the Islamic prayer for a Muslim patient on the latter’s deathbed at a private hospital in Pattambi in Palakkad.

The patient was suffering from Covid and was on a ventilator for more than two weeks and her relatives were not allowed in the ICU.

Dr Rekha Krishna, who is working at Sevana Hospital and Research Centre, said, “The patient was taken out of the ventilator on May 17 as her condition worsened. As doctors felt that there was very little they could do in such a condition, we informed the situation to the relatives,”

Talking about the incident, Dr Rekha said, “As I approached her, I felt that she was having some problems in leaving the earthly abode. Then, I slowly recited Kalima (La Ilaha Illalla, Muhammadur Rasululla) in her ears. I could see her taking a few deep breaths and then she flatlined.”

Stressing that the act was not planned, Dr Rekha informed that it happened in the spur of the moment.

She said that she was born and brought up in Dubai and that she knew the customs and practices followed by Muslims. Dr. Rekha said that she only returned the respect and consideration she got in the Gulf.

Calling this a humane act, Dr. Rekha asserted, “I don’t think mine is a religious gesture; it is a humane act. A major problem with Covid-19 patients is that they feel lonely and isolated. Health workers are the single point of contact for them without their family around and we should do all we can to help the patients.”

Dr. Rekha had no intention of making her gesture public. Although a fellow doctor at the hospital heard about the incident and shared it on social media, where the post received great responses.