What is the virtue of the medical profession, and can a sincere, diligent doctor attain the reward of jihad?

Medicine is one of the noblest and most beneficial sciences, second only to the sciences of Sharia and revelation. It is good for the nation and a salvation for human lives. Ibn Abi Hatim Al-Razi narrated from Al-Shafi'i his saying: "Indeed, knowledge is of two kinds: knowledge of religion and knowledge of the world. The knowledge for religion is Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and the knowledge for the world is medicine." And his saying: "Do not reside in a country where there is no scholar to give you fatwas regarding your religion, nor a physician to inform you about the matter of your body."

Al-Dhahabi also mentioned that Al-Shafi'i regretted what Muslims had neglected of medicine, saying: "They have neglected a third of knowledge and entrusted it to the Jews and Christians." And it was narrated from him: "I do not know of any knowledge after halal and haram nobler than medicine, except that the People of the Book have surpassed us in it."

So, whoever has a good intention in seeking this knowledge and dedicates it to the benefit of people is upon great good, and a door has been opened for him from the doors of righteousness and benevolence. He attains the virtue mentioned in the Almighty's saying: ﴿And whoever saves a life – it is as though he had saved all of mankind.﴾ [Al-Ma'idah:32]. As for Jihad, it is another door from the doors of great virtues, and its types include striving against the self, Satan, the corrupt, and the disbelievers.