Prophetic medicine

Prophetic Medicine

Muslims often pride themselves with the claim that what sets them apart from people belonging to other religions is their ability to sustain a concrete relationship between science and religion. The first command the prophet received from God was “read” enunciated in the Quran’s 96th chapter. Despite the debate the surrounds the interpretation (tafsir) of that particular command, Muslims find comfort in asserting that it is an indication that Islam is a religion of “reading”. What follows is an Islamic quest for knowledge whether is in the field of math, physics, astronomy, economics or even medicine.

In that regards, Muslim scientists often find guidance in the words and practices of the Prophet Mohammad. The prophet did not confine his dealings with religion only; he also sought to address the various aspects of a Muslims life. Most important of these aspects is how to can a Muslim sustain a healthy life. Prophetic medicine refers to the actions and exact words of the prophet dealing with sicknesses, hygiene, and health in general. According to the prophet, for every disease there is a cure. Therefore, prophetic medical traditions do not stop at following the teachings of the prophets; they encourage humans to search for cures as well.

Following the prophet’s death, many scholars who have been influenced by the prophetic tradition actively sought to follow the prophet’s words and research by any means possible for different cures and medicinal procedures. For example, Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyya produced one of the most important works about “al Tibb-ul-Nabbawi.” in his 277-chapter book, AL- Jawziyya deals with different treatments of individuals as recommended by the prophet. It also talks about malpractice and hallmarks of competent doctor.

Al-Jawziyya identifies specific remedies recommended by the prophet and deals with pharmacological studies on the use of various herbs and natural substances. Al-jawziyya also elaborates on the relation between medicine and religion. 'Abd-ul-Rahman ibn abi Bakr al-Suyuiti’ wrote multiple of readings on prophetic medicine. He composed two works on prophetic medicine. One contained the practices of medicine by Mohammad and a second on sexual relations as ordered by the prophet. Al Suyti’s book divides medicine into 3 types:tradional, spiritual and preventive. He listed preventive medical measures such as food and exercise. Others taught by hadith such as epidemics, use of tooth stick (siwak) and other practices.

It is worth to mention that some of theses practices have been adopted by modern medicine and have been tested in many researches centers around the world. For example, many institutions in Egypt are involved in research on traditions remedies and many medicinal plants like the black seed is being investigated and commercialized.

The black seed is an example of a prophetic remedy that has been studies by Muslims and not Muslims. In conclusion, prophetic medicine is an authentic and valid medical system which produced remedies that have been considered as legitimate and groundbreaking by various scientists and research. Further research about prophetic medicine is being conducted in various labs around the world and the results of these research continue to be to surprising even to the most keen scientist.

References

1 Muzaffar Iqbal, Science and Islam(Westport, CT: Greenwood press,2007), 59.  

2 Cyril Elgood (1962) The Medicine Of the Prophet. PubMed Central, 146-153.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1034700/

3 supra note 1 
4 Cyril Elgood (1962) The Medicine Of the Prophet. PubMed Central, 146-153.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1034700/

5 Jalaluddin al Suyuti: (1994) al Tibb al Nabawi

6 Sayed-MD: Traditional medicine in health care. J-Ethnopharmacol. 1980 Mar; 2(1): 19-22