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PROPHETIC MEDICINE SCINTEFIC MEDICINE vs
WRITTTEN BY: Bibi Sawia Ali
First let us examine the origins of both sources; Prophetic medicine is based on wisdom from the Creator Himself passed down to Prophet Muhammad( SAW) through revelation( Qur’ an) and / or divine inspiration( Sunnah practices), while Scientific Medicine has been derived through trial and error, laboratory experiments, assumptions and speculation.
Prophetic Medicine is unique in its holistic approach, addressing the well-being of patients on both a physical and spiritual level, while scientific medicine focuses solely on physical treatments.
Understanding Prophetic Medicine and its application.
As-Suyuti mentions three classes of Prophetic medicine: 1. Preventative. Such as moderation in food, exercise, hygiene etc. 2. Traditional. To treat illnesses with honey, olive oil, black seed, cupping etc. 3. Spiritual. Through Ruqyah using verses of Qur’ an and supplications.
Prophetic Medicine provides the foundation for Islamic medicine. It is important to note the difference between the two; one gives the guidelines and the other provides additional details and support.
For example, Prophetic Medicine teaches us that there is a cure in black seed for everything except death, while Islamic medicine gives us the directions of use( dosage etc.) relevant to each ailment.
The Prophet( SAW) gave us a comprehensive system to follow rather than a catalogue of remedies and prescriptions. Some remedies were given directly, while others took some effort to identify.
The Prophet( SAW) said,“ Allah has not created any disease without sending a cure for it.”( Bukhaari)
Surely we still have a lot to learn and are encouraged to keep researching on Islamic medicine from this hadith, using the principles taught to us through Prophetic Medicine.
So what are some of the Benefits of Prophetic Medicine over Scientific Medicine?
1. It re-enforces our Tawakkul( trust or reliance) in Allah as the One who heals( ash shafii’) and better safeguards us from shirk( associating attributes of Allah). While using conventional medicine we can mistakenly give credit of the cure to the pills we used or the doctor we visited, instead of giving thanks to The One who provided the knowledge and means for the cure to be administered to us.
2. When the Prophet( SAW) recommended it, there is no need to question it. Allah( SWT) says in Surah Al Ahzaab verse 21“ Indeed in the messenger of Allah you have an excellent example to follow for he who hopes in( the meeting with) Allah and the Last day and remembers Allah much.”
3. Humans were created from earth, therefore naturally, the vitamins and minerals found in the earth and what it produces will best nourish, treat and protect our bodies. Most Prophetic medicines are natural and safe while modern medicine have harmful side effects due to the unnatural chemicals used in their making, which are foreign to our bodies.
4. The natural ingredients used in Prophetic medicine can be easily acquired and are more affordable compared to the cost and availability of prescription medication and doctor visits.
5. Prophetic medicine is timeless while scientific medicine is always becoming outdated and changing based on new discoveries.
6. Sometimes diagnosis and treatment of an ailment differ based on the practitioner. Each individual may present a different diagnosis and prescription based on their knowledge and experience in the field, while the Prophet( SAW) only spoke the truth and His source of knowledge came from the Creator Himself. Who can know us better than the One who created us?
7. vvLastly and most importantly we can benefit from good health in this life and earn rewards for reviving a Sunnah in the hereafter.
Here are some examples of Prophetic Medicine as indicated over 1400 years ago that were only proven by Science in recent years.
26 | Ihsaan | Issue 3