The Role of Muslims in the Formation and Development of Sciences (Part 7)
The Instructions of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) on Medicine
The holy religion of Islam, for the first time in human history, mandated the observance of preventive measures to avoid contracting diseases, or, in other words, the observance of “healthy abstinence.” The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) states, “No disease should enter a healthy person.” This means that a sick individual should strive to distance themselves from crowds and self-quarantine to prevent the infection of healthy individuals. Elsewhere, the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned, “The mixing of a sick person with a healthy person will cause destruction.” He implemented this principle in practical terms; for example, when a person with leprosy approached him to pledge allegiance, he instructed, “Tell him that we have pledged allegiance to him, so let him return.” In another hadith, he advised, “Place a distance of one or two spears between you and the person with leprosy.”
Similarly, Islam has established a general guideline in combating infectious diseases, viruses, and plagues: quarantine. This means that a person with cholera should remain isolated, and healthy individuals should not approach them. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in this regard, “When you hear that cholera has broken out in a land, do not go there; and if you are in a city where cholera has broken out, do not flee from that city or leave.”
Among the aspects of health and wellness that Islam emphasizes is the avoidance of practices that promote the spread of disease. For instance, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade urinating in stagnant water, stating, “None of you should urinate in standing water, as this will cause a general obsession.” He also prohibited defecating in shaded areas, places where people walk, and on pathways. (It is now understood that the disease “bilharzia” is transmitted through urination in water, especially stagnant water. Therefore, if we prevent this practice, we can combat and overcome the disease.)
This focus of the Islamic religion on medicine and health stands in stark contrast to medieval church attitudes, which discouraged people from seeking medical treatment, questioned the validity of medical scholars, burned their works, and accused them of witchcraft and defying the will of Allah Almighty.
Skilled Physicians in the Era of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
One of the most notable physicians during the era of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was Hazrat Harith bin Kalda Al-Thaqafi. Originating from Thaqif in Taif, he learned medicine in Persia and gained significant fame and wealth through various treatments before embracing Islam. When a Muslim Sahaba fell ill, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would send them to Hazrat Harith bin Kalda. On one occasion, when the Messenger of Allah visited Hazrat Saad ibn Abi Waqqas and noticed that he had a fever, he advised him to seek treatment from Harith bin Kalda.
Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqah also possessed knowledge of medicine.
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