Journal - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine
Journal - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine Journal - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine
History of Genetics in Islam: About Colour, Stature and Camels* Haitham IDRISS* * Ph.D., DIC. PO Box 400 Greenford UB6 0WY, U.K. e-mail: idriss@doctors.net.uk Human Genetics is a science that studies inheritance of traits, e.g. within human beings. It is useful for understanding what is called genetic basis of certain diseases, lineages and inherited traits within a population. It has also been used in matrimonial issues such as assertion of parenthood. I wondered how long Muslims (of this nation) have been aware of this science. During my research I identified two narrations for the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him that speak of his knowledge of this science. These narrations comment about hair colour in camels, skin and eye colour as well as stature in humans. This article looks at the two Hadeeths in relation the modern science of molecular genetics. Key Words; History of genetics, Islamic medicine. Know my learned friend that Allah almighty knows everything and that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta^ala taught man what man knew not, Allah said in the Qura’an: Also know, that the Messenger of Allah Muhammad, peace be upon him, knew more than any This means: “May Allah beautify he who heard from us a saying and conveyed it as he heard it, for how many a man reports a Hadeeth to one who has better understanding of it.” Narrated by Bayhaqqy (3). Summary human being and that he talked about certain matters in detail and other matters in principle and left the door of valid interpretations open to learned Muslims. Thus, it was sufficient for him to mention certain matters in general terms. This is one reasoning Imam Abul Hassan Al-Ash^ari used to defend his use of ^Alm Alkalaam (2). It is also noteworthy that learned Muslims understood the Hadeeth of the messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in different ways or had different levels of understanding, commensurate with the saying of the messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: Muslims have a traditional and healthy interest in medicine and medical sciences. This has been encouraged by Islamic teachings, for example the Hadeeth of the Prophet: 22 JISHIM 2004, 3
HISTORY OF GENETICS IN ISLAM: ABOUT COLOUR, STATURE AND CAMELS This means: “For every Illness Allah created, Allah also created a cure” Narrated by Bukharry (4). The interest in medicine was reportedly further asserted by renowned scholars of Islam, such as Imam Muhammad bin Idriss Asshafi^i, Imam of the Shafi^i school of Jurisprudence and Imam Ahmad ArRifa^i (d 578 Hijri), Imam of the Rifa^i Sufi discipline. Imam Mohammad bin Idriss Shafi^i, said to be the scholar of Quraish mentioned in a Hadeeth that was narrated about the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,: meaning: “The scholar of Quraish fills the world with knowledge”. Related by Imam Ahmad and others in different versions (5). Imam Asshafi^i was born in Gazza in 150 H and died and was buried in Cairo in 204 H. He was reported to have empasised the importance of medical sciences, calling medicine, which is a communal obligation, the most honoured second to the knowledge of At-Tawheed and other similar obligatory Islamic sciences. JISHIM 2004, 3 Haitham IDRISS Whilst recently lecturing on Human Molecular Genetics in London, it occurred to me to look at the awareness of genetics during the time of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Molecular genetics is a science that addresses the mechanisms of passing traits between generations. It is useful for understanding many diseases that are classified as hereditary as well as for helping establish lineages and other matters. Advances in modern genetics was possible due to the discovery of cell divisions, chromosomes, DNA, chromosomal recombination, linkage and other significant molecular genetics mechanisms and other biological phenomena. I wondered when were Muslims of the Umma of Muhammad, peace be upon him, possibly became first aware of the science of genetics. During my research I came across two narrations of the messenger of Allah, peace be upon him that indicated to me his knowledge of this science. The two hadeeths mentioned certain traits (colour) in Arabian Camels and stature in humans. Allah (Subhanahu wa ta^ala) said in the Qura’an: In this verse of the Qura’an Allah, Subhanahu wa ta^ala, is telling us to look at how camels are born and use that as an example to strengthen our belief in His power. The first prophetic narration in Sahih ul Bukharry, was narrated by Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with them: 23
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<strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Genetics in Islam: About Colour, Stature and<br />
Camels*<br />
Haitham IDRISS*<br />
* Ph.D., DIC. PO Box 400 Green<strong>for</strong>d UB6 0WY, U.K.<br />
e-mail: idriss@doctors.net.uk<br />
Human Genetics is a science that studies inheritance <strong>of</strong> traits, e.g. within human beings. It is useful <strong>for</strong> understanding what is<br />
called genetic basis <strong>of</strong> certain diseases, lineages and inherited traits within a population. It has also been used in matrimonial issues<br />
such as assertion <strong>of</strong> parenthood. I wondered how long Muslims (<strong>of</strong> this nation) have been aware <strong>of</strong> this science. During my research<br />
I identified two narrations <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Messenger <strong>of</strong> Allah, peace be upon him that speak <strong>of</strong> his knowledge <strong>of</strong> this science. These narrations<br />
comment about hair colour in camels, skin and eye colour as well as stature in humans. This article looks at <strong>the</strong> two Hadeeths<br />
in relation <strong>the</strong> modern science <strong>of</strong> molecular genetics.<br />
Key Words; <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> genetics, <strong>Islamic</strong> medicine.<br />
Know my learned friend that Allah almighty<br />
knows everything and that Allah Subhanahu Wa<br />
Ta^ala taught man what man knew not, Allah said in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Qura’an:<br />
Also know, that <strong>the</strong> Messenger <strong>of</strong> Allah<br />
Muhammad, peace be upon him, knew more than any<br />
This means:<br />
“May Allah beautify he who heard from us a saying<br />
and conveyed it as he heard it, <strong>for</strong> how many a<br />
man reports a Hadeeth to one who has better understanding<br />
<strong>of</strong> it.” Narrated by Bayhaqqy (3).<br />
Summary<br />
human being and that he talked about certain matters<br />
in detail and o<strong>the</strong>r matters in principle and left <strong>the</strong><br />
door <strong>of</strong> valid interpretations open to learned<br />
Muslims. Thus, it was sufficient <strong>for</strong> him to mention<br />
certain matters in general terms. This is one reasoning<br />
Imam Abul Hassan Al-Ash^ari used to defend his<br />
use <strong>of</strong> ^Alm Alkalaam (2). It is also noteworthy that<br />
learned Muslims understood <strong>the</strong> Hadeeth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> messenger<br />
<strong>of</strong> Allah, peace be upon him, in different ways<br />
or had different levels <strong>of</strong> understanding, commensurate<br />
with <strong>the</strong> saying <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> messenger <strong>of</strong> Allah, peace<br />
be upon him:<br />
Muslims have a traditional and healthy interest in<br />
medicine and medical sciences. This has been<br />
encouraged by <strong>Islamic</strong> teachings, <strong>for</strong> example <strong>the</strong><br />
Hadeeth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prophet:<br />
22 JISHIM 2004, 3
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