Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

A Review of Some Drugs Mentioned in the Texts of
Islamic Scriptures (Holy Quran and Ahadith)
Ashfaq AHMAD*, Ala NARAYANA**
*M. D., Research Officer Unani, (Corresponding Author),
**Ph. D, Director, National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, 3rd floor, OMC Building Putlibowli, Hyderabad- 95, India.
e-mail: drashfaq.ccras@gmail.com
Summary
An important period in the history of science is the Arabian period. The Arabs inherited the Greek culture and Greek scientific thought. After the
advent of Islam, Unani System of Medicine got enriched also by imbibing what was mentioned in the Holy Quran and Ahadith.
(Ahadith: plural of Hadith, the traditions relating to the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص PBUH)
The Quran however, is not a book of science but a book of ‘signs’ Ayats. There are more than six thousand ‘signs’ in The Quran of which more than
a thousand deal with science. It is impossible for a man gifted with limited approach to cover the infinite knowledge present in Glorious Quran and Tra-
‏.(ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ditions of last messenger of God (Prophet Mohammad
However some of the fantastic, scientifically substantiated discoveries regarding the medical science derived from these scriptures. There are innumerable
scientific facts present in the Quran and Hadith.
نينجلا ملع,(‏Physiology‏)‏ Manafeul-Aza ءاضعالا عف انم,‏example Many branches of Medical Sciences can be procured from Quran and Ahadith, for
Ilmul-Janeen ت اجل اعم,(‏Embryology‏)‏ Moalejat تحص ن اظفح,(‏Therapeutics‏)‏ Hifzane-Sehat (Preventive and Social سفنلا ملع,(‏medicine Ilmun-Nafs
هيودالا ملع,(‏Psychiatry‏)‏ Ilmul-Advia (Pharmacology).
Main emphasis is given in this article on Ilmul-Advia (Pharmacology) therefore some drugs of the Unani Materia Medica described in the texts of
Holy Quran and Ahadith has been discussed in this article. Only authentic Ahadith confirmed by its reputed scholars are referred to make the paper
more genuine, in this regard Arabic main texts from Holy Quran and Ahadith also have been quoted.
Key Words: Ilmul Advia, Scripture, Holy Quran, Ahadith.
Introduction
History bears ample testimony to the far reaching significance
and influence which the early Muslims have impressed
on the scientific thought. Our early scientists brought to bear
on the stream of human thought and progress, observations,
experiments and traditions which broke an altogether new
ground which is not at all surprising. The Glorious Quran
and Hadith liberated the human mind from the shackles of
superstitions and taboos. Inhabitant of the terra firma, they
regarded the sky as the limit. Inspired by the commandments
of Almighty God and the teachings of the Holy Prophet they
became transformed mentally and spiritually, human history
has yet to see such a transformation.
Holy Prophet made it compulsory for every Muslim
ةضيرف ملعلا بلط‘‏ male or female to seek knowledge
‘quest for ‏‹نمؤملا ةلاض ةمكحلأ›‏ and also said ‏‹ملسم لك ىلع
knowledge and wisdom is the birth right of every Muslim.
‏َةَمٱِحٱلٱ ‏َتٱؤُي نَمَو says ‏(ىلاعتو هناحبس)‏ Allah
Hik- ‘who was blessed ٱاٱًريِثَٱ اٱًرٱيَخ ‏َىِتوُأ ٱدَقَف
mah ‘wisdom’, blessed the very righteous thing in the universe’
(Al-Quran, 2:269, it indicates chapter no. 02 and verse
269. the same notation is followed throughout the paper),
Quran says ٱمَلٱعَي ٱمَل اَم ‏َناَسٱنِاٱلا ‏َمَّلَع ‘Allah
taught the human being what he did not ‏(ىلاعتو هناحبس)‏
know’ (Al-Quran, 96:5).
Allah هناحبس)‏ ‏(ىلاعتو instructed human beings
‏َنوُمَلٱعَت اَل ٱمُتنُك نِإ ‏ِرٱكِّذلٱ ‏َلٱهَأ ‏ْاٱوُلَٱٱسَف
‘ask the learned men if you do not have knowledge’ (Al-
Quran, 16:43).
The human reason, logic and science are given primacy
in present age. Any scripture claiming to be a divine revelation
must also be acceptable on the strength of its own
reason and logic. Noble Prize winner Albert Einstein says
“Science without religion is lame, Religion without science
is blind”. 9 Analysis of the Quran and Hadith is going on
and important information of modern sciences have been
derived from Quran like astronomy, physics, geography,
geology, oceanology, biology, botany, zoology, medical sciences,
general sciences etc.
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ISHIM 2011-2012