MEDICINE IN THE QUR’AN AND SUNNAH An Intellectual Reappraisal of the Legacy and Future of Islamic Medicine and its Representation in the Language of Science and Modernity
MEDICINE IN THE QUR’AN AND SUNNAH An Intellectual Reappraisal of the Legacy and Future of Islamic Medicine and its Representation in the Language of Science and Modernity
Umar Faruk Adamu
Safari Books Ltd Ibadan
Published by Safari Books Ltd Ile Ori Detu 1 Shell Close Onireke Ibadan. Email:
[email protected]
© Umar Faruk Adamu
Publisher: Chief Joop Berkhout, OON Deputy Publisher: George Berkhout
Published 2006 New edition, 2012
All rights reserved. This book is copyright and so no part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
ISBN: 978-978-8431-14-5
DEDICATION
TO
THE ALMIGHTY ALLAH THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE MUNFICENT, THE OMNIPRESENT THE GIVER OF LIFE, HEALTH AND WISDOM
v
Contents Dedication Foreword I Foreword II Preface Acknowledgements List of Reviewers and Editorial Advisers List of Definitions and Abbreviations Introduction
v xiii xvi xix xxv xxvii xxix 1
Chapter One Seeking for Knowledge
13
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4
The Concept of Knowledge The Importance of Knowledge The Diversification of Knowledge The Promotion of Medical Education and Health Services
13 15 22 25
Chapter Two Preventive Medicine
33
2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
33 33 35 36 39 39 42 45
Introduction Personal and Environmental Hygiene Oral Hygiene Circumcision Other Forms of Personal Hygiene Drinking Clean and Pure Water Manners of Eating Diet vii
2.8 Physical Health – Sport, Amusement and Recreation 2.9 Social Health 2.10 Mental Health 2.11 The Control of Communicable Diseases and Epidemics 2.12 Passing Urine in Stagnant Water 2.13 Medical Benefits of Ablution and Salat
47 50 54 57 59 60
Chapter Three Curative Medicine
63
3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3
63 65 72
Introduction Treatment with Honey Fever, Sore Throat and Tonsilitis The Control of Bleeding and Treatment of Wounds 3.4 Cupping and Cauterisation 3.5 Remedy With Dates 3.6 Remedy with Nigella Seed (Habba-tus-Sawda) 3.7 Diseases of and Antidotes to the Housefly 3.8 Remedy with Milk 3.9 The Treatment of Pain and Malaise 3.10 The Management of the Unconscious Patient 3.11 The Management of Burns and Dehydration 3.12 Nutritional Rehabilitation in Patients’ Care 3.13 The Treatment of Mental Illnesses and Other Diseases 3.14 The Treatment of lnsomnia or Sleep Dis