Muslim Medicine

By Dowee Dawit

Early History

During this time period, the medical attitude was according to the hadith narrated by Usamah ibn Sharik which ordered Muslims to, “Make use of medical treatment, for Allah [(SWT)] has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age” (Quran 28:3846). This medicine was based on ancient Mesopotamian and Babylonian traditions, such as their remedies. Dreams were used to determine health. Muslim caliphs “absorbed the wisdom of other cultures,” so to speak.

As Islam grew, science improved in lands under Muslim power. Arabic medicine was based upon Greek science. Muslims gained access to Greek and Latin texts from translators which allowed them to base Arabic science on Greek science. Thus, polyglots were in high demand to translate texts. Greek, Persian and Sanskrit medical texts were translated into the Arabic language which made it the best medicine of the time.

Scholars in Spain

In 50 AD, On Medical Material (De materia medica) by Dioscorides was published and later translated from Greek to Arabic. This text consisted of pharmacology and was widely used in the Middle East and Europe for over a millennium. Another textbook was The Method of Medicine (Al-Tasrif) by Al-Zahrawi, a surgeon, a thirty volume encyclopedia account of his and his colleagues’ experiences. This book contained information on a variety of medical topics from surgery to ophthalmology to dentistry. The first volume was about the basics of medicine, the second was about pathology, the remaining books were about pharmacology, and the last book was about surgery. Surgery was chosen as the last book because the author believed that surgery was the best kind of medicine. The author strongly believed that surgery should only be practiced once the other parts of medicine are mastered. Ibn Rushd and Moses Maimonids had strong ties between philosophy and medicine during the Islamic golden age. Ibn Rushd wrote about a variety of topics such as medicine, physics and theology. Moses Maimonids was the personal doctor of caliphs.

Surgical Success

Over time, medicine made progress and new treatments were developed. In the tenth century, Al-Mawsili made cataract treatment which consists of removing cataracts through a suction. This cataract treatment has been improved since the tenth century, but the original idea is still true. Notebook of the Oculist by Ibn Isa was published in the tenth century and is the most complete book of eye diseases and disorders (ophthalmology). Ibn Isa organized eye diseases based on their anatomical location. Notebook of the Oculist contains three essays. The first is about the eye's anatomy. The second is about the causes, symptoms and treatments of eye diseases and disorders. The third essay is about rare eye diseases and their treatment. Al-Zahrawi invented instruments (scalpels and catheters), pain reduction techniques (cold sponges), and catgut for stitching post operative which are still used to this day.

Treating and Educating

Hospitals were funded by donations to provide treatment for the sick and mentally ill. Also hospitals were provided shelter to the elderly. These new hospitals allowed people of all faiths to work there and the poorest could benefit from the knowledge of doctors. The great Muslim cities competed for hospitals and wanted to have the best teachers and books. In Cairo, Egypt, Ahmad ibn Tulun Hospital was one of the first hospitals founded. The Al-Mansuri Hospital was one of the best known hospitals and had four wards. Muslim medical culture valued study and education in hospitals. Hospitals associated with universities helped teach the next generation of physicians. Scholars learned from experienced medical doctors like university education and modern medical residency. University teaching gave foundation for great medical advances. Medical residency is years of medical study under the supervision of experienced healthcare professionals.

May Allah (SWT) reward those who practice medicine to help others and those brothers and sisters who made contributions to science. May Allah (SWT) help the early scholars to receive sadaqah e jariah for their efforts and to help us spread this knowledge as well. May Allah (SWT) give us ease if we choose to pursue the studies of medicine, surgery, etc.