Dr Muhammad Obaidullah: Historically, Muslims have contributed to almost all branches of science including medical science. The west, however, has tried to ignore the contributions of Muslims to Medical Science by saying that there was no constructive work done by Muslims during the Muslim era. Therefore, it becomes a great issue what is the real contribution of Muslim scholars to Medical Science or any other specific field in healthcare and in other branches of knowledge. It’s our duty as a part of dawah activities to spread the beauty of Islam for mankind. (Al-Qur’an, Surah as-Saff, 61:9). This short article will highlight only a few significant contributions of medieval Muslims scholars to Medicine. The contributions which the Muslims made by the discoveries and development of new drugs and therapeutic agents are great in number as well as in value.

Medieval Muslim scholars` contribution to medical scienceIbn Sina (980-1037) is considered as the father of today’s modern Medical Science. His contribution to medicine is unparallel as he invented many new medicines. His discovery of the contagious nature of infectious disease, the introduction of quarantine to limit the spread of contagious diseases, experimental medicine, evidence-based medicine and clinical pharmacology are true blessings of Medical Science. Ibn Sina’s `the Canon of Medicine` (in 14 volumes) was the first book in experimental medicine and it laid out some rules and principles for testing the effectiveness of new drugs and medications.

The author of the first major works in Medical Science `Ali ibn Rabban al-Tabari (838-870 AD), a converted Muslim, wrote his `Paradise of Wisdom` (Firdaus al-hikmah) in 850 AD. In 360 chapters, he summarised various branches of medicine devoting to the last discourse, which consists of 36 chapters to the study of Indian medicine. The work, the first large compendium of its kind is of particular value in the fields of pathology, pharmacology and dietetics.

Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya Razi (846-930), an al-Tabari`s student who is known as Razi, was without any doubt the greatest clinical and observational Muslim physician along with Ibn Sina, the most influential in the sector both in east and west. As a physician, he formulated the first known description of smallpox in his book `al-Judari wa al-Hasbah`. He also discovered the `allergic asthma` and firstly realised the fever is not a disease but a natural defence mechanism, the body’s way of fighting diseases. He wrote several books on Medical Science including (i) The Virtuous Life (al-Hawi), (ii) A medical adviser for the general public (Man la Yahduruhu Al-Tabib), (iii) Doubts About Galen (Shukuk `ala alinusor). (iv) The Diseases of Children.

Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni (973-1048) is also known as a great Muslim scholar in the field of Medical Science. His “Kitab al-Saidana fi al-Tibb” was an extensive medical and pharmacological encyclopedia which synthesised Islamic medicine with Indian medicine. This book was also a Materia-medica which was the earliest to describe the eating of several fungi including truffles, which are types of hypogenous fungi.

There are more than 30 treatises attributed to al-Kindi (801-873) in the field of medicine. He first demonstrated the application of mathematics and quantification to medicine particularly in the field of pharmacology. In his Treatise on Diseases Caused by Phlegm, he provides the first scientific explanation and treatment for epilepsy. In his Aqrabadhin (Medical Formulary), he describes many pharmaceutical preparations, including simple drugs derived mostly from botanical sources as well as animal and mineral sources.

In medicine, Ibn-Rushd (1126-1198 AD) has a significant number of contributions. He wrote a medical encyclopedia called Kulliyat. In urology, Ibn-Rushd identified the issues of sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction and he was among the first to prescribe medication for the treatment of these problems.

Ibn al-Jazzar was a prolific author in the field of medicine. His "Kitab al-adwiya al-mufrada" (Treatise on Simple Drugs) was translated into Greek, Latin and Hebrew and was frequently copied. His Tibb al-fuqara ` wa al-masakin (Medicine for the Poor) represents a literary topic which became especially popular during the Middle Ages.

Ibn al-Nafis (1213-1288 AD) wrote many books on medicine including (i) Al-Shamil fi al-Tibb (The Comprehensive Book on Medicine), (ii) The Comprehensive Book on Medicine, (iii) Al-Mujaz fi al-Tibb (A Summary of Medicine), (iv) Rislat al-A’da’a (An Essay on Organs) and (v) Al Shamel fi al-Tibb (Reference book for physicians). He first introduced the use of vinegar which is still used for ear infections in modern days as well.

Ibn Zuhr (1091-1161AD) performed the first parenteral nutrition of humans with a silver needle and wrote a book on it entitled The Method of Preparing Medicines and Diet. He also developed the drug therapy and medicinal drugs for the treatment of specific diseases like other Muslims scholars.

The present situation, however, shows a different scenario of Muslims’ decline not only in science but also in any other branches of knowledge. There are many reasons behind this situation. Ibn Khaldun discussed the phenomenon of the decline of Muslim scientists in his famous book "Al-Muqaddima". He says that “if a profession is in great demand, people will try to learn it, whereas if there is no demand for a profession it will be neglected and will disappear.” In discussing the rational sciences, Ibn Khaldun also remarks that “when the empire became established, and when Islamic civilisation surpassed all others, Muslims studied eagerly the rational sciences of the ancients until they excelled over them.” Some modern writers argue that the present satiation of Muslims is caused by the negative attitude of Muslim theologians. The traditional madrasah system is another barrier of styling science and other branches of knowledge for practical Islamic life. The fall of Othman emperor and other Muslim emperors is another important factor for the fall of Muslim scientists.

Muslims thinkers, policymakers, scholars, academicians and others who love Islam and try to revive the glorious history of Islam should think about the situation and truly devote their thoughts and contributions to overcome the present situation. Most importantly, the Islamic education system should be revised as soon as possible by including all practical issues and fields in the syllabus and curriculum rather than some fiqhi mas’ala and shri’ah laws. As we know that Islam is a complete code of life, it includes all branches of knowledge which are needed for the betterment of the contemporary world. Moreover, Muslims should play their roles as the khalifa of Allah (swt.). (Surah al-Baqarah, 2: 30).

Author:  Dr Muhammad Obaidullah is a scholar in Islamic studies and researcher on Islamic views on contemporary issues.