| | | Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Hafeez The primitive man attributed disease, and in fact, all human sufferings and other calamities, to the wrath of (his self made) gods, the invasion of body or mind by evil ‘spirits’ and the malevolent influence of stars and planets. This concept of disease, in which ancient man believed, is known as the “Supernatural theory of disease”. As a logical sequence, the medicine he practiced consisted of appeasing gods & goddesses by prayers, rituals and sacrifices, using charms, amulets, pungent herbs etc. to protect himself against the influence of devils, demons and evil spirits. Medicine was dominated by magical and religious beliefs, which were integral parts of ancient cultures and civilization. According to Henry Siegerist, the medical historian, every culture had developed a system of medicine and medical history is but one aspect of history of culture. Dubos states that ancient medicine was the mother of sciences and played a large role in the integration of early cultures. It has been truly said that medicine was conceived in sympathy and born out of necessity and that first doctor was the first man and the first woman, the first nurse. The medicine man, the priest, the herbolist and the magician, all undertook in various ways to cure man’s disease and to bring relief to the sick, in an almost complete absence of ‘scientific’ medical knowledge. It would not be fair to say that the early practitioners of medical art contributed nothing to the alleviation of man’s suffering from disease. Medical knowledge, in fact, has been derived, to a very great degree, from the intuitive and observational propositions and cumulative experience gleaned from others. The so-called ‘Traditional healers’ are found everywhere, not only in the developing countries (70-80% people using in Asia, Africa and South America etc.) but also in the developed world (40-60%) even today. Recently (press note released on May 16, 2002 by WHO) the WHO launched its first global strategy on ‘traditional medicine’. The Chinese medicine claims to be the world’s first organized body of medical knowledge dating back to 2700 B.C. it is based on two principles the ‘yang’ (active, masculine principle) and the ‘yin’ (a negative, feminine one). The imbalance of these opposing forces produced ill health. In Ayurveda there is the ‘tri-dosha theory’ to produce disease. The doshas or humor are: vata (wind), pitta (gall) and kapha (mucus). In Greek medicine there were four humors - phlegm, yellow bile, blood and black bile. Aesculapius (1200 BC), an early leader in Greek medicine, who later became ‘god’ and his daughters Hygiea and Panacea, ‘goddesses’ of Health, are still cherished in medical circles. His staff, entwined by twin serpents (regular shedding of their skin was seen as representing and magically ensuring rebirth and constant renewal), still continues to be the symbol of medicine and also we start our prescriptions with the letter “R ” which means: Take thou (recipe) with the name of Aesculapius (/) ! (We, as Muslims, should start our prescriptions with name of ALLAH, the Real Health Giver (HO WASH SHAFI)) Hippocratus (460-370 BC), often called the ‘Father of Medicine”, introduced new approaches and methods in medicine and taught it as an art. His famous oath, the “Hippocratic oath” has become the keystone of medical ethics. In Roman medicine, Galen (130-205 A.D.) was a great teacher who observed that disease was due to three factors - predisposing, exciting and environmental factors, a truly modern idea. The ancient Egyptian civilization also developed medicine. They invented picture writing and recorded their doings on papyri. Egyptian medicine was far from primitive. They believed that disease was due to absorption of harmful substances from intestine, which gave rise to putrefaction of blood and formation of pus. They employed a wide range of drugs, cathartics and blood letting. During middle ages the Europe was ravaged by disease and pestilence, plague, small pox, leprosy, tuberculosis, cholera etc. The practice of medicine reverted back to primitive medicine dominated by superstition and dogma. Rejection of body and glorification of the Spirit, became the accepted pattern of behavior. It was regarded as immoral to see one’s body, consequently people (and more so the ‘holy’ people) seldom bathed. This period is considered as Dark ages of medicine for Europe - a time of great strife; of socio-political change, of regression and progression. However, during this period, the Arabs rose to the new heights. Not only Graeco-Roman medical literature was translated into Arabic, but they also developed a system of medicine based on it the Unani system of medicine (Tibb-e-Unani) and produced great researchers, philosophers, writers and authors. In medicine, people like Abu Becr Rhazes (865-926) , Ibne Sina (980-1037 AD) (Avicenna) were the leaders in scientific analysis of diseases, pharmacy and surgical procedures. Avecinia’s 21-volume encyclopedia, the ‘Canon of Medicine’ was but one of many works to leave mark on medical theory & practice and pharmaceutical chemistry. The period following 1500 AD was marked by revolutions - political, industrial, religious and medical. The industrial revolution in the West brought great benefits leading to an improvement in the standard of living. With advancing degrees of civilization, medicine also evolved. Francastorius (1483-1535 AD), an Italian physician, enunciated the ‘theory of Contagion’. Andreas Vasalius (1514-1564) of Brussels did a lot of dissections on human body and raised the study of anatomy to a science. Apart from others, there were surgeons like Ambroise Pare (1518-90), of French army and John Hunter (1728-93). In 1540, the United Company of Barber Surgeons was established in England, which later on became the Royal College of Surgeons. The 17th and 18th centuries were full of exciting discoveries like circulation of blood (Harvey 1628) microscope (Leeuwenhoek 1670), microbes, vaccination against small pox (Jenner 1796) etc. Studies were done on epidemics of cholera, smallpox, plague, typhoid, role of vectors, and Public Health Acts were introduced for the control of man’s physical environment. The later and so called modern, periods are full of tremendous progresses and ‘break throughs’ discovery of insecticides, antibiotics, vitamins, hormones, synthetic methods to produce pharmaceuticals and chemicals, vaccines, psychotic drugs, surgical and microsurgical techniques, X ray & other scanning, endoscopy and laboratory aids. Every time it was thought that this breakthrough is going to be the victory point, but the zeal soon abated. Now a days, the ‘in business’ are genetic engineering, specialists and sub specialists, microsurgery, laser applications, diagnostic techniques etc. However in spite of tremendous progress, the state of affairs, in the world, especially for the common people, is pitiable. We still have old diseases, with stubborn strains, like malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, viral diseases, venereal diseases, hepatitis, cancers, malnutrition and above all global infection of inhumanity, immorality, violence, sexual anarchy, nudism, AIDS and drug addiction. Most of the ailments are self-limiting and the body has the power to get rid of them. Animals, who are nearer to nature, know by instinct, how to treat their illness by using physical measures or by eating herbs. As man is progressing in knowledge, and scientific techniques, his instinctive and intuitive capabilities and internal vision are becoming dull and dim, because in the presence of so many aids and instruments, he hardly uses his inner illumination. The art of writing and recording has weakened the capabilities of memory. The abundance of comforts and luxuries tends to make man forgetful of Allah and Divine forces. The balance of faith (Tawakkal) and use of natural principles (Sunnatallah) gets upset, which need correction for healing. There has been tremendous progress in biological sciences and new and numerous ways of investigating, diagnosing and treating ailments are being discovered and improvised. No doubt these have helped in treating and controlling many diseases. Immediate results have been achieved but these have not been able to help the man in general; and secondary effects and late complications are becoming evident every day. The tragedy with modern science is that it takes everything materialistically. Man is considered to be a machine, consisting of assembled components, and for each, there are specialists and sub-specialists. Although specialization has led to great progress in knowledge, but these hair splitters ignore the fact that the hair belongs to a scalp, and scalp belongs to a living person and a person is influenced by a host of factors, his whole personality and environment etc. The disease has long been considered to be something external. The ancient man attributed it to attack by devils, demons, evil spirits and wrath of gods. Modern man blames the environment, climate, cold, heat, humidity, dehydration, living styles, pollutants, germs, viruses, changes in nutrition etc. These are all external in nature. Actually the illness is more internal than external. It generates from within and is influenced by the external factors. The psyche, family background, beliefs, environment and genetic make up (now every disease is being linked with ‘defective’ genes which they will `correct` and may cause other problems) all are held to influence the emergence of disease from within. When the body suffers, the intellect and the spiritual inside of the person also suffer and vice versa. The ailment, whether local or general, the physical body reacts to it under the influence of one’s nature, inborn qualities, environment and mental make up. When an organ or body is attacked by something external-mechanical, chemical, thermal or infective, the body responds with circulation of more blood, increase in white (fighter) blood cells, producing antibodies and necessary chemicals and hormones. There is permeability of small blood vessels (capillaries), which increases accordingly. The local temperature is raised and the battle between the invaders and defenders is fought till invader is killed, eliminated, walled off or controlled. In injuries, contraction of blood vessels and clot formation tend to stop/reduce bleeding. This is all due to inborn auto-corrective system of natural defense and not due to drugs (drugs may help but cannot initiate the process). Same is true of general infections and other agents. Allergic response is an exaggerated expression of immunity or defense. Now, let us consider the effects of mental or emotional influences like fright, anger, hatred, tension, pleasure or delight. We shall find the face becoming red or pale, muscles or features becoming tense or flaccid, trembling, fainting, palpitation, rapid breath, perspiration, frequent need to go to latrine (micturation or defecation), dry throat, vomiting, griping, indigestion, imbalance of hormones etc., are all expressed in bodily or physical symptoms and signs. Thus in human body, changes occur due to both mind and body. Even a thought can trigger physical changes. Thus the effectiveness of an agent is greatly influenced by one’s personality, family characteristics, mental make up, character, religious back ground, mode of life, environment, one’s attitude toward the aliment and confidence in treatment. The truth cannot be denied that every living being has metaphysical factor or aspect. Man, no doubt, is the most superior creation of Allah, but is also weak in its nature (man was created weak; Quran 4; 28). On one hand, he may be brave, strong and daring enough to face any hardship and resist any force, may be able to land on moon and traverse space and walk undaunted with suicidal bombs. On the other hand just a phone call may make him run from his own place of work or dwelling. Right from the earliest history, we see him getting so terrified from darkness, thunderbolt, certain sounds, other animals, plants, fire, rivers, unseen (supposed) good or evil forces etc. that he started worshipping these and made every effort and sacrifice to please them. He wants strength or support which gives him confidence, may it be by prayers, sacrifice, tokens, amulet, charm, taweez, magic, wazeefa or chanting slogans, branding face or body with sacred signs (Hindus, African Tribes), “atomic” ring or bangle, stone etc. People get well by even conflicting methods of treatment. In homeopathy, the principle is to treat with the same, whereas is allopathy, it is to treat with opposite or antagonists. In clinical trials, it is observed, that most patients tend to respond in a positive way to any therapeutic intervention by interested, caring and enthusiastic medical personnel or therapist. The manifestation of this phenomenon in the subject is the ‘placebo response’ (=Latin: “I will please”), and may involve objective, physiologic and biochemical changes as well as changes in subjective complaints associated with the disease. It is usually quantitated by administration of an inert material with exactly the same physical appearance. The magnitude of response varies considerably from patient to patient. The incidence of placebo response is usually 20-40%. In any therapy, to impress the patient and gain his confidence and faith, the personality of the therapist, his turn out (early traditional therapists wore special robes with horns in cap, bones and stones worn in the neck, painted faces, reddened eyes), his way of talking, claims, environment of the place/office/hospital, use of special atmosphere (smoky room with “Aud”, “Umbar”, “Ajwain”, Camphor, Sandal wood) his way of dealing and communication, all have a basic role to play in the emotional and intellectual attitude of the patient. Prayer, confidence and belief work in the body to improve the balance and aid in healing. If we respond to Real Ruler and Controller of All Causes and Effects, we can gain great results. Healing is from Allah Almighty and we are just an instrument of the Healer. The doctors give the same medication to two different patients with the same type of aliment or perform similar operations on two patients otherwise at the same risk. One may survive and the other may not. It is more than just chance or ‘luck’. As Socrates puts it; “I dress the wound and God heals it.” Prophet Abrahim also acknowledged it; “and when I fail ill, it is He who cures me”(Quran 26:80). Allah attests it by saying: “If God touches thee with an affliction, no one can remove it but He” (Quran 6:17). Dr. Larry Dossay, in his book, ‘The Healing Words’ has documented the healing effects of prayer. Citing one example form the research conducted by Dr. Byrd at San Francisco General Hospital in 1988, 393 critically ill heart patients, admitted in the intensive care units, over a 10-month period were divided into two groups. Group A were the patients who were prayed for by name, till they left the hospital. Group B were not prayed for. The prayer makers were not told how to pray. The results were very interesting. Those who were prayed for, left the hospital early, had less cardiac arrest, 2.5 time less incidence of congestive heart failure and required 20% less antibiotics. They also observed that prayer combined with loving care worked even better. Men who had angina pectoris and a loving caring wife, reported 50% more reduction in attacks of angina than men who were single or divorced. Prayers work for us even while we are sleeping. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) advised us to say prayers from Quran (Surah Ikhlas, Al-falaq, Annas :112, 113, 114.) and/or last verse of Al-bakarah (2:286) before going to sleep. It has also been felt by non-religious thinkers like Adler and Jing, that no patient (esp. fuctional or psychic) can be said to be healthy, unless he or she has a link with the supernatural Supreme Divine Power. According to A. Shariati (Man and Islam), even though the human being’s body is composed of base earthly material, the human being carries something within his or her spiritual being that is not to be found any where else in the created universe - a spark of the Divine Spirit itself. This Divine Spark is something that even the angels do not possess. Such a two-dimensional being needs a religion, which can protect him from swinging to either asceticism (self denying) or total worldliness and continuously keeps him at an equilibrium. Islam caters to both the worldly needs of the human existence on earth and the heavenly aspirations of human spirit. The ailment, therapist and the person to be treated and the treatment prescribed (in any form), all of them are in the direct governing power of Allah. He is the Sole and Supreme Directing Force. His Powers are beyond our imagination. As Allah is omnipresent and omnipotent, and we are always present in His sovereignty, we must remember this every moment and in every matter and start every thing in His name and invoke Him to give us strength and success. Words are the body of meaning, therefore they become powerful tools to invoke blessings and gracious mercies. Allah heeds to those who call for Him (Quran 2; 186). Use is made of Meditation (“Zikrallah”, “Dhikr”) in prayer and healing. These are acts of remembrance and communication with God as ordained to us: “When my servant asks you (O Muhammad) about Me (tell them) I am close to them, I listen to the prayer of each supplicant when he asks Me. Let them listen to My call and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way (2:186) “Your Lord says; “Call on me and I will answer your call” (Quran 40; 60). “Remember Me, I will remember you; thank Me and reject Me not”(Quran: 2:152). “Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in remembrance of Allah, for without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction. (Quran 13:28). “Remember thy Lord much and praise Him in the evening and morning “ (Quran 3:41) “Such are those who remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining. “ (Quran 3:191). “O you who believe, seek help with patience and prayers, as Allah is with those who patiently persevere (Quran: 2:153) etc.etc. Zikr or meditation/remembrance practiced by Sufi sheikhs, apart from spiritual effects, also acts by calming effects of rhythm (such effect of some degree are also seen in music, rocking, yoga, meditation or “maraqba”) and by production of endorphins (endogenous peptides) in the body, which have opioid analgesic characteristics. Recitation of Quran and Zikr of Asma-ul-Hasna, especially loudly, according to Dr. Shahid Athar, Associate professor, Indiana University Medical School, not only has direct healing effect on the sick, but also effects by medical benefits of Echo. The miniaturized version of Echo is used in medicine to break kidney stones (lithotripsy), gall stones and even vegetations on valves of heart (subacute bacterial endocarditis). It is postulated that Echo Target of ALIF LAM MEEM is in the heart and of YASEEN in the pituitary gland of the brain. Prophet Muhammad, (P.B.U.H.) used to comfort the sick, when visited them, and pray with the following prayers for the sick:. “I supplicate Allah the Great, Sustainer & Lord of the Mighty throne, that He gives you health” ( Tirmazi, Abu Daood) “O Allah, remove the hardship, O Lord of mankind, grant cure, for You are the Healer. There is no cure but from You, a cure that leaves no illness behind.”) (Bokhari) Nothing to fear, by Allah’s will, is being cleaned of sins, no worry, by Allah’s will, is being washed of wrongdoings.”(Bokhari, Hasan/Husain) REFERENCES 1. Park, K, Text Book of Preventive and Social Medicine, 22nd Ed. Banarsidas Bhanot Pub. Jabalpur. 2. Sussar, M.W.& Watson, W., Sociology in Medicine, Oxford P. London 1962. Brasch,R., Strange Customs, Tynron Press, Scotland, 1976. 3. Katzung, B.G.,Berkowitz, B., Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, Lang Med. Pub. 1985 Koshul, Basit Bilal, Islam and Post Modern Possibilities, 4. The Quranic Horizens Oct-Dec 2000, Anjm. Khuddam-ul-Quran, Lahore. 5. Ali, Abdullah Yusaf, English Translation of the meaning of Holy Quran, King Fahd Quran Printing Complex. S.A. 6. Sahih Al Bukhari, Eng. Translation, Apkar Pk. Karachi. 7. Athar, Shahid, Sufi Prayers and Healing, Hamdard Medicus, Vol. XI No.3, Hamdard Foundation, Karachi Pakistan. 8. Saeed, Hakeem M., How-ash-Shafi, Hamdard-i-Sehat, Jan.1985, Hamdard Foundation Karachi, Pakistan. 9. Dubos, R.J. Man, Medicine & Environment, New American Library, New York 1969. 10. Duthie, A., The Greek Mytheology, Oliver & Boyd, Edin. & London. 11. Hafeez, Ashfaq A., Eaadat ke Islami Adab, Monthly Hamdard-i-Sehat, 2-1982 Hamdard Foundation, Karachi.
Back to Table of Contents
| | |