By Amal Al-Sibai
The Holy Qur’an is a book of guidance to mankind; to help us lead a balanced, healthy, and righteous life, to connect to the Creator, and to build harmonious societies.
In the Holy Qur’an is guidance, healing, glad tidings to the believers, stories of the past, stories of the prophets, but also scientific and medical facts that have amazed scientists and researchers.
Dr. Mohammad Jamil Habbal, consultant physician at Procare Hospital in Al-Khobar, has extensively studied the Holy Qur’an, analyzing the verses that mention scientific phenomena which have been discovered by modern day scientists. In his research, Dr. Habbal found that the medical sciences were referred to in the Holy Qur’an 416 times, astronomy and cosmology was referred to 105 times, and geography 98 times.
According to Dr. Habbal, “There are around 70 verses praising science and scientists, encouraging them to be involved in discovering the universe for the good of humanity. The first five verses revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ordered him to read and learn.”
The guidelines to live by which were revealed in the Holy Qur’an, in essence, are for the protection and preservation of our health and wellbeing.
For example, the following verse encourages mothers to breastfeed their newborns.
{Mothers may nurse [i.e. breastfeed] their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]}. (Chapter 2, verse 233)
According to a report by the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is the optimal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by the World Health Organization as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.
The development of the human embryo was described with precision in the Holy Qur’an.
{Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging [i.e. the womb]. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.} (Chapter 23, verses 13-14)
If a sperm cell penetrates the egg, fertilization results. The fertilized egg divides rapidly and attaches to the lining of the uterus. The internal organs are developed, and the development of the bone structure begins in the third week. By the end of the fifth week, the embryo has doubled in size and has grown a tail-like structure. Images of the embryo in this stage are so different from what the infant looks like at birth. Indeed, when the infant emerges it looks like another creature, as mentioned in the above verse.
The anatomy of the brain was mentioned in a verse of the Holy Qur’an, which alludes to the fact that the area of the brain where lying takes place is in the frontal lobe of the brain.
{A lying, sinning nasiyah [ forelock]} (Chapter 96, verse 16)
The nasiyah in Arabic is the forehead or forelock. The part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex is situated just behind the forehead or forelock.
Over the last decade, scientists have used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to more accurately locate regions of the brain that change when a person lies. This technique measures changes in blood flow in the brain — a reflection of neural activity — as people answer questions while inside the scanner. The resulting images pinpoint brain activity in specific regions during the lie.
The most consistent finding across multiple MRI studies is that activity in the prefrontal cortex increases when people lie.
The verse in the Qur’an that addresses the prohibition of alcohol in Islam points to the fact that there may be some health benefit in wine, but its detrimental effects on human health far outweigh the small good that it may contain.
{They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, “In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.”} (Chapter 2, verse 219)
After establishing that drinking wine is harmful to human health, another verse in the Holy Qur’an was revealed which shows the prohibition of alcohol.
{O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other than Allah], and divining arrows
are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful} (Chapter 5, verse 90)
Although some studies may have indicated that red wine may be heart healthy, the Chief Medical Officer in the UK has issued new guidelines for alcohol consumption which warn that drinking any amount of alcohol increases the risk of a number of types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination.
In addition, alcohol consumption over time can lead to the development of chronic diseases including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. It also increases the risk for cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon. It can lead to memory problems and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
The Holy Qur’an was a miracle during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and will continue to be a miracle to the end of time. The word day is repeated in the Holy Qur’an 365 times, and the word month is found in the Qur’an 12 times.
