Understanding Life in Islam, Prophetic Medicine

26:12

21 Apr 2011

Medicine / Health

Yusuf al-Qaradawi

Brother Akram

In this undated episode of “Understanding Life in Islam”, Brother Akram and Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi discuss “Prophetic Medicine:  Personal Experience or Divine Revelation?”.  Al-Qaradawi emphasizes that while Muḥammad may have offered some medical advice, he was not “sent to offer medical treatment”, so his opinions on these matters were no more than an otherwise intelligent man of his time, and may not be suitable everywhere.  He also notes that modern medicine has advanced well beyond practices “used by ancient Arabs”, such as cupping.

Topics include the value of the body for Islam, cupping, using Qurʾānic verses a cure, specific vs. general ḥadīth, jinn, food preferences.

Evaluation:

Islam:  The material on Islam is within the bounds of what Muslims have historically understood as acceptable.  Al-Qaradawi specifically suggests avoiding exaggeration.

Science:  Al-Qaradawi suggests that in modern times, we should trust modern medicine, and that if one wishes to use remedies from Muḥammad, they should be researched by “competent doctors and scientists” rather than folk practitioners.  The host occasionally seems to suggest the opposite, but it may be to help draw out al-Qaradawi’s ideas.

History:  The historical material here is limited, but the premodern scholars that al-Qaradawi draws on are used appropriately.