Anatomy of Musculoskeletal System in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith

ABSTRACT

The integration of human knowledge between the medical and health care sciences with revealedknowledge was established since the era of Al-Razi (Rhazes), Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Al-Zahrawi (Albucasis) and others. However, the glorious period of Islamic medicine gradually declined afterthe period of 'Abbasiyyah and 'Uthmaniyyah. At present, many scholars tend to separate the modernmedicine and the revealed knowledge, resulting in the disconnection between these two fields. There islittle to suggest the presence of reference collections that integrate the Qur’an and Hadith with medicine.This review aimed to fill that gap. Relevant Qur’anic verses and authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him; henceforth PBUH) in relation to a specific field in medicine i.e. the anatomy of humanmusculoskeletal system was extracted. The musculoskeletal system is unique in which it forms the‘backbone’ of normal human posture. The system plays a vital role in maintaining human daily activities.From this review, it is noted that many Qur’anic verses and Hadith relate to the musculoskeletal system. Afew examples include the number human joints and its relationship with the daily prayers (Salah), the dailycharitable act recommended to all Muslim, the coccyx bone that is indestructible and shall be the source forhuman resurrection during the hereafter, and others. These examples necessitate for a more in-depthanalysis to enlighten the revealed knowledge from the medical perspective.