Quran and Medicine

Quran and Medicine

Contemporary medical discoveries and their implications for the comprehension of traditional medical narratives

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1  Associate Professor, Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD student in Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies; University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The traditions of the infallibles (A) are considered one of the primary sources for understanding religion after the Holy Qur'an. A correct understanding of narrations plays a vital role in preventing religious and social misconceptions. Therefore, attention to the rules of properly comprehending hadiths, derived from the guidance of the Imams, is essential. Throughout history, scholars have emphasized the significance of referring to the words of the Ahl al-Bayt (A) alongside the Qur'an, as these narrations clarify many religious and ethical teachings. Definitive human scientific findings serve as an important standard in discerning authentic from weak narrations and verifying the credibility of hadith texts. This article, using a descriptive-analytical method, examines the impact of modern medical science on the correct understanding of medical narrations and shows that scientific knowledge, particularly in medicine, can greatly aid in the interpretation of these texts. Especially in the contemporary era, with rapid scientific advancements, this interaction holds even greater importance. At times, an apparent contradiction exists between hadiths and experimental sciences, but through careful text analysis and adherence to hadith comprehension principles, logical interpretations or harmonizations can be reached. Examples like determining fetal gender and women’s menstruation demonstrate that integrating medical science and hadith contributes to clarifying religious concepts and correcting misconceptions, strengthening faith through reason and awareness.
Keywords

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