Ethics in the medieval medicine and biology. According to
"Avesta", the ancient book of Iranians, a physician have three
"instruments": herbs, word and knife. "Herb" means pharmacology,
"knife" is surgery and word - prayers and psychotherapy. It was
considered that kind words and ethical behavior of a physician can
strongly contribute to the medical treatment. "Good Thought, Good
Word and Good Deed" - these were the main principles of the
ancient Iranian culture [6].
The situation with morality and ethics in medical science
changed with Islam’s recognition. Muslims were eager to fulfill all
moral ideas cited in the Holy Koran. Namely in the Islamic period,
most of the Greek and some Indian medical books were translat-
ed in Arabic, Persian and Turkic languages. The Indian "Ayurveda"
became known better in the Middle East. According to the ancient
Indian medicine a physician must be delicate, compassionate and
always suggest confidence of recovery [7].
Medieval Azerbaijani scholars were familiar with the ancient
Greek medicine and tried to follow the famous principles of
Hippocrates. The books by the famous Greek physician Galen
were very popular in the medieval Iran, Azerbaijan and neighbor-
ing regions. Galen wrote that it is necessary to be very delicate,
kind and humane with a patient [8].
Medicine was considered the most respected science in the
Islamic World. For example, the famous Iranian author Keykavus
Ibn Isgandar wrote in his "Gabusname": "The physician must read
"Admonitions" by Hippocrates to be careful in treatment of dis-
eases and show uprightness in this art. A physician himself and his
clothes must always be clean. A doctor has to use fragrant per-
fumes and smile when looking at the patient. He must say pleas-
114
ant words and encourage the sick to strengthen his natural forces
and energy... Never criticize the sick severely. Show concern for
him, never say that he will never recover" [9].
Ibn Sina also wrote about the medical ethics. According to
him, a doctor must know his job perfectly, show attention and care
for the sick, because even a word of a physician can heal or kill the
patient. Zakariya Razi also said the same things [10].
Although Nasiraddin Tusi (1201-1274) included zoology and
botany in his list of sciences, biology (and bioethics, of course) did
not exist as a separate science during the early Middle Ages.
Nevertheless, medieval scholars were concerned with ethical
problems associated not only with humans, but also with animals
and plants [11].
For example, it was considered that is not right to kill and tor-
ment animals during scientific explorations. Of course, such trials
are necessary for development of the medicine and testing the
new pharmacological preparations. However, one should not be
too cruel to living being if it is not necessary. The great poet Nizami
Ganjavi wrote in his "Isgandarnama" [12]:
The wild animals are not afraid of us,
Because we will not torment them...
And not kill animals without necessity,
Because they are the adornment of Nature.
Medical Ethics and religion. Learning and scholarship are
important in Islamic faith and culture. The first verse in Koran is a
direct instruction for learning. Knowledge and science were always
highly valued by the Prophet Muhammad, who said that 'the ink of
scholars is worth more than the blood of the martyrs'. At the time
when the Arabs were still confined to their peninsula, Muslims were
instructed to seek knowledge, 'even in China'. Prophet Muhammad
instructed parents to teach their children how to read and write:
'The right due to the child from his parent is for the parent to teach
him writing, swimming, archery and to provide him with nothing
115
what is wholesome' (authenticated by al-Baihaqi) [13].
Along with it, every scientist must be afraid of the God and
doesn't infringe ethic and religious norms. Many quotations related
to ethics can be found in Koran [14]:
"O you men! Surely We have created you of a male and a
female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each
other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one
among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is knowing,
Aware" (The Chambers, 13).
"And every one has a direction to which he should turn, there-
fore hasten to (do) good works; wherever you are, Allah will bring
you all together; surely Allah has power over all things" (The Cow,
148).
"... For every one of you did We appoint a law and a way, and
if Allah had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people,
but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with
one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return..."
(The Food, 48).
Prophet Muhammad said repeatedly about relations between
the faith, morality and ethics: "Those believers who are perfect in
religion, also are perfect in morality"; "During the Judgment Day,
there will not be a better thing in a believer's balance than a good
morality, because the God hates an amoral individual" [15].
Islam declared some restrictions in scientific researches.
According to the Islamic faith, a physician must follow the laws by
Shariah. For example, it was forbidden to prepare human corpses.
It hampered some scientific researches. Therefore, some scien-
tists prepared animals (dogs, monkeys, etc.) to study their internal
organs.
Besides, Islam determines the rules of family planning.
According to Imami Shi'ites abortion is not allowed at any time.
According to Hanafi School, abortion is generally allowed before
120 days. Abortion after 120 days is prohibited by consensus in all
schools except where it is for the protection of the mother's life
[16].
116
Pharmacology and Shariah. The doctor have to heal the
patient with the Halal (lawful) things. Despite this fact, many
medieval pharmacopoeias contain medicines made of the Haram
(unlawful) and Makruh (lawful, but undesirable from the moral point
of view) things. For example, the famous Iranian scientists
Muhammad Mu'min, Muzaffar Shafai [17,18] and others recom-
mended such medicines as the pig fat, rabbit meat, sturgeon,
caviar, various insects, lizards, snakes, wine, preparations of alco-
hol, etc. These medicines were used only in the exceptional cases
to save the patient's health and life. In these cases, it was not pro-
hibited to use such medicines. Thus, Muzaffar Shafa'i and other
medieval pharmacists listed in their books the "medical wines" of
apple, grapes, quince and other fruits.
History and contemporary situation. The methods of ster-
ilization and contraception which are used today were not known
to the early Islamic theologians or physicians. The companions
(sahabah) of the Prophet Muhammad used to practice "al-azl" (or
coitus interrupts) at the time of the Prophet while the Koran was
being revealed (from Jabir's tradition reported in the two Sahihs i.e.
agreed upon). Had it been something amoral or non-ethical, the
Koran would have prohibited its practice. Further and according to
another tradition reported by Muslim, the Prophet came to know
about it (al-azl by his Companions) and he did not forbid them
practicing it [19].
Nowadays, many different and new ways of contraception
(pharmacological, physical, et.) appeared. There are different opin-
ions about modern methods of contraception in the contemporary
Islamic World.
In considering the lawfulness and ethical value of birth con-
trol and its methods Sheikh Mohammad Mahdi Shamsuddin, one
of the current leaders of the Imami Shiites stated in 1974: "It is
allowed by the Shariah Law for the couple to restrict their offspring
by contraception". There was no evidence that the practice was
prohibited and legal traditions and texts explicity regard al-azl as
permissible. "Clearly this method of coitus interrupts referred to in
117
the legal texts, is the only one available for the birth control". He
affirmed that the lawfulness of birth control is established with the
wife's consert. He quoted a tradition indicating that the husband, "if
he wishes he may practice al-azl, or if he wishes he may not prac-
tice al-azl" [20].
Another theologist, Sheikh Jadel Haq Ali Jadel Haq, the
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, published in 1991 a monograph, "Laws
of Shari'ah and Gynecological Problems" [21]. The monograph
included, among other things, consideration of contraception,
abortion, sterilization and methods of infertility control. The Grand
Imam confirmed, in all these issies, his 'fatwas' produced earlier
when he was the Mufti of Egypt in the 1970 and 1980. The Grand
Imam ruled that:
1. There is no text (nuss) in the Koran prohibiting prevention
of pregnancy or diminution of the number of children. But there are
several traditions of the Prophet that indicate its permissibility.
2. Pregnancy prevention is not killing (wa'd) or contradictory
to provision (rizq) or reliance on Allah (tavakkul).
3. Modern methods are, by analogy, permissible.
4. Temporary sterilization is permissible, but permanent ster-
ilization is not, except for health reasons.
5. Abortion after 120 days is prohibited except to save the
mother's health. Before that opinion differs.
6. Artificial insemination with husband's sperm is allowed.
Donor sperm and sperm banks are prohibited.
7. No law should coerce people to use contraception or to fix
the number of children.
Treatment of infertility is not only allowed and ethical but is
recommended. There is no problem with chemical or surgical ther-
apy as long as it is permitted by honest, experienced specialist.
The problem lies, however, with some methods of artificial insemi-
nation and genetic engineering. Detailed description of all these
issues are given in the book "Family Planning in the Legacy of
Islam" by Abdel Rahim Omran [22].
The gene engineering in modern medicine assumes ever
118
greater importance. Has the human being a right to change his
genetic structure? There are many contradictory opinions. Many
scientists say that the gene engineering may help us to treat some
dangerous hereditary diseases. The clinical trials with transplanta-
tion of genes show good results in the persons with the diabetes
mellitus. Such application of the gene engineering is not against
Shari'ah, because Islam is a humane religion and can't forbid med-
ical treatment of a diseased person. Especially, if there are not
other ways to heal them completely (diabetes mellitus, etc.).
Nowadays, to increase productivity of agricultural cultures
geneticists in America and Europe insert animal genes into plant
cells. The genes of pig and other unlawful animals are used as
well. The Muslims and Jewish religious believers are against this
practice. The halal food turns into haram if contains even only one
gene from a haram organism, such as pig. Many Muslims believe
that one eats haram, if he eats the tomatoes with the pig genes.
The Jewish people also have its own elaborated Kosher system
and some of them are against the agricultural application of the
gene engineering [23].
There are similar problems with the clones of human and
animals. The term "cloning" became wide-spread three years ago,
when the scientists from Scotland informed about the successful
cloning of the lamb named Dolly. Today, we already have the
clones of the pig, caw, monitor lizard, etc. Cloning of a human
being is also possible. The world community is concerned with
numerous moral and ethical problems, which can appear as a
result of this practice. Besides, there are many problems con-
cerned with the social status of the cloned children.
Therefore, experiments with the human clones are prohibited
in many countries, including the 19 members of the European
Union. Many Islamic countries are also against. At the same time,
it is impossible to stop or restrict the scientific explorations and
experiments with cloning. They will continue. So, it is necessary to
develop the certain criteria to regulate all possible applications of
these scientific discoveries.
119
Nowadays, the ethical and moral problems in science
assume ever greater importance. To solve all these problems, it is
essential to take into account the rich legacy of the ancient civi-
lization, including the ancient books in the field of medicine, theol-
ogy and philosophy written in Iran, Caucasus and Central Asia.
As a result of the recent study, it have been established that
the medieval Muslum, including Azerbaijani scholars attached a
great importance to ethical problems in medicine and biology. The
most authoritative sources were the Holy Koran and the state-
ments of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Many ethical and moral
problems associated with science and medicine are discussed in
books of the great Muslim theologists and scientists.
The main results of the present study are as follows:
1. Ethics and morality played the important role in the ancient
culture of Azerbaijan.
2. These issues had taken special significance with Islam’s
coming in the 7th-8th AD.
3. During the Middle Ages, numerous books were devoted to
the ethical and moral problems (for example, "Akhlagi-Nasiri" by
Nasiraddin Tusi). These books contain the special theories about
ethics and moral philosophy based on the Holy Koran, Hadises,
and ideas of medieval Muslim and ancient Greek scholars.
4. A number of Muslim physicians including Ibn Sina and
Zakariyya Razi wrote about the medical ethics in their works.
According to him, a doctor must know his job perfectly, show atten-
tion and care for the sick, because even a word of a physician can
heal or kill the patient.
5. Many medieval thinkers, including the poet Nizami
Ganjavi, considered that it is not right to kill and torment animals
without necessity. So, he blamed the entertaining hunt and cruel
experiments on animals.
6. During the Middle Ages, many ethical problems in science
and medicine were solved on the basis of the Shari'ah laws.
7. All amoral and non-ethical deeds were divided by Muslims
into several groups including Haram (unlawful) and Makruh (law-
120
ful, but undesirable from the Moral point of view).
8. Islam declared some restrictions in scientific researches.
For example, it forbade to prepare human corpses, since it was
considered a Haram deed.
9. There also were some restrictions in medicine. Sterilization
was prohibited in all cases. Abortion after 120 days was prohibited
by consensus in all schools except where it was for the protection
of the mother's life. There were different opinions about lawfulness
and ethical value of contraception.
10. Today, there appeared a number of new ethical problems
in science. Most of them were not known to the medieval scholars.
The modern Muslim theologists and scientists try to solve this
problems taking into account both the Islamic traditions and mod-
ern realities.
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121
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the Baku Institute of Manuscripts, B 3125/21642 (in Persian).
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Arashdirmalari, 9-cu buraxilish", Irshad Neshriyyati, Baki, 11-30, 1999
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Azerbaijani Identity", Azerbaijan International Magazine, 8.3, 48-52, 2000
ХАЛГ ТЯБАБЯТИ, ГИДАЛАНМА МЯДЯНИЙЙЯТИ
ВЯ ИСЛАМ
Шялаля Щцммятли
Ялйазмалар Институту
Мцасир тибб елминин ясасыны тяшкил едян вя тарихи олдугъа гя-
димляря эедиб чыхан халг тябабяти бяшяриййятин тяшяккцл тапмаьа
башладыьы илк дюврлярдян бу эцняъян юз фяалиййятини дайандырмадан
даим инкишафда олмуш, ясрлярин сынаьындан кечиб даща да тякмил-
ляшяряк инсанлыьын хидмятиндя дайанмышдыр. Мялумдур ки, щяр бир
инсан, юз йаранышы етибариля, юмрц бойу, доьулдуьу эцндян сонун-
122
ъу эцня - юлцм анынаъан щям шцурлу шякилдя, щям дя гейри-ихтийари
шякилдя тябабятдян файдаланмагдадыр. Беля ки, саьлам щяйат тярзи
кечирмяк вя дцзэцн гидаланма иля инсан юз-юзцнцн щякими олмаг
игтидарындадыр. Сирр дейил ки, гидаланма мядяниййяти, щяр шейдян юн-
ъя, инсан саьламлыьынын мцщафизясиня вя бярпасына хидмят едир.
"Щяля ян гядим заманлардан азяри тцркляри, Мцсялман Шяргинин
башга халглары кими, расионал гидаланма системини йаратмышдылар. Бу
систем тибб вя яъзачылыг цзря бир чох орта яср ялйазмаларында юз як-
сини тапыб.
Гейд едяк ки, ясасян, яряб вя фарс дилляриндя йазылмыш бу дя-
йярли ясярлярдян бязиляринин ялйазмалары щал-щазырда АМЕА-нын Мя-
щяммяд Фцзули адына Ялйазмалар Институтунда мцщафизя олунур.
Щямин ялйазмалар вя чохсайлы диэяр мянбяляр институтда фяалиййят
эюстярян дяйярли алимляр Н.Эюйцшов, Ф.Ялякбярли вя б. тяряфиндян
арашдырылмыш, нятиъядя гиймятли тяръцмяляр вя тядгигат ясярляри
гялямя алынмышдыр (бах: "Халг тябабятинин изи иля" (Н.Эюйцшов), Ба-
кы, 1987; "Шярг тябабяти вя милли хюрякляримиз" (Ф.Ялякбярли, Бакы,
1994), "Тысяча и один секрет Востока" (Фарид Алекперов, Ба-
ку, 2002, вя с.).
"Шярг тябабяти вя милли хюрякляримиз" (Ф.Ялякбярли, 1994) адлы
китабын юн сюзцндя мцяллиф йазыр: "Орта яср Азярбайъан гидаланма
консепсийасына ясасян гида мящсулларындан цч истифадя етмя цсулу
вардыр: сечмя, мящдудиййят вя таразлашдырма цсуллары. Биринъиси, щяр
йейиля билян мящсулу йемязляр. … Мящдудиййят цсулуна ясасян,
щяр бир йейинти мящсулу йалныз мцяййян мигдарда истифадя едиляркян
файдалыдыр. Дащи Азярбайъан мцтяфяккири Низаминин йаздыьы кими
"…Бир инъи сафлыьы варса да суда, артыг ичиляндя дярд верир су да". Бя-
зи гида мящсулларынын мянфи тясирлярини арадан эютцрмяк цчцн онлары
таразлашдырма цсулу иля башга йейинти мящсуллары иля гарышдырыблар"
(бах: "Шярг тябабяти вя милли хюрякляримиз", сящ.3-4).
Зяннимизъя, бу 3 цсулу, яслиндя саьламлыьын кешийиндя да-
йанан дцзэцн гидаланманын 3 гызыл гануну кими дя дяйярляндирмяк
олар. Биринъи "ганун"у нязярдян кечиряк. "Щяр йейиля билян мящсулу
йемязляр". Илк нювбядя, йадымыза мцгяддяс китабымыз "Гурани-
Кярим"дя ("Маидя" суряси, 3-ъц айя) йейилмяси йасаг едилянляр,
123
щарам буйуруланлар, (хцсусиля, донуз яти) йада дцшцр. Инсанлара бу
гадаьа даща юнъя "Инъил"дя дя хябяр верилмишди: "Онларын ятини йе-
мяйин вя лешляриня тохунмайын, онлар сизин цчцн мурдардылар"
("Инъил", "Левит" китабы, 11; 8).
Гейд едяк ки, мцасир тибб елми чохсайлы арашдырмалар нятиъя-
синдя бу илащи гадаьанын ясл мащиййятини, щикмятини айдынлашдыра бил-
мишдир. Мялум олмушдур ки, донуз ятиндя трихинелла паразитляри йаша-
йыр. Трихинеллйоз хястялийинин тюрядиъиляри олан бу паразитляр ися ня
йцксяк, ня дя алчаг температурда мящв олурлар. Еляъя дя енсефалит
(баш бейин илтищабы) хястялийи дя донузлардан вирусла кечир (бах:
"Гороскоп" гязети, 16-30 нойабр, 2003). Эюрцндцйц кими, Уъа Йа-
радан, йаратдыьы варлыглар ичярисиндя шяряфляндирдийи инсана эюндяр-
дийи сямави китабларла онун саьламлыьына вя хиласына йол эюстяр-
мишдир. Щарам буйуруланлар ичярисиндя инсанын щям физики, щям дя
рущи саьламлыьынын позулмасына эятириб чыхаран шярабы ися Пей-
ьямбяр яфяндимиз (с.я.с) "эцнащларын мяъмусу" адландырмышдыр.
Бязян шярабдан мцяййян хястяликлярин мцалиъясиндя дярман
васитяси кими истифадя етмяйя ъящд едилир. Лакин сон нятиъядя бу
васитянин саьламлыьа эятириб чыхармасы мцмкцнсцздцр. Чцнки шяфа
верян Аллащ-тяаладыр. Онун (с.с.) щарам буйурдугларында ися шяфа
йохдур. Беля бир щядис вар: "Суид ибн Тариг пейьямбярдян (с.я.с.)
ички ичмяк щаггында сорушду. Пейьямбяр (с.я.с.) ичкини нящй етди.
Суид деди: "Ондан дярман дцзялтмяк неъя?" Пейьямбяримиз бу-
йурду: "Инняща даув, ляисят бидяваин" (Ички дярддир, дява дейилдир)
(бах: Ф.Гурбансой, "Ирфани рямзляр: мей". "Бизим яср" гязети, 26
йанвар, 2003).
Мцасир дюврдя чох дябдя олан, ясасян, идманла баьлы мяш-
щур бир дейим вар: "Саьлам бядяндя, саьлам рущ олар". Саьлам бя-
дян ися йалныз физики тямринлярля, идманла дейил, саьлам щяйат тярзи,
тямиз гида вя щалаллыгла мцмкцндцр. Йалныз биоложи, сосиал дейил,
щям дя космик варлыг олдуьуну унутмайан, юз енержи пайыны, йалныз
мадди гидаларла дейил, даща чох Йарадана (с.с.) итаят вя ибадятля
ала биляъяйини дярк едян щяр бир шяхс саьлам юмцр сцря биляр.
Тясадцфи дейил ки, ислам аляминдя щикмят вя шяфа мянбяйи
олан "Гурани-Кярим"дян, еляъя дя Мящяммяд (с.я.с.) Пейьям-
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