An Insight into the Common Ethical Perspectives in Holy

Quran and Traditional Siddha Medicine Literatures

A. Samsul Nisha Fathima, M. Tamizhamuthu,

S. Merish, V. Ponnaiya, A. Shifana Raheema, S. Sulfin Nihar

Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu,

India

Ultimate Path - Heavenly Bliss

Islam

• Holy QURAN gives complete Ethical

and religious guidelines to be

followed in day to day life.

• Holy Quran touches almost all

spheres of life style including ethics

to lead a healthy and disease free

life..

Traditional Siddha Medicine

• Traditional Siddha Indian medicine, a

Holistic system in nature has

guidelines for the well being for both

Mind and Body.

• The current scenario of diseases and

calamities of our World are due to

the deviation of our lifestyle from

Siddhars Ethi s.

Ethical guidelines – Siddha

• Traditional Siddha Indian

Medicine which has its

origin centuries back has

also documented evidences

of life style guidelines which

are very essential for

leading a health and

happier life.

Similarités between Quran & Siddha • The speciality as found in both the

Siddha literatures and holy Quran not

only share a common platform for

meditation and prayer but also for

the concept of Food as Medi i e .

• Such similarities with ethical

perspectives are highlighted in this

paper.

Ethical perspectives in Holy Quran & Siddha

Topics discussed - Quran

• Food as Medicine,

• Namaz and fasting (among the five

mandatory rituals),

• Drinking ZamZam water (a complete

panacea),

• Circumcision (which prevents

Cancer),

• Applying Surma, Henna and Miswak

(to prevent diseases of Eye, Skin and

Teeth respectively) are discussed.

Food as Medicine

• The ethical usage of food items such

as

1. Fig (relieves piles and arthritis as per both

texts),

2. Myrobalan (relieves constipation),

3. Bottle gourd (relieves diseases of the

Brain as per Quran and psychiatric

diseases as per Siddha),

4. Honey, Dates, Olive oil, Black cumin

seeds, Dry grapes, Pomegranate,

Cucumber and Garlic with relevance to

both Quran and Siddha literatures are

discussed and compared.

Food as Medicine Food Quran Siddha

DATES High Calorific value,

strengthens the body

weakened by illness or

suffering from extreme fatigue

Tonic, Nutritive, Relieves

Indigestion.

treat sexual weakness,

Demulcent,Emollient,laxative,

Aphrodiasiac, Diuretic,

Demulcent,Laxative

FIG

Prophet PBUH said eat fig for it cures piles and useful for

rheu atis

Improves blood quality,

Laxative, useful in Rheumatism

HONEY Healing property

Mild Antiseptic property

Strengthening of stomach

Eliminating Phlegm

Eye salve and mouth wash

Cures burns and scalds when

applied externally.

Has antiseptic and

Expectorant properties.

Nutritive and stimulant.

Putru honey-eye disease

Food as Medicine Food Quran Siddha

BLACK CUMIN SEEDS Prophet PBUH said ure for all ail e ts e ept death

1.few seeds of kalonjii mixed

with olive oil and dropped in

both nostrils

2.Removes obstruction from

any part of the body , expels

gases

Oil when applied or used as

nasal drops cures kapha

related headache, and rhinitis

Carminative

Anthelmintic,emmenogogue,l

actogogue,diuretic

POMEGRANATE Pomegranate and its rind

improves digestion

Stomachic, Demulcent.

GARLIC Relieves Anginal pain,

promotes digestion, Decrease

in thirst

Carminative

NAMAZ

• Pray to me and I will hear your

prayer” Quran Quran 40:60 . Namaz, Salah or Prayer is obligatory

on every Muslim man and woman

after reaching adolescence.

• In Arabic, namaz is known

as 'salaat', which is derived

from 'silaa' meaning

'meeting'.

Continued….

• Namaz postures are similar to yogic postures

and therefore namaz, while being performed

as a religious obligation, can simultaneously

give the namazee all the benefits of yoga. The

seven postures of namaz are the simplified

and condensed versions of yogic postures in

their external and internal qualities.

NAMAZ & YOGA POSTURES

• Normalizes blood pressure and

breathing, thus providing many benefits

to asthma and heart patients.

• Qiyyam position - to activate the solar

ple us hakra, or er e path a , which directs our awareness of self in

the world and controls the health of the

muscular system, skin, intestines, liver,

pancreas, gallbladder and eyes.

• a ti ate the heart hakra, - Center of

the feelings of love, harmony, and

peace

QIYYAM (Standing posture) TADASANA

RUKOO (Bowing)/

PRASARITA

PADOTTANASANA 1.Rukoo stretches the muscles of the lower

back, thighs, legs and calves, and allows blood

to be pumped down into the upper torso.

2. It tones the muscles of the stomach,

abdomen, and kidneys.

3. Prevents flabbiness in the mid-section

4. Promotes a greater flow of blood -

particularly to the head, eyes, ears, nose,

brain, and lungs

5. Maintain the proper position of the foetus in

pregnant women

1. This helps to develop level headed and

positive thinking along with a highly

motivated view of life, and maintains the

health of the lymph and skeletal systems,

the prostate, bladder, and the adrenal

glands.

2. Toning the reproductive organs.

SAJDAH(prostration)/

SHASHANKASANA

JALSA (Seated posture)/

VAJRASANA

1. It firms the toes, knees, thighs, and

legs.

2. Toning the reproductive organs.

3. Good for those prone to excessive

sleep.

4. Assists in speedy digestion, aids the

detoxification of the liver, and

stimulates peristaltic action in the

large intestine

SALAM (Spinal twist) ARDHA MATSYENDRASANA

• The throat hakra is a ti ated tur i g the head towards first the right and then

the left shoulder in the closing of the

prayer. Nerve path is linked to the throat,

neck, arms, hands, bronchials, and hearing

– effecting individual creativity and

communication.

• Therefore the person who activates these

atleast once a day can remain well

balanced emotionally,

physically,spiritually and can have long

term health benefits

FASTING

"O you who believe! Fasting is

prescribed for you just as it was

prescribed

for those before you. Perhaps

you would attain piety!

(Quran 2:183)

Fasting

Islam

• Islamic fasting is different from such

diet plans because in Ramadan

fasting, there is no malnutrition or

inadequate calorie intake. The caloric

intake of Muslims during Ramadan is

at or slightly below the national

requirement guidelines. In addition,

the fasting in Ramadan is voluntarily

taken and is not a prescribed

imposition from the physician.

Siddha Medicine

• Fasting has its own special place in

Siddha Therapeutics.

• langanam Parama Owshadham i Siddha means Fasting itself is a

Holistic treatment. It has been

Specially advocated for all 64 types of

Fever including 52 types arising out

of intrinsic factors and other 12

arising out of Extrinsic factors.

Benefits of Fasting.

Islam

• Ramadan fasting would be an ideal

recommendation for treatment of mild to

moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes,

obesity and essential hypertension.

• On the other hand, patients who are

suffering from severe diseases, whether

diabetes or coronary artery disease,

kidney stones, etc., are exempt from

fasting and should not try to fast.

Siddha

• As per the Siddha text, who should not

fast are:

Pregnant women and children.

Alcoholics and Debilitated persons.

Persons suffering from Diarrhoea and

dysentry .

Respiratory disorders.

Medical benefits of Fasting

ZAMZAM WATER

• One of the miracles of Islam is ZamZam

water and its ability to satisfy both thirst

and hunger.

• The zam zam well is located in Mecca,

which is the heart of the Hajj pilgrimage.

• Standing only a few meters east of the

Kaa a, the well is 35 meters deep and

topped by an elegant dome.

Wonders & Health benefits of ZAMZAM WATER

• ZamZam was pumped continuously for more

than 24 hours with a pumping rate of 8,000

liters per second, water level dropped to almost

44 feet below the surface, but when the

pumping was stopped, the level immediately

elevated again to 13 feet after 11 minutes.

• "Water of ZamZam is good for whatever

purpose it has been drunk. In another Hadith

the Prophet(PBUH) said "Water of ZamZam is a

healer of e er disease

Peculiarities of ZAMZAM WATER

• More recently, in the last few decades, samples of ZamZam water have been collected by scientists

and they have found certain peculiarities that make the water healthier, like a higher level of calcium.

• Four senior experts of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission have found the water of ZamZam well to

be scientifically superior to tap or solar pump water.

• Alkaline in nature, the ZamZam water can neutralise excess hydrochloric acid formed in the stomach

and reduces heartburn.

• Iodide, sulphate and nitrate contents are also much higher in the ZamZam water. Supply of iodide

through ZamZam may sufficiently fulfil the requirement of iodide for the thyroid organ of a body.

• It was revealed that contents of macro-nutrients like magnesium, sodium and potassium were

manifold higher in ZamZam water than in tap and solar pump water.

• The scientists said all the data indicated that ZamZam water had much more nutritive values than

ordinary underground water.

• The hardness of ZamZam water is four times that of tap and solar pump water but it is within the

acceptable limit set by the WHO, the researchers found.

ZAMZAM WATER and Spring water in Siddha.

Minerals Percentage

Calcium 98

Magnesium 43.7

Chloride 33.5

Iron 0.I5

Sulphur 37

Manganese 0.I5

Copper 0.I2

•Sweet in taste

•Eliminates pitham and reduces

excessive thirst

CIRCUMCISION

• Male circumcision is among the rites of

Islam and is part of the(in Arabic)fitrah,

or the innate disposition and natural

character and instinct of the human

creation.

• As-Shawkani said in his book Nayl al-

Awtar (1/184): "What the Prophet

(PBUH) means by Fitrah is that if these

characteristics are followed by a man, he

would be described as a man of Fitrah,

which Allah (s.w.t.) has gifted his servants

with, and encouraged them to follow, so

that they attain a high degree of

respectability and dignity."

Benefits of CIRCUMCISION

• "Circumcision of newborn boys (I.e., within the first month of life) brings numerous health

benefits, including:

1 – Protection against local infection in the penis.

2 – Prevents Infections of the urethra.

3 – Protection against cancer of the penis:

4 – Sexually transmitted disease (STD): Researchers found that the STDs which are transmitted via sexual

contact (usually because of fornication/adultery and homosexuality) spread more among those who are

not circumcised, especially herpes, soft chancres, syphilis, candidiasis, gonorrhoea and genital warts.

There are numerous modern studies which confirm that circumcision reduces the possibility of

contracting AIDS when compared to their uncircumcised counterparts.

5 – Protection of wives against cervical cancer. Researchers have noted that the wives of circumcised

men have less risk of getting cervical cancer than the wives of uncircumcised men.

Ethical Importance of Surma In Quran.

• Surma is called as Kohl in Tibb-Unani Medicine and Anjanakal

in Siddha Medicine. Kohl is the sufoof (fine powder), which is

applied on the eyes or to the inner surface of the eye lid, with

the help of a thin stick or either mixed with water or oil for

the base.

Kohl is the finest powder form of the medicinal preparation

used externally to strengthen the eyesight and to other eye

aliments.

• Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 5639 Narrated by Mu'adh ibn Jabal

• The Prophet (PBUH), said, "The inhabitants of Paradise will

enter Paradise hairless, beardless with their eyes anointed

with collyrium, aged thirty or thirty-three years."

• bbas

Continued….

• Surma is a greyish black coloured shiny stone which is

rubbed on the hard surface like stone or a tile.

• It is obtained from the rock which is situated in Saudi

Arabia.

• It mainly consists of mica , lead and graphite . The

Prophet (PBUH) said, "Apply antimony, for it clears the

sight a d akes the hair gro . • The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'Wear your white garments,

for they are among your best garments, and shroud

your dead in them. Among the best types of collyrium

you use is antimony (ithmid): it clears the vision and

akes the hair sprout. Sunan of Abu Dawood 3869)

Medicinal uses of Surma

Holy Quran

• Surma is of many types which is used

for medicinal purpose. Mainly it is

used in eye disease.

1.Surma /Kohl-e- abras-ham : This is

used for the treatment of allergic

conjunctivitis

2.Surma -e-Rumanun: This is a particular

surma used for Ramad (Secondary

Glaucoma- increase in the occular

pressure due to secondary lesion)

Siddha Medicine • “ur a is k o as PLUMBI

• Synonyms of Plumbi Neelanjanam , Surmakal .

• It is widely used to cure eye diseases

such as Cataract, Conjunctivitis,

Glaucoma

Continued….

Holy Quran

3. Surma-e-asha (Kohal -e-asha): This is a

particular surma used for Shabkori

(Cataract), the drugs used have a very

good property of jalli (corrosive) which

give out best result when used as

medicine after purification.

4.Surma-e-Muqhavi-e-Basar: The name

suggests that it is used for increase of the

eye sight especially during old.

HENNA

• Henna plant ( scientifically known as Lawsonia

Inermis) is well known for long time in the Arab and

Muslims world, extensively grown in India and

Sudan and used mainly for cosmetic purposes

• Hazrat Ummu Salma ‘ arrates: I the life of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH), no injury or thorn

piercing was treated on which Henna was not

applied Tirmizi, Sanad-e-Ahmed)

• Whe e er so e od a e to Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) with complaints of headache, he

directed him to undergo cupping and whosoever

complained of pain in legs, was advised to apply

He a. Bukhari,Abu Dawood)

Uses of HENNA as per Holy Quran

• Jahzma(R) the wife of Bashir Bin Khasasia (R)

arrates I sa Prophet Muha ad pbuh)

coming out of the house. He was coming after

taking bath, therefore, he was shaking his hairs.

The olour of he a as isi le o his head. (Tirmizi)

• Abi Rafai arrates, I as prese t efore Prophet(Pbuh), Passing his hand over his head

he said that the head of all dyes was henna

which ganeaglow to the face and increased the

se ual igour A u Naim)

• It has a great healing effect, it contain many

healing substances like Tannin and other Glue

like substances.

• It has anti microbial effect especially anti-viral

effect.

Henna as per Quran and Siddha Medicine

Holy Quran

• Burns

• Healing Properties

• Anti-haemorragic

• Nose Bleeding

• Anti-viral

Siddha Medicine

• Heals Wounds, sprains.

• Preventing viral diseases

• Has Astringent properties

• and De-odorant properties.

• Cures scabies, apthous

(mouth) ulcers-gargling.

MISWAK – Cleaning Teeth

• Miswak, also called siwak is used to clean teeth

like we use toothpaste to clean our teeth daily.

But the use of miswak is different from use of

tooth paste a d it s a too e efi ial to use. • A majority of people from Muslim countries use

daily to brush their teeth, is an alien thing to

most people in the Western world. Prophet

Muhammad (PBUH) laid great emphasis on

using miswak.

• The Miswak is obtained from the twigs of the

Arak, or Peelu tree. Many others varieties are in

common use, including walnut and olive.

Brushing Teeth – in Quran & Siddha

Quran. • A ordi g to Hol Qur a a d Ahadit

• surah najam- verses 2-4

• Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) said in ahadit:

Narrated Anas: Allah s Apostle I said, I ha e told you repeatedly to (use) the Siwak. (The

Prophet put emphasis on the use of the Siwak.

• Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 13 :: Hadith 13

• Narrated Abu Huraira: I sa the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was

fasti g so a ti es as I a t ou t. I ould have ordered them to clean their teeth with

Siwak on every performance of ablution

Siddha Medicine.

• Twigs useful in brushing.

1. Neem (Margosa)

2. Banyan

3. Indian Gum arabic tree

4. Rough chaff.

5. Salvadora Persica

Advantages of MISWAK

• There are 70 benefits of Miswak as known through

a ie t Isla i literature here s are so e ore common.

• Miswak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth

decay.

• It assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further

increase of decay which has already set in.

• Creates a fragrance in the mouth.

• Cure for illness and headaches. .

• Eliminates bad odours and improves the sense of taste.

• Sharpens the memory.

• Creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who

continually uses it.

• Causes the teeth to glow.

• Strengthens the eyesight.

DISCUSSION

• As students of Traditional Siddha Indian Medicine, we were fascinated by the

basic concept of Siddha Philosophy which is the part of the U.G syllabus.

• We were also able to appreciate the similarities between our Holy Quran and

Siddha Literatures, which led us to work on this particular area.

• Our work has so far as revealed similarities in basic ethical philosophies such as

FOOD as MEDICINE a d “iddha o epts ei g o par ith Isla i Lifest les.

CONCLUSION

• To conclude, whatever may be the origin of Religion, the ideas, Ethical

perspectives, Ultimate attainable goals have similarities.

• As Holy Quran and Siddha Literatures(having deep rooted philosophies of

Hinduism) have some much similarities having ethical considerations.

• The concept of oneness and Brotherhood etc., gets highlighted leading to the

need for living a harmonious life.

Acknowledgement

• My Hearty thanks to Almighty, Lovable Parents.

• My Sincere thanks to My Professor Dr. Thomas.M Walter, and his spouse.

• I would like to raise my sincere regards to my crew.

Thank You