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Lecture given to 2nd year medical students, Kulliyah of Medicine, International Islamic University, Kuantan, Pahang by Prof Dr Omar Hasan Kasule, Sr. on 3rd July 1999
OUTLINE
1.0 EXTERNAL ORGANS MENTIONED IN THE QUR'AN
Head and Neck
Upper limb
Trunk and abdomen
Lower limb
The bones
Muscles
Joints
Uses of organs
Significance of wudhu
2.0 THE UPPER LIMB & LOWER LIMB
Manipulation vs stability
The hand
The arm
Up-right walking
Fight or flight instincts
3.0 SOCIAL INTERACTION
The human facial muscles
Vocalization and language
Organs of vocalization
Larynx
Tongue
4.0 PHYSICAL EXERCISE
Need for exercise
Salat as physical exercise
The Prophet's exercise
Purpose of exercise
1.0 EXTERNAL ORGANS DESCRIBED IN THE QUR’AN
Head and Neck: The following organs were mentioned in the Qur'an: head, ra’as (2:196); cheek, khadh ( 2:19, 71:7, 8:21, 75:4); chin, dhiqn (17:107, 17:109, 36:8); neck, raqbat, (22:9, 47:4); neck, ‘unq (8:12, 111:5); and face, wajh (2:144, 75:2).
Upper limb: The following parts of the upper limb were mentioned in the Qur'an: digit (2:19, 71:7, 8:21, 75:4); elbow, mirfaq,(5:6), hand, yad (2:249, 111:1). Fingers are used to point in salat (KS p. 86), in dua (KS p. 86), and in khutbah (KS p. 86).
Trunk and abdomen: The following parts of the trunk were mentioned by the Qur'an: back, dhahr (2:101, 94:3), upper arm, ‘idhd ( 28:35); forehead, jabiin (9:35, 37:102), janb (3:191, 9:103, 9:35, 32:6)
Lower limb: The following parts of the lower limb were mentioned in the Qur'an. Leg, rijl (2:196, 5:63); shin, saaq (37:44, 75:29), and ankle, ka’ab (5:6).
Bone which is the framework of the skeleton was mentioned in the Qur'an as ‘adhm (8:12, 111:5, 17:49, 79:11). The skeleton’s functions are mainly support, movement, and protection.
Muscles are mentioned in the Qur'an as meat lahm (23:14, 49:12): Human civilisation is based on the energy produced by contractions of human and animal muscles.
Joints: A human has 360 joints (KS p.105)
Uses of organs for worship, work, aggression, sinning. Organs are used in the acts of physical worship like salay and hajj. Prostration in salat is on 17 bones (MB # 464 p 252, KS p. 274). Organs can also be misused to commit sins such as killing or stealing. Organs other than the genitalia ( eg the eye, ear, and the leg) can be accessories to the sexual crime of zina (KS p. 264, MB #2061 p 968). Organs will act as witnesses against the owner on the last day so that he or she can not deny their sins.
Significance of wudhu: The act of ablution is closely related to the external organs. Only exposed organs are washed: the face, hands, forearm, leg, ear, mouth, nose, and hair (Muslim #436, 437).
2.0 THE UPPER LIMB & LOWER LIMB
The upper limb is for manipulation and is specialized for manual dexterity. The lower limb is for posture and mobility and is specialized for weight-bearing and walking..
The hand: The sophisticated human hand is responsible for the advanced human civilisation. It is also responsible for the destruction of war and a lot of human tragedies. Humans are able to use their hands to make tools that enable them to exploit their environment more efficiently. The hands are capable of very precise movements using the small muscles of the hand (thenar eminence, hypo-thenar eminence, and the longitudinal muscles of the palm). The hand using its three types of grip (power grip, hook grip, and precision grip) can perform a wide range of actions that make human civilization the wonder that it is.
The arm: the upper and forearms are levers to position the hand. They are also capable of fine and sophisticated movements on their own.
Upright posture: Most land animals walk and support their weight on 4 limbs. Humans have an upright posture and are able to walk on the lower limbs leaving the upper limb free for manipulation. Control of posture and movement in humans is very advanced to enable upright walking. Posture-regulating system involves the central nervous system and muscles. Voluntary muscles are finely controlled (Ganong p. 185). This control is fine-tuned by the pyramidal system.
Fight or flight instincts: Humans like animals are adapted to fight or run away in case of danger.
3.0 SOCIAL INTERACTION
Facial muscles: The human facial muscles play a very important role in verbal and non-verbal communication making possible the building of a sophisticated civilisation. Facial expressions can show happiness or anger. The Prophet used to show anger on his face. He also smiled and laughed.
Hand and arms: Hands and arms are used extensively in non-verbal communication such as pointing and gesturing.
Vocalisation and language: are necessary for human social interaction. They are based on movements of muscles and skeletal parts. The vocal muscles help in producing noises that may be happiness, anger, or frightening. The main organs of vocalisation (mouth, pharynx, and larynx) produce voice for communication. The recitation of the Qur’an in a sweet voice (Muslim #1728, 1730, 1732, 1734, 1735) is made possible by these organs. The vocal cords of the larynx, hanjara (33:10, 40:18) & hulqum (56:87) vibrate to produce laryngeal sound. The larynx controls loudness, pitch, and quality of sound. The mouth, the pharynx, and the nasal cavities modify the laryngeal sounds. The changing shape of the tongue, lisaan (5:78, 90:8-9) controls air flow producing different sounds. By changing position the tongue varies the size and shape of the buccal cavity which acts as a resonator.
4.0 PHYSICAL EXERCISE
Continuous movement and exercise of the musculo-skeletal system is a physiological necessity for growth in infants and to prevent disuse atrophy.
Adults must exercise their muscles to build strength. Physical strength is needed for work and also for jihad. The Prophet (PBUH) was physically very string and and had strength equivalent to that of 30 men (KS 481). The Prophet Musa was also known for his physical strength that he used to defend his people and help the weak.
Salat as physical exercise that is repeated five times a day. Nafila prayers are an additional opportunity. Salat exercises most muscle groups. Although we say that salat has the benefit of physical exercise, we should not forget that this is not its only or even most important reason. Salat is first and foremost ibadat that is carried out for the pleasure of Allah.
The Prophet exercised by wrestling as a young man. He used to race against his wife Aishah. The Prophet used to walk in haste, harwalat (KS 483). While in his house the prophet used to help with domestic chores (KS 482). He is reported to have climbed mount Uhud (KS 497).
The prophet allowed the Ethiopians to play with their swords on the occasion of eid (KS 407)
Omar Ibn al Khattab encouraged youths to play games that give them strength such as horse riding, and swimming.
Horse riding was encouraged as an exercise (KS 224).
Archery was mentioned by the Prophet as a favored sport (KS 172).
Physical exercise is best undertaken to build muscle strength, promote good health, and undertake some work that is useful for the community. It does not make much sense to exercise just for the sake of exercising. A participatory sport is preferred to spectator sports because of the physical involvement.