Read Part 1: Traditional Chinese Medicine & Prophetic Healing.
Read Part 2: A Closer Look at Traditional Chinese Medicine in Relation to Islam.

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Because the time of Prophet SAW was not that of chemical compounds being produced with modern research technology, the medicines were made of natural products. Many treatments are based on the use of vegetables, fruits and herbs. You can read about the usage of the black seed, vinegar and olive oil in Prophetic healing.

TCM has four main therapies that they use for treatment of diseases and for creating positive energy or Qi in the body. These include herbal medicine treatment (Zhong Yao), acupuncture and moxibustion (Zhen Jiu), exercises of vital energy production (Qi Gong) and therapeutic massage (Tui Na). The object of TCM is to create a healthy body through balanced energy systems flowing inside the body. Let’s consider the four therapies in relation to Islam.

Herbal Medicine

There are around 6000 substances mentioned in the earlier books of TCM to make herbal medicines for treatments. However an unusual phenomenon here is the use of animal and human substances like the cow’s gallstones or human nails or hair apart from the herbs. These are prescribed based on the four diagnostic methods of visual inspection, pulse diagnosis, smelling instinct and tongue situation. The herbs are used in combinations that can create synergy in the body and strengthen the Qi as well that may be blocked or out of balance.

These herbs are classified according to their nature, flavor and function, like the cool herbs are used to treat heat diseases, sweet herbs for harmony and specific herbs for treating coughs.

In Islam the use of herbs and fruits are the only source of creating medicine. Specific animal parts are allowed for eating which can be used in certain cures but any disgusting or heinous part is definitely not a part of Islamic medicine and this goes for human body parts which are totally prohibited. However Prophetic healing surely mentions the specifications of herbs and fruits like TCM for example herbal teas made of fenugreek, black seed, lemon or green tea leaves are a cure for cold and congestion and watermelon for cooling the inside of the body.

Acupuncture & Cupping

This is a famous TCM technique practiced all around the world where the treatment is done with needles to stimulate blood circulation in a positive manner through pricking specific acupoints in the body. These points are the channels that prompt positive energy flow.

Cupping is also a famous therapy for many kind of diseases specially muscle and joint pain. It is done through lighting a match inside a cup to make it hot and placing on specific points over the back. Prophetic healing is a pro for cupping or Hijama and the Prophet SAW has laid out its benefits as well as specified the days in which it should be performed. It is an excellent approach to detoxification of the body.

Prophetic healing does not say anything about the process of acupuncture as it was not known at the time of Prophet SAW but many Muslim scholars and medical experts of the earliest times did agree to the concept and considered it a good treatment for muscle and joint pains in the body. It has never been considered a prohibitive treatment.

Vital Energy Induction

[pullquote_left]Build positivity through prayer & supplication and also through exercise to remain active.[/pullquote_left]

Apart from medical treatments TCM also works on the aspect of continuously building up of a balanced Qi. This is very important aspect of TCM. Tai Chi and Qi Gong are some of the common practices to maintain good health and improve the quality of life through postures, balances, coordination, meditation and flexibility of the body.

Qi Gong and Taichi also deal with the spiritual aspects which require immense meditation and concentration along with dynamic movements. Inappropriate Qi therapies can be dangerous as it can affect the character and physiological aspects of a person. Prophetic medicine concentrates on building positivity in the body through prayer and supplication and also through exercise to remain active.

Therapeutic Massage

Massage is something very common in TCM and deals with extensive training of hands to reach focused movement on various areas of the body. Therapeutic massages are done using thumb presses, rubbing, percussion and stretches.

Prophetic healing promotes the usage of oil in massages like olive oil and black seed oil which has various therapeutic advantages.

Although TCM were not looked upon greatly by modern medicine, it has now become one of the alternative healing methods recommended. Prophetic healing has always focused on better health and modern medicine agrees to it. TCM and prophetic healing are not totally alike but has some similar treatments which can be used by Muslims as long as the boundaries of Islam are not crossed.

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You can take a look at the rest of our health articles here.

Sadaf Siddique
Sadaf Siddique holds a degree in Computers and a Masters in Business Administration. She is the mother of a 2-year-old boy, a part-time writer and a full-time homemaker.