بسم الله والحمد لله
والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد
The snake and snake venoms have stimulated the mind and
imagination of humankind since the beginning of records about society. No
animal has been more worshipped yet more cast out, more loved yet more despised
than the snake. The essence of the fascination with fear of the snake lies
within the creature’s venom. Snakes have been used for worship, magic potions
and, medicine, and they have been the symbol of love, health, disease,
medicine, pharmacy, immortality, death and even wisdom. In the Sumer
civilization (B.C. 2350-2150), designs with 2 snakes appeared. In Greek
mythology (B.C. 2000-400), statues of Asclepius (“god” of Medicine), with “Caduceus”,
and his daughter Hygeia (“goddess” of Health), holding a snake and bowl, were
created as symbols for medicine and health, respectively. A kind of Caduceus (1
snake and 1 staff) has been used as a symbol by the World Health Organization
(WHO) and a snake and bowl as a symbol of pharmacies in Europe. Snakes have
also been worshipped by the Hindus. In ancient Egypt, snake designs were used
in hieroglyphs. In China, dried bodies of about 30 species of snakes are still
using as Chinese medicines.
These symbols and its variants are largely found in the
Pharmacies and medical places like hospitals and clinics:
1. The serpent of Epidaurus on
the staff of Aesculapius (Asclepius):
Aesculapius was one of the Greek “gods” of medicine and
is often depicted holding a staff with a snake coiled around it. The snake has
represented wisdom, immortality and healing in a lot of cultures long before
its association to ancient Greece.
2. The bowl of Hygeia with the
serpent of Epidaurus:
This is a variation of the previous symbol. Hygeia was
Aesculapius’s daughter and a “goddess” of health (“Hygiene”). Hygeia was often
pictured holding a cup with a snake coiled about her body or arm.
3. The Caduceus
The two snakes on a staff has been adopted in the West as
a symbol of medicine (not pharmacy) since the 19th century and has likely
stemmed from the other two, older symbols. The staff is depicted with wings and
is that of Mercury (Roman) or Hermes (Greek), the messenger of the “gods”.
﴿سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ
عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا﴾
{Glorified and High be He!
From `Uluwwan Kabeeraa (the great
falsehood) that they say.} [Surah al-Israa (17): 43]
Rather, Allaah is al-Shaafee (Curer), who {…when I am ill, it is He who cures me} [Surah
al-Shu`araa’ (26): 80]
Rather, “You (O Allaah!)
are the Great Curer. There is no cure except through You. Cure (him/her), a
cure that leaves no disease.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]
Shaikh Muhammad `Alee Farkoos*
حفظه الله
said:
Fifth: The Muslim doctor, pharmacist, and other than them
should remove and abstain from placing all (types of) medical symbols and stuff
- which have the potential of corrupting the `Aqeedah or have links to the
pagan philosophy – either on the (glass) walls, signboards, (prescription)
papers, stamps, means of transports (ambulance). Included in this is also the “Red
Cross” which is similar to the Christian symbol of the cross and it is from the
worst form of Kufr and the detestable form of Shrik (associating partners with
Allaah). Allaah تعالى
said:
﴿لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ
قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّـهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَاثَةٍ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّا إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ﴾
{Surely, disbelievers are
those who said: “Allaah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is
no ilaah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilaah (God
-Allaah).} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 73]
This also includes the symbol on the pharmacies of the
snake coiled around a cup, because in the religion of the Greek and Romans, the
snake represents the “god” of medicine which bestows health and wellbeing.
Similarly, all the symbols which opposes Tawheed and Sincerity towards Allaah and
corrupts the Muslim `Aqeedah (Creed) should be shunned.”
[Adapted from the book, “نصيحة إلى الطبيب
المسلم” (Advice to the Muslim Doctor), pg.9:]
Also know that from that which causes deficiency in
Tawheed is extreme reliance upon the means, such as the doctor, the medicine
and other things, while not placing ultimate reliance upon Allaah. What is
correct according to the Islaamic-legislation is that effort should be made to
use the means, like seeking cures and sustenance, but the heart should be
reliant upon Allaah and not the means.
Shaikh Ahmad Bazmool said: No one speaks ill of Shaikh
Farkoos except an innovator. ]
And Allaah is the One who grants success.
