Emulating the Bee in the Medical Research Industry from an Islamic Perspective
Sara Alattar, MS, MS4, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL and Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL; Samer Wahood, MS2, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI and Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL; Akbar Ali, MD, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Chicago, IL and Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL; Omar Hussain, DO, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL and Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL; and Mohammed Kholwadia, Darul Qasim College, Glendale Heights, IL
When we consider the development of medical treatments, we often look to the "hard sciences" for inspiration and development of these cures. However, we propose an alternative framework in which we draw, foundationally, on inspiration from our religious tradition to produce treatments that are universally beneficial. This paper highlights the industrious bee as a model paradigm for an Islamic Medical-Industrial complex.
In Sūrah al-Naḥl, the Chapter of the Bee, Allah states: “Your Lord inspires the queen bee that it should [make] homes in mountains, in trees, and in whatever hives people make. [Then He tells it] to eat from all types of fruits and navigate the pathways of your Lord, very easily. Now a drink of various hues comes out from their stomachs in which there is [a type of] healing for people. Indeed, in all of that is a great sign for all those who reflect.”
Just as the queen bee is inspired and directs the worker bees to reside in different environments and eat from all types of fresh natural produce to manufacture honey; we see the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as one who receives waḥy (divine revelation) and by following his teachings and his example, as found in the Qu’rān and Sunnah, we can reflect a society that mirrors the way of the bee.
In this paper, we propose creating an Islamic research enterprise based on an uṣūlī (principles-based) approach, in consultation and engagement with the ‘ulemā’ (scholarly class that are considered the heirs to the prophets). The uṣūlī approach, employed by the ‘ulemā’, can shed light on key elements from waḥy (divine revelation) such as the Qur’ānic exegesis of the aforementioned verse and the body of Ḥadith literature supporting it, that can serve as a starting point for Muslim investigators in the hard sciences.
Muslim researchers and scientists subscribing to the Sunni-Maturidi world view foundationally believe that ḥalāl (intrinsically pure and avoid sin, because they are informed by divine revelation) medical treatment can provide universal healing to human beings at large.
If we build an Islamic industrial complex that, for example, directs its resources to sustainably un-earth minerals, or discover therapeutic compounds from botanicals while minimizing undue harm to animal life or devastating natural habitats, can we uncover treatments that are not only self preserving, but beneficial for all?
Our model of the bee has the potential to serve as an inspiration in developing treatments that may provide universal healing—unbiased and unprejudiced towards other communities, religious traditions, and identities.
In Sūrah al-Naḥl, the Chapter of the Bee, Allah states: “Your Lord inspires the queen bee that it should [make] homes in mountains, in trees, and in whatever hives people make. [Then He tells it] to eat from all types of fruits and navigate the pathways of your Lord, very easily. Now a drink of various hues comes out from their stomachs in which there is [a type of] healing for people. Indeed, in all of that is a great sign for all those who reflect.”
Just as the queen bee is inspired and directs the worker bees to reside in different environments and eat from all types of fresh natural produce to manufacture honey; we see the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as one who receives waḥy (divine revelation) and by following his teachings and his example, as found in the Qu’rān and Sunnah, we can reflect a society that mirrors the way of the bee.
In this paper, we propose creating an Islamic research enterprise based on an uṣūlī (principles-based) approach, in consultation and engagement with the ‘ulemā’ (scholarly class that are considered the heirs to the prophets). The uṣūlī approach, employed by the ‘ulemā’, can shed light on key elements from waḥy (divine revelation) such as the Qur’ānic exegesis of the aforementioned verse and the body of Ḥadith literature supporting it, that can serve as a starting point for Muslim investigators in the hard sciences.
Muslim researchers and scientists subscribing to the Sunni-Maturidi world view foundationally believe that ḥalāl (intrinsically pure and avoid sin, because they are informed by divine revelation) medical treatment can provide universal healing to human beings at large.
If we build an Islamic industrial complex that, for example, directs its resources to sustainably un-earth minerals, or discover therapeutic compounds from botanicals while minimizing undue harm to animal life or devastating natural habitats, can we uncover treatments that are not only self preserving, but beneficial for all?
Our model of the bee has the potential to serve as an inspiration in developing treatments that may provide universal healing—unbiased and unprejudiced towards other communities, religious traditions, and identities.