14.3.1 LOCOMOTOR / MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM, ‘idhaam & ‘adhalaat

The skeleton has three main functions of support, movement, and protection. It was mentioned in the Qur’an as bones, ‘adhm. Muscles are mentioned in the Qur'an as meat, lahm. Organs are used for worship, work, aggression, and sinning. Wudhu involves washing exposed organs of the body: the face, hands, forearm, leg, ear, mouth, nose, and hair. 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 sophisticated human hand is responsible for the advanced human civilization by making tools. The upper and forearms are levers to position the hand. The human upright posture allows use of upper limb free for manipulation. Control of posture and movement in humans is very advanced to enable upright walking. The musculo-skeletal system act as levers and pulleys with a mechanical efficiency higher than that of man-made machines. Continuous movement and exercise of the musculo-skeletal system is a physiological necessity for growth in infants and to prevent disuse atrophy. Salat is physical exercise repeated five times a day. The Prophet engaged in physical exercise and Omar Ibn al Khattab encouraged physical sports. Physical exercise is best undertaken while doing some work that is useful for the community. The human facial muscles are  used in both verbal and non-verbal communication. Body language and body posture can convey very sophisticated messages and emotions. The vocal apparatus, the mouth, the tongue, pharynx, and the larynx, help in producing noises that may be happiness, anger, or fear. They also produce words that have enabled humans have the most sophisticated language and enable recitation of the Qur’an in a sweet voice.

14.3.2 SURFACES AND MEMBRANES

The Qur’an described skin as a site of punishment because of the sensory function. It also described psychological and physiological reaction of the skin to mention of the name of Allah. The skin will on the last day bear witness because it is used in sinful activities. The functions of the skin are: protection against mechanical injury, excretion through sweat, sensory input, temperature regulation, immune protection, protection against UV rays. Skin color is controlled by 4 pairs of genes. Chemically and optically, it is the melanin in the epidermis and the blood vessels in the dermis that define skin color. The density of melanocytes in the skin does not differ between darker and lighter races. Darker races have more active melanin production than lighter races. The primary purpose of melanin is to protect the skin against cosmic radiation especially ultra-violet radiation. Skin whorls and patterns are unique for each individual. The probability of two individuals having the same pattern is very low. Serous membranes allow smooth movement of organs and play a role in immune protection. Human nails unlike those of animals do not play a significant role in self-defense against attack. They are however used to scratch the skin and to improve grip for some small objects. Tears, sweat, and sebum play non roles in non specific immune protection. The number, size, and depth of melanin particles determine the color of hair from black to blonde. White hair has no melanin. Red hair has iron-rich pigment. Straightness and curliness of hair of hair depend on the shape of the pit of the follicle (straight sharply curved) or shape of hair shaft (round or oval). The pattern of baldness is under genetic control. Hair is part of female beauty.

14.3.3 THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Functions of hormones are morphogenesis, hemostasis, metabolic regulation, and functional integration. The human hormonal system plays a major part in the flight/fight preparation. Modern sedentary humans have the same hormonal reactions as ancient hunters bit do not face the same physical stresses and risks. The hormonal cascade refers to the chain of command and control with ultimate central control in the hypothalamus. The flow of information is as follows: environmental signal, CNS, limbic system, hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, target organ, ultimate hormone, and systemic effects. The final hormone acts by negative feed-back on the hypothalamus, pituitary, and even the central nervous system.

14.3.4 THE IMMUNE DEFENCE SYSTEM

Immune defense is recognition and elimination on non-self (foreign) material. Immune defense may be cellular or humoral. Psycho-neuroimmunological research is uncovering what empirical observation has always shown that psychological factors such as stress affect susceptibility to disease.

14.3.5 HEMOSTASIS

The Qur’an mentioned blood as ddam. The chief function of blood is transport. It is also a buffer. The purpose of the hemostatic system is to maintain the integrity of the closed circulatory system in case of vessel rupture.