Analysis of the Objection: Did the Prophet ﷺ Learn Medicine from Hārith ibn Kalda?

❀ Introduction to Hārith ibn Kalda​

Hārith ibn Kalda was a renowned physician of the 6th century, hailing from the tribe of Thaqīf in Ṭāʾif. According to some historical accounts, he studied at the Gundeshapur medical academy in Persia, which was known for its synthesis of Greek, Indian, and Persian medical traditions.


Reference:
M. Z. Siddiqi, Studies in Arabic and Persian Medical Literature, Calcutta University, 1959, pp. 6–7

❀ Historical Importance of Gundeshapur​

Some historians argue that the connection between Islamic medicine and Greek medical philosophy was fostered more by Sasanian-era Gundeshapur than by Alexandria, as Gundeshapur was at its peak when Islam emerged.


Reference:
H. Bailey (ed.), Cambridge History of Iran, vol. 4, Cambridge University Press, 1975, p. 414

❀ The Claim: Did the Prophet ﷺ Learn Medicine or Embryology from Hārith?​

A few modern writers propose that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ acquired knowledge of embryology or Greek medical thought (from Aristotle or Galen) through Hārith ibn Kalda.


Reference:
A. A. Khairallah, Outline of Arabic Contributions to Medicine, American Press, Beirut, 1946, p. 22

❀ Critical Analysis of the Claim​

There is no authentic or reliable historical narration proving that the Prophet ﷺ consulted Hārith for medical knowledge.
The burden of proof lies with the claimant, yet no credible primary source confirms such an interaction—especially with respect to embryological knowledge.


The Prophet ﷺ was recognized as "al-Ṣādiq" (the Truthful) and "al-Amīn" (the Trustworthy) even by his enemies.


Reference:
Martin Lings, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources, Islamic Texts Society, 1983, p. 34


He consistently refused wealth, power, and falsehood, choosing instead to endure persecution for conveying the divine message.


Reference:
W. Montgomery Watt, Muhammad at Mecca, Oxford, 1953, pp. 52–79


The existence and status of Gundeshapur as a medical institution is disputed. Modern scholarship suggests that solid evidence for such a medical school is lacking.


References:

• David C. Lindberg, The Beginnings of Western Science, University of Chicago Press, 1992, pp. 164–165
• Roy Porter, The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of Humanity, Fontana Press, 1999, p. 94

Renowned scholars like Manfred Ullmann and Franz Rosenthal question whether Hārith was even a historically real figure, suggesting his persona may be largely mythical or literary.


Reference:
M. Ullmann, Die Medizin im Islam, Leiden, 1970, pp. 19–20


Sūrah al-Mu’minūn, which discusses the stages of human embryonic development, was revealed in Makkah. A meeting between the Prophet ﷺ and Hārith would only have been possible after the conquest of Ṭāʾif, which occurred later in Madīnah period.


Reference:
The Qur’an: A New Translation, Oxford University Press, 2005, p. 215


According to some historical records, Hārith ibn Kalda accepted Islam and became a Companion of the Prophet ﷺ.


References:

• William Charles Brice, An Historical Atlas of Islam, Brill, 1981, p. 355
• Abubakr Asadulla, Islam vs. West: Fact or Fiction?, iUniverse, 2009, p. 76

The allegation of the Prophet ﷺ copying medical ideas is nullified by the inimitability (iʿjāz) of the Qur’an in both language and knowledge—which remains unchallenged even today.


Reference:
Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Rusul wa al-Mulūk, Leiden, 1879–1901, p. 1116


The supposed connection between Hārith and Greek medical tradition remains historically unverified. His alleged influence on Islamic teachings, especially the Qur’an, is not supported by trustworthy sources.


Reference:
Plinio Prioreschi, A History of Medicine, 2001, p. 369

✿ Conclusion​

Upon critical examination of all historical, textual, and academic sources, the claim that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ derived embryological or medical knowledge from Hārith ibn Kalda is baseless and speculative.

• There is no authentic historical proof of such interaction.
• The moral integrity of the Prophet ﷺ and the scientific precision of the Qur’an further reject such attributions.
• Hārith’s own historical existence and influence remain uncertain and unverified.

Thus, the objection fails both historically and logically, and reflects a misguided attempt to undermine the divine origin of the Qur’ān and the prophetic mission of Muḥammad ﷺ.