In some ahadith, it is mentioned that cow meat causes disease, whereas this is against medical science.
First Point
There are various ahadith narrated from different companions regarding cow meat, among which the hadiths of Malika bint Amr and Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with them) are noteworthy.
The words of the hadith of Malika bint Amr are:
أَلْبَانُهَا شِفَاءٌ، وَسَمْنُهَا دَوَاءٌ، وَلَحْمُهَا دَاءٌ
Reference: Musnad Ibn al-Ja'd: 2683
Translation: The milk of the (cow) is healing, its butter is medicine, and its meat is disease.
The words of the hadith of Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) are:
عَلَيْكُمْ بأَلْبَانِ الْبَقَرِ وَسُمْنَانِهَا، وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَلُحُومَهَا؛ فَإِنَّ أَلْبَانَهَا وَسُمْنَانَهَا دَوَاءٌ وَشِفَاءٌ، وَلُحُومَهَا دَاءٌ
Reference: Mustadrak Hakim: 8475
Translation: You must hold firmly to the milk and butter of the cow and avoid its meat, because its milk and butter are medicine and healing, and its meat is disease.
Second Point
Most hadith scholars have declared these two ahadith weak in terms of chain of narration. Among those who called them weak are Imam Zarkashi, Hafiz Ibn Hajar, and Imam Sakhawi.
References:
Reference: Al-Tadhkirah fi al-Ahadith al-Mashhoorah by al-Zarkashi (p. 148), Al-Imta' bil-Arba'in al-Mutabayyinah al-Sama' by Ibn Hajar (p. 100), Al-Maqasid al-Hasanah by al-Sakhawi (722), (863)
Third Point
When it has been established that the mentioned hadiths are weak in terms of their chain of narration, then no contradiction remains because to prove a contradiction between two things, it is necessary that both be established. Here, since the hadith is not established, the question of contradiction does not arise.
Fourth Point
Some scholars have also called the hadith weak due to its clear conflict with the Quran and authentic hadith. They say that the Quran has declared the meat of the cow lawful, and nothing that causes disease and harm can be made lawful. Similarly, it is established in hadith that the Prophet ﷺ sacrificed a cow, and how can it be possible to sacrifice something that causes disease? This proves that this hadith is weak because it is clearly opposed to the Quran and hadith, even before medical science.
References:
Reference: Liqaa al-Bab al-Maftooh by Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (Meeting Number: 182)
Fifth Point
Some hadith scholars, such as Sheikh Albani, have also classified this hadith as authentic. According to them, the meaning of the hadith is that eating cow meat excessively causes illness, or this statement is meant for people living in dry regions like Makkah and Madinah. This is because cow meat is dry in nature, so if people in dry areas eat cow meat, it will increase the dryness in their bodies. And Allah knows best.
References:
Reference: Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah by Albani (1533) (1943), Silsilat al-Huda wa al-Noor by Albani (Tape: 236), Al-Minhaj fi Shu'ab al-Iman by Al-Hilimi (2/31)
Sixth Point
If the words of the hadith are carefully considered, there is nothing in it that contradicts the Quran, Sunnah, or any scientific fact because the hadith does not say that cow meat is absolutely harmful or causes illness, but rather it says it causes illness compared to its milk and butter, which implies that cow meat is less beneficial compared to its milk and butter.
Seventh Point
As far as being against science is concerned, today's medical science also acknowledges that while beef is a major source of protein for the body, it also causes an increase in the body's cholesterol, which creates blockages in the veins, affecting blood flow in the body, resulting in high blood pressure and heart diseases. Today, science recognizes that white meat is more beneficial compared to red meat.
Summary of the Matter
The summary is that if the hadith is considered weak, then there is no question of conflict with medical science, and even if it is considered authentic, it can be interpreted in such a way that no conflict remains.
Moreover, testing the noble hadiths against the ever-changing observational and experimental knowledge of science is not a scholarly approach.
