Asian Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Theory of Arakan-e arbaa (four basic elements) as a fundamental matter of human being and its explanation: a pivotal concept of Tibb-e unani

Khan, MD. Imran^1, Rahman, Anisur², Laeeque, M. Akram³, Sheerani, F.S⁴

¹Pg scholar, department of kulliyat, ajmal khan tibbiya college, amu, aligarh

²pg scholar, department of ilmul-advia, ajmal khan tibbiya college, amu, aligarh

³pg scholar, department of moalejat, ajmal khan tibbiya college, amu, aligarh

⁴professor, department of kulliyat, ajmal khan tibbiya college, amu, aligarh

Abstract

Unani system of medicine (Tibb-e Unani) provides a holistic approach toward human health. Unani system of medicine starts the discussion of health and disease with seven umoor-e tabiyah, which are necessary for existence of human body. In umoor-e-tabiyah, arkan-e arbaa (four basic elements) exist at prime position. The arkan-e-arbaa takes part in formation of not only human body but the entire universe. It is the basic and fundamental matter, for the development of human being. These are al-ardh, al-ma’a, al-hawa, and al-naar. Of these four arakan, al-naar and al-hawaa are light while alma’a and al-ardh are heavy. These arkan-e arbaa possesses four qualities, and have four different positions in this universe. Two heavy arakan, Al-ardh and alma’a possesses barudat wa yabusat and barudat wa ratubat respectively. While the other two light arakaan, al-hawaa and al-naar posseses harat wa barudat and hararat wa yabusat respectively. All the living and non-living bodies get existence from arakaan-e arbaa and finally dissolve into it.

Keywords:

Arkan-e-arbaa, Fundamental matter, Tibb-e Unani