An Islamic cleric from Kerala has cooked up a bit of a storm after he has declared that the universal Red cross symbol and the Rod of Asclepius symbol used extensively in the medical field are un-Islamic.
As per a TOI report, a controversial Salafi preacher named Abdul Muhsin Aydeed, in a write-up titled, “Some Islamic Advise to Doctors”, has suggested that Muslim doctors should not use such symbols as they are against the monotheism in Islam.
This write-up was reportedly carried by a Facebook page named Alaswala, Aydeed has claimed that the red cross signifies the concept of trinity in Christians. This as per Aydeed is the worst form of polytheism and is the most detested sin in Islam.
Coming to the Rod of Asclepius (serpent-entwined rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius), he called it a belief which destroys Thouheed (monotheism), Islam’s cardinal principle and hence should be kept at arm’s length. He then urged Muslim doctors to avoid all the signs and slogans which are against Islam.
He also decided to turn his attention to female Muslim patients. He stated that Muslim women can approach Male Muslim doctors, provided they fail to find a female Muslim doctor. He also dished out instructions to Muslim doctors about their conduct in presence of Muslim women.
The Muslim male doctors were asked to either look or touch Muslim female patients, only if the situation is unavoidable. He also asked the doctors to wear gloves if he has to touch the female Muslim and stated that non-usage of gloves is only allowed in extreme situations.
Aydeed did not stop at this and even gave his opinion that, plastic and cosmetic surgery isn’t allowed in Islam as its an interference in Allah’s creation.
He in the past too has been in the news for his controversial opinions.
It was reported last year that Aydeed in a speech had urged Muslim parents not to send their kids to mainstream schools, which as per him, attempt to take them away from Allah and make them Kaffirs (Infidels).
He later urged the Muslim community to set up home schools where the kids can be taught in the pure Islamic way.
