The mastery of human anatomy has come to represent a distinct rite of passage in the hallowed halls of the medical profession. For centuries, young medical students have been required to study the anatomy of the human body as a foundation of their medical education. Physicians may recall the nervous anticipation of initially encountering a cadaver in the dissection room, and the stress of preparing for the final practical anatomy examination. Medical students quickly learn that the one who passes the anatomy course has a high likelihood of ultimately becoming a physician. The study of anatomy for the Muslim student serves as a potential means to fulfill two distinct goals: to become a physician with knowledge of diseases and cures, and to increase one's attachment to the Creator through a deeper appreciation of the details of His creation. The challenging question that naturally arises is whether the Muslim medical student can successfully achieve these two goals during their medical education.

This translation and commentary of Imam al-Ghazali's treatise on the human anatomy provides the seeker of religious knowledge a window into Allah's creativity through the Islamic study of anatomy. The broad audience of medical students, physicians, healthcare professionals, as well as non-medical seekers of religious knowledge will likely appreciate the details of human anatomy described by Imam al-Ghazali through an Islamic lens. They will also recognize that these details reflect a distinctly different paradigm from the scientific lens of anatomy.