Islamic Weights and Measures and Their Modern Equivalents

Overview

• The study of weights, measures, and lengths in the Quran and Sunnah has been conducted by several modern researchers.
• They have provided guidelines and modern equivalents for these values.

Key Researchers

1. Mahmoud Faakhoori & Salaah ad-Deen Khawwaam
2. Muhammad Najm ad-Deen al-Kurdi
3. Ali Pasha Mubaarak
4. Muneer Hammood Farhaan al-Kubaysi
5. Muhammad al-Jaleeli
6. Muhammad Subhi al-Hallaaq
7. Shaykh Abdullah ibn Sulaymaan al-Munayyi
8. Shaykh Wahbah az-Zuhayli

Modern Equivalents of Islamic Measures

Mudd

• Definition: Equal to one and a third ratls
• Modern Equivalent: 544 grams

Saa

• Definition: Equal to four mudds
• Modern Equivalent: 2600 grams
  • The mudd was what could fill the cupped hands of an average man.

Qullah

• Definition: Known among scholars as qullah of Hajar
• Modern Equivalent: 102 kilograms
  • Calculated as 250 ratls, each ratl being 408 grams.

Dhiraa (Cubit)

• Definition: Haashimi dhiraa used in Islamic law
• Modern Equivalent: 61.2 centimeters

Meel (Mile)

• Definition: 4,000 dhiraas
• Modern Equivalent: 1,848 meters

Farsakh (Parasang)

• Definition: 3 meels
• Modern Equivalent: 5,544 meters or 12,000 steps

Bareed

• Definition: 4 farsakhs
• Modern Equivalent: 22,176 meters or 22.176 kilometers

Conclusion

• The conversion and understanding of these ancient measures into modern terms helps in the application and study of Islamic teachings.
• These equivalents allow for a better comprehension when referring to historical Islamic texts.
• "And Allah knows best."