İKİNCİ FEN · İKİNCİ BÂB · İKİNCİ FASIL · Birinci Madde
**Article One**
Concerning the composition and functions of the human spine.
Beloved! It is known that anatomists have stated: The spinal column has been created for numerous benefits. Its first benefit is to serve as a channel for the spinal cord, which living beings require to sustain their lives. For if all nerves terminated at the brain, the human head would need to be far larger than it is. This would impose a heavy burden on the body. As nerves must travel long distances to reach the extremities of organs, they would be susceptible to injury and severance, and their strength would diminish in drawing the limbs into place. Thus, Allah, the Exalted and Sublime, with His wisdom and grace, has poured forth the spinal cord—a piece of the brain—like molten metal, merging it into the lower part of the body, making the spine a protected channel for its flow. In this way, the distribution and arrangement of nerves around the spine have been rendered most suitable and beautiful.
Another benefit of the spine is that it serves as a protective shield for the vital organs located in front of it. Therefore, it possesses processes and projections which are called *sins*. Another benefit of the spine is that it forms the foundation and basis for the creation of the body’s bones. As has previously been stated, it is like a ship's mast. Therefore, the vertebrae are created as extremely strong and resilient.
Another benefit of the spine is that it provides the possibility for humans to stand and move, possessing an inherent strength capable of supporting itself. Consequently, the vertebrae are arranged in an orderly fashion—not as a single bone or large bone, but rather arranged in the most beautiful manner according to perfect proportion (*ahsen-i takvîm*). The joints between the vertebrae are neither so loose as to compromise their function nor so rigid as to prevent lateral movement, but rather have been created in sections accordingly.
The vertebrae that compose the spine are bones which possess channels through which the spinal cord passes. It has been observed that some vertebrae have two projections on either side of their channel. Some of these projections extend upwards and others downwards. Some vertebrae have six projections, four on one side and two on the other. Some vertebrae exhibit eight projections. One benefit of these projections is that they form connections with ligaments and ensure order between the vertebrae, where the head of one projection fits into the cavity of another, providing stability.
The spinal column’s vertebrae also possess projections beyond those mentioned, whose benefit is to provide protection from impacts and serve as a shield with their strength. These projections are hard, broad bones situated upon the length of the vertebrae. Those located on the posterior side are called *shawq* and *sanāsin*. Those located on the sides are called *ejniha* (wings). They protect the nerves, vessels, and muscles that run along the body’s length.
The wings adjacent to the ribs have a benefit: the head of the rib projects onto them and connects through their cavities. For each side has two openings, and each rib bone has two convex projections (*muhaddeb*). These vertebrae possess numerous openings besides their central opening, from which nerves emerge and enter vessels. These openings are created on either side of the spine, remaining in the rear, so that they do not need to be protected from the impact of vessels entering and exiting. If these vessels and nerves were created behind the spine, they would become weak due to the body’s natural weight and movements, and could not be bound. The projections intended for this protection are covered with moisture-containing tissue, rendering them soft and smooth so as not to cause discomfort to the flesh to which they are attached.
The reason for the projections of the joints is that they follow one another, holding firmly and binding from all sides. However, the connection in front is extremely firm, while the connection at the rear is softer. This is because bending forward is more necessary than bending backward. Thus, the vertebrae of the spine are created as if they were a single bone, fixed in place, due to their connections and bindings. Because they accept bending and flexibility, they have been created soft and pliable, suitable for movement and bending like numerous bones.
“We glorify our Lord, who creates everything with wisdom; may He be exalted above all imperfection.”