Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM), a centuries-old healing philosophy focused on prevention and personalised care, is gaining renewed attention as Qatar works to introduce its principles to a global wellness audience. It has been practised and highlighted at Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar.
While modern wellness trends continue to introduce new approaches to health, from biohacking and cold therapy to longevity programmes, an ancient system of medicine rooted in the Islamic world is finding renewed relevance in today’s search for balance and preventive care. TAIM, which draws from centuries of medical knowledge developed by scholars and physicians including Ibn Sina (Avicenna), is being reintroduced as a holistic approach that focuses on understanding the individual rather than simply treating symptoms.
Dr Mubaris Ahamed Tharamal, holistic health manager and TAIM specialist at Zulal Wellness Resort said the traditional system remains one of the world’s lesser-known wellness traditions despite its rich history and influence. “TAIM is one of the world’s best-kept wellness traditions. It is a holistic health system that has evolved over centuries, drawing on the medical wisdom of great physicians such as Ibn Sina,” Dr Mubaris said.
He explained that TAIM focuses on prevention, personalised care and restoring balance through nutrition, lifestyle, herbal medicine, therapeutic treatments, movement, rest and the healing power of nature. “TAIM is not simply about treating illness — it is about understanding the individual, identifying the root causes of imbalance, and empowering people to achieve lasting health through sustainable lifestyle changes,” he said.
Although traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine have gained international recognition, Dr Mubaris said TAIM has not received the same level of global awareness. “One of the reasons awareness of TAIM remains limited is that, unlike Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has not been widely promoted on the global stage,” he said.
At Zulal Wellness Resort, where Dr Mubaris practises, TAIM has been incorporated into a modern wellness setting, combining traditional knowledge with contemporary approaches to health.
He noted that one of the biggest misconceptions about TAIM is that it is only a religious practice or a collection of traditional home remedies.
“While it was developed within the rich cultural and scientific heritage of the Islamic world, TAIM is first and foremost a holistic system of health and wellbeing,” Dr Mubaris said. He added that the principles of TAIM closely align with many aspects of modern lifestyle medicine, including the importance of sleep, nutrition, physical activity, emotional wellbeing and maintaining balance in daily life.
“TAIM is not about replacing conventional medicine. Instead, it complements modern healthcare by focusing on prevention, supporting the body’s natural healing processes, and helping people make sustainable lifestyle changes,” he said.
A key element that differentiates TAIM from many modern wellness trends is its emphasis on personalised care. Rather than following a universal wellness programme, TAIM considers an individual’s temperament, known as Mizaj, along with factors such as age, environment, occupation and lifestyle.
Dr Mubaris highlighted the Six Essential Factors (Asbab-e-Sitta Zarooriya), which form the foundation of maintaining health in TAIM. These include air and environment, food and drink, physical activity and rest, sleep and wakefulness, emotional wellbeing, and the healthy elimination and retention of bodily substances.
“TAIM takes a different perspective. At its core, it recognises that every person is unique. There is no universal wellness plan that works for everyone,” he said.
According to Dr Mubaris, many guests who experience TAIM for the first time arrive with uncertainty but leave with a deeper appreciation of its approach.
“Many guests arrive curious but understandably sceptical because they have never heard of TAIM before or are unsure how a traditional system of medicine can be relevant in today’s world,” he said. He explained that guests often discover the value of personalised lifestyle changes after experiencing consultations, treatments and wellness recommendations based on their individual needs.
“One of the comments I hear most often is, ‘I wish I had known about TAIM earlier,’” he said.
Looking ahead, Dr Mubaris believes education, research and collaboration will be essential to increasing global awareness of TAIM.
He said introducing academic programmes and dedicated research institutions could help preserve this medical heritage while creating stronger scientific understanding of its principles.
“Research is the bridge that connects ancient wisdom with modern healthcare,” he said.
Dr Mubaris added that Qatar is well positioned to play a leading role in introducing TAIM to the world by combining cultural heritage with innovation.
“As a country that values innovation while preserving its cultural heritage, Qatar can become a global centre for TAIM education, research and wellness,” he said. For Dr Mubaris, the future of TAIM lies in reconnecting with traditional wisdom while applying modern knowledge.
“It is not about going backwards, it is about rediscovering timeless principles of health and validating them through education, research and contemporary practice,” he said.
