ANTISEPTIC PROPERTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE WING OF FLIES: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW INTEGRATING PROPHETIC TRADITION AND MODERN SCIENCE

Abstract

The hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reported in Sahih al-Bukhari states that if a fly falls into a drink, it should be fully submerged, as one wing carries disease and the other carries its cure. This study aims to systematically review scientific evidence regarding antimicrobial or antiseptic properties associated with flies, particularly their wings or body components. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2010–2025). A total of 16 eligible studies were analyzed. Findings indicate that flies (Diptera), particularly Musca domestica, harbor antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), bacteriophages, and symbiotic microbiota capable of inhibiting pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The evidence suggests a plausible scientific basis for antimicrobial effects, although the “wing-specific” mechanism remains underexplored. This study highlights an intersection between prophetic medicine and microbiology, warranting further experimental validation.