Medicine

From Bahai9

1 Topics
2 General reference
3 Writings on
4 Importance and significance of Bahá'ís studying
5 Faith not to be associated with one field of medicine
6 Need to have deep knowledge of old school of medicine to understand instructions in a Tablet to a Physician
7 Correlation of medical science's development and spiritual awakening
- 7.1 Medical Science Will Greatly Improve with the Spiritual Awakening of Man
8 Responsibility of individual toward utilizing
9 God gives healing, but through doctors
10 Spiritual and material healing
11 Methods of medical study
12 Specific fields
13 Medical procedures
14 See also

Topics

General reference

"The Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh are many. The precepts and teachings they contain are universal, covering every subject. He has revealed scientific explanations ranging throughout all the realms of human inquiry and investigation--astronomy, biology, medical science, etc....He wrote lengthy Tablets upon civilization, sociology and government. Every subject is considered."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 155)

Writings on

Baha'u'llah's Tablet to a Physician, etc.

Importance and significance of Bahá'ís studying

The Science of Medicine is Extremely Useful

"Thou shouldst endeavour to study the science of medicine. It is extremely useful and serveth as the greatest instrument for the dissemination of the Cause. It is absolutely imperative that thou acquire this bounty. Strive day and night that thou mayest become highly qualified in this science. And when thou wishest to dispense treatment, set thy heart toward the Abha Kingdom, entreating divine confirmations."

(From a Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá to an individual believer: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 961)

Powers Released by Bahá'u'lláh Destined to Reveal Themselves Through Instrumentality of His Followers

"These investigations you have so painstakingly pursued in the field of medical science, and on a subject which is still puzzling the minds of all the leading scientists in the world, cannot but be of a captivating interest and of a great value to all medical research workers.

"It is significant that you as a believer should have undertaken a work of this nature, as we all know that the powers released by the Manifestation of Bahá'u'lláh in this day are destined, in the course of time, to reveal themselves through the instrumentality of His followers, and in every conceivable field of human endeavour.

"That you should increasingly prove, through your confirmed researches in the domain of medicine, to be one of those instruments, is the fervent hope of our beloved Guardian."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 29, 1938, in Lights of Guidance, no. 969)

Service is Prayer

"This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer. A physician ministering to the sick, gently, tenderly, free from prejudice and believing in the solidarity of the human race, he is giving praise."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, 1972 ed., p. 177, in Lights of Guidance, no. 967)

(See also nutrition for the need to study)

Faith not to be associated with one field of medicine

(See Health, Healing, and Nutrition, no. 84, 85, 86)

Need to have deep knowledge of old school of medicine to understand instructions in a Tablet to a Physician

"The Tablet to a Physician was addressed to a man who was a student of the old type of healing prevalent in the East and familiar with the terminology used in those days, and He addresses him in terms used by the medical men of those days. These terms are quite different from those used by modern medicine, and one would have to have a deep knowledge of this former school of medicine to understand the questions Bahá'u'lláh was elucidating."

(In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 18 December 1945 to an individual believer; quoted in Health, Healing, and Nutrition, no. 61)

"The human being cannot remain in one condition: different maladies occur which have each a special remedy. The skillful physician does not give the same medicine to cure each disease and each malady, but he changes remedies and medicines according to the different necessities of the diseases and constitutions. One person may have a severe illness caused by fever, and the skilled doctor will give him cooling remedies; and when at some other time the condition of this person has changed, and fever is replaced by chills, without doubt the skilled doctor will discard cooling medicine and permit the use of heating drugs. This change and alteration is required by the condition of the patient and is an evident proof of the skill of the physician."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 20)

Correlation of medical science's development and spiritual awakening

Medical Science Will Greatly Improve with the Spiritual Awakening of Man

"Abdu'l-Bahá does often state that the medical science will much improve. With the appearance of every Revelation a new insight is created in man and this in turn expresses itself in the growth of science. This has happened in past dispensations and we find its earliest fruits in our present day. What we see however is only the beginning. With the spiritual awakening of man this force will develop and marvelous results will become manifest."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, January 14, 1932: Selections from Bahá'í Writings on Some Aspects of Health, Healing, Nutrition and Related Matters, April 1984, p. 10, in Lights of Guidance, no. 972)

Responsibility of individual toward utilizing

Consult competent physicians when ill

"Resort ye, in times of sickness, to competent physicians; We have not set aside the use of material means, rather have We confirmed it through this Pen, which God hath made to be the Dawning-place of His shining and glorious Cause."

(Bahá'u'lláh: Kitáb-i-Aqdas, K. 113, in Lights of Guidance, no. 923)

Decree of Bahá'u'lláh Consult Competent Doctor

"According to the explicit decree of Bahá'u'lláh one must not turn aside from the advice of a competent doctor. It is imperative to consult one even if the patient himself be a well-known and eminent physician. In short, the point is that you should maintain your health by consulting a highly-skilled physician."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 156, No. 135, in Lights of Guidance, no. 945)

However Critical and Hopeless Consult and Follow Treatment of Competent Physician

"As regards Miss ... Shoghi Effendi feels unspeakably grateful for all the kind assistance you have been continually extending to her father in this assuredly heart-rending, nay indeed calamitous situation facing him. You did certainly well, however critical and hopeless his daughter's case may have been considered by the doctors, to advise him to take her to a hospital, and give her the best treatment medical science could possibly offer. In doing so you have acted in full conformity with the counsel so tenderly and repeatedly given by Bahá'u'lláh that in case of illness one should invariably consult and follow the treatment of competent and conscientious physicians."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, June 18, 1939: Selections from Bahá'í Writings on Some Aspects of Health and Healing, June 1974, p. 7, in Lights of Guidance, no. 938)

To Seek Medical Treatment and Obey the Doctor is a Divine Ordinance

"It is incumbent upon everyone to seek medical treatment and to follow the doctor's instructions, for this is in compliance with the divine ordinance, but, in reality, He Who giveth healing is God."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 156, in Lights of Guidance, no. 959)

One Must Obey Command of God and Submit to Medical Opinion

"One must obey the command of God and submit to medical opinion. Thou hast undertaken this journey to comply with His command and not for the sake of healing, since healing is in the hand of God, not in the hand of doctors."

(From a Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá to an individual believer: Selections from Bahá'í Writings on Some Aspects of Health, Healing, Nutrition and Related Subjects, op. cit., in Lights of Guidance, no. 960)

The Sick Must Refer to a Skilled Doctor

"...thou hast written about thy poor sight. According to the explicit divine text the sick must refer to the doctor. This decree is decisive and everyone is bound to observe it. While thou art there thou shouldst consult the most skilled and the most famed eye specialist."

(From a Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá to an individual believer: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 962)

Doctors Versed in Medical Science Can Treat Case Better Than Loving Mothers

"...He fully sympathizes with you in this great sorrow that has afflicted you. At such occasions, the true servants of God should be resigned and try to act wisely, using at the same time all available means to help their loved one who is in distress and is suffering from illness.

"Bahá'u'lláh tells us that in case of disease we should pray but at the same time refer to competent physicians, and abide by their considered decisions. Shoghi Effendi wishes you therefore to find whether your son has really become ill, and if he is, then follow the directions of the doctor. Being versed in the medical sciences they can treat better than even a loving mother can. You can render your assistance by praying for him and at the same time helping the physicians to treat him."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, April 9, 1933: Selections from Bahá'í Writings on Some Aspects of Health and Healing, pp. 5-6, in Lights of Guidance, no. 968)

Free or even should, if advisable, avail ourselves of psychiatry (despite potential for imperfections)

"There is nothing in our teachings about Freud and his method. Psychiatric treatment in general is no doubt an important contribution to medicine, but we must believe it is still a growing rather than a perfected science. As Bahá'u'lláh has urged us to avail ourselves of the help of good physicians Bahá'ís are certainly not only free to turn to psychiatry for assistance but should, when advisable, do so. This does not mean psychiatrists are always wise or always right, it means we are free to avail ourselves of the best medicine has to offer us."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, June 15, 1950, in Lights of Guidance, no. 957)

No Objection to One Seeing a Psychiatrist

"As regards your seeing a psychiatrist: There is no objection to your trying this form of treatment if your physician recommends it, and any intelligent doctor would never be prejudiced against the Faith through the difficulties incurred by a patient due to illness.

"There is no object in over-taxing your will power and strength by forcing yourself to do things for the Cause. You should let your mind rest in the thought of the infinite love, mercy and forgiveness of Bahá'u'lláh, and cease to fret about whether you are or are not doing your share until you fully recover your health--and evidently you already are on the road to recovery!"

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 26, 1945, in Lights of Guidance, no. 951)

Believers Should Seek Help and Advice of Experts--The Teachings Say Nothing About Eating Meat or Fish

"In matters of health, particularly regarding diet and nutrition, the House of Justice advises the friends to seek the help and advice of experts and doctors. This is what Bahá'u'lláh has recommended and He does not indicate which school of thought or practice they should belong to. However, as you particularly ask about references in the Old Testament as they relate to meat and fish, the House of Justice has asked us to quote for you the following excerpt taken from a letter written on behalf of the beloved Guardian by his secretary to an individual believer:

'...there is nothing in the teachings about whether people should eat their food cooked or raw; exercise or not exercise; resort to specific therapies or not; nor is it forbidden to eat meat.'"

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, June 19, 1977, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1017)

It is Imperative to Consult a Doctor Even if One is an Eminent Physician

"According to the explicit decree of Bahá'u'lláh one must not turn aside from the advice of a competent doctor. It is imperative to consult one even if the patient himself be a well-known and eminent physician. In short, the point is that you should maintain your health by consulting a highly-skilled physician."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 156, in Lights of Guidance, no. 965)

God gives healing, but through doctors

God Alone Has the Power to Give True Healing--Many Men Have Died of the Very Disease of Their Specialty

"All true healing comes from God! There are two causes for sickness, one is material, the other spiritual. If the sickness is of the body, a material remedy is needed, if of the soul, a spiritual remedy.

"If the heavenly benediction be upon us while we are being healed then only can we be made whole, for medicine is but the outward and visible means through which we obtain the heavenly healing. Unless the spirit be healed, the cure of the body is worth nothing. All is in the hands of God, and without Him there can be no health in us!

"There have been many men who have died at last of the very disease of which they have made a special study. Aristotle, for instance, who made a special study of the digestion, died of a gastronomic malady. Avicenna was a specialist of the heart, but he died of heart disease. God is the great compassionate Physician who alone has the power to give true healing."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Paris Talks, 1972 ed., p. 19, in Lights of Guidance, no. 966)

God has confirmed healing through material means