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The Prophet as Physician |
We live in a world, however, where from time immemorial
obedience to the commands of the Prophets has been the exception
rather than the rule; where love of self has been a more
prevalent motive than love of God; where limited and party
interests have taken precedence of the interests of humanity as
a whole; where material possessions and sensual pleasures have
been preferred to the social and spiritual welfare of mankind.
Hence have arisen fierce competition and conflict, oppression
and tyranny, extremes of wealth and poverty—all those conditions
which breed disease, mental and physical. As a consequence,
the whole tree of humanity is sick, and every leaf on
the tree shares in the general sickness. Even the purest and
holiest have to suffer for the sins of others. Healing is needed—healing of humanity as a whole, of nations and of individuals.
So Bahá’u’lláh, like His inspired predecessors, not only
shows how health is to be maintained, but also how it may be
recovered when lost. He comes as the Great Physician, the
Healer of the world’s sicknesses, both of body and of mind.
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Healing by Material Means
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In the Western world of today there is evident a remarkable
revival of belief in the efficacy of healing by mental and spiritual
means. Indeed many, in their revolt against the materialistic
ideals about disease and its treatment which prevailed in the
nineteenth century, have gone to the opposite extreme of denying
that material remedies or hygienic methods have any value
whatsoever. Bahá’u’lláh recognizes the value of both material
and spiritual remedies. He teaches that the science and art of
healing must be developed, encouraged and perfected, so that
all means of healing may be used to the best advantage, each in
its appropriate sphere. When members of Bahá’u’lláh’s own
family were sick, a professional physician was called in, and
this practice is recommended to His followers. He says:
“Should ye be attacked by illness or disease, consult skillful
physicians.”—Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
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This is quite in accordance with the Bahá’í attitude towards
science and art generally. All sciences and arts which are for
the benefit of mankind, even in a material way, are to be esteemed
and promoted. Through science man becomes the master
of material things; through ignorance he remains their slave.
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Do not neglect medical treatment when it is necessary,
but leave it off when health has been restored. Treat disease
through diet, by preference, refraining from the use
of drugs; and if you find what is required in a single herb,
do not resort to a compound medicament. … Abstain
from drugs when the health is good, but administer
them when necessary.—Tablet to a Physician
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O seeker after truth! There are two ways of healing
sickness, material means and spiritual means. The first
way is through the use of material remedies. The second
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consists in praying to God and in turning to Him. Both
means should be used and practiced. … Moreover,
they are not incompatible, and you should accept the
physical remedies as coming from the mercy and favor
of God Who has revealed and made manifest medical
knowledge, so that His servants may profit by this kind
of treatment also.
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He teaches that, were our natural tastes and instincts not
vitiated by foolish and unnatural modes of living, they would
become reliable guides in the choice both of appropriate diet
and of medicinal fruits, herbs and other remedies, as is the
case with wild animals. In an interesting talk on healing, recorded
in Some Answered Questions (p. 298), He says in
conclusion:—
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It is therefore evident that it is possible to cure by
foods, aliments, and fruits; but as to-day the science of
medicine is imperfect, this fact is not yet fully grasped.
When the science of medicine reaches perfection, treatment
will be given by foods, aliments, fragrant fruits, and
vegetables, and by various waters, hot and cold in
temperature.
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