# Health and Healing

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Parashtu Meidany, Health and Healing, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> Health and Healing
> 
> 2002 – Port Elizabeth
> 
> Parashtu Meidany
> 
> The following information is based purely on the writings of ‘Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdul-Bahá,
> and Shoghi Effendi. Most of them are authorized translations but some, compiled by the
> Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, are only provisional translations.
> Attached to this document is the handout with references for this talk. 1
> 
> Another thing I would like to mention is that a lot of the paragraphs mentioned are
> from “Tablet to a Physician” written by Bahá’u’lláh BUT this Tablet was addressed
> to a man who was a student of the old type of healing/medicine prevalent in the
> East, who was familiar with the terminology used in those days, so Bahá’u’lláh
> addresses him in the terms used by medical men of those days. These terms are
> quite different from those used by modern medicine so one would have to have a
> deep knowledge of this former school of medicine to fully understand what
> Bahá’u’lláh was writing. Most of the quotations mentioned are self-explanatory and
> the rest will be made obvious in the future.
> 
> As Bahá’ís, we accept the fact that our body consists of a physical body and a
> spiritual body consisting of a soul. So, what is our health? How does Bahá’u’lláh
> define health in relation to our body and our soul?
> 
> We know (from the Writings) that the soul of man is completely independent from
> the infirmities of the physical body or mind. In Gleanings, Bahá’u’lláh mentions that
> when a sick person shows sign of weakness, it is because this health or lack of health
> seems to interfere in the connections between his soul and his body.
> 
> He uses an example of a lamp. Even though an external object may interfere with its
> radiance, the light will still continue shining. In the same manner, every
> sickness/disease that affects our body basically prevents our soul from manifesting
> its inherent might and power.
> 
> As I have been searching in the Baha'i literature, I have found many references to
> health and the importance of healing any infirmities. There seems to be an
> underlying classification within these writings so one could actually classify them
> into 4 different themes:
> 
> 1 See Appendix at the end of this paper.
> The FIRST category involves Writings that give us a general notion about health
> and that we have to trust in God when we are sick and that He is the only true
> Healer. (Please refer to quote number 1)
> 
> The SECOND group are other Writings that mention the causes of illness. In
> modern medicine, these are referred to as the Etiology of Disease and you can find
> many quotations regarding this theme especially in the Writings of ‘Abdul-Bahá.
> 
> ‘Abdul-Bahá, in a discussion about healing in 1904 said, "The science of medicine is
> still in a condition of infancy, it has not reached maturity, but when it has reached
> this point, cures will be performed by things which are not repulsive to the smell and
> taste of men.”
> 
> He goes on further to say, “…it is possible to cure by foods, aliments and fruits but
> as today 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 food, aliments,
> fragrant fruits and vegetables and by various waters, hot and cold in temperature.”
> (Please refer to quotes number 2,3,4)
> 
> The THIRD category is about what to do when we are sick. Healing is possible
> through physical medicine, psychological treatments and spiritual means, through
> prayer. Of healing through prayer, ‘Abdul-Bahá mentions that they apply to physical
> and spiritual healings. "Recite prayers to heal both the soul and the body. If healing
> is right for the patient the prayer will be granted. But for some ailing persons,
> healing would only be the cause of other ills and therefore wisdom doth not permit
> an affirmative answer to the prayer!"
> 
> Bahá’ís are encouraged to apply the appropriate treatment, physical or spiritual for
> their illnesses. Physical healing cannot be complete and lasting unless it is
> reinforced by spiritual healing. And this last on can best be obtained not only
> through prayer but also through obedience to the laws and commandments of God as
> revealed to us through His Manifestations. (Please refer to quotes number 5,6,7)
> 
> The FOURTH and last category addresses doctors and other types of healers. In the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh counsels his followers to "consult competent physicians when
> ill". This portion should be of interest to medical students. Bahá’u’lláh mentions that we
> should cure ailments in His hallowed and dearly cherished Name. Abdul-Bahá said that
> every branch of learning in conjunction with the love of God is approved and worthy of
> praise. Bahá’u’lláh, in His Tablet to a Physician wrote that this science (medicine) of the
> healing arts is the nobles of all the sciences. He has put it in the forefront of all sciences
> and wisdoms.
> 
> But more importantly, He also mentions that this is the day for us to arise to help
> His Cause. Abdu’l-Bahá in a tablet to an individual believer encourages him to study
> medicine for it serves as the greatest instrument for the dissemination of the Cause.
> Appendix: Quotes from the Bahá’í Writings on Health and Healing
> 
> ✓ O BEFRIENDED STRANGER! The candle of thine heart is lighted by the
> hand of My power, quench it not with the contrary winds of self and passion.
> The healer of all thine ills is remembrance of Me, forget it not. Make My love
> thy treasure and cherish it even as thy very sight and life.
> Bahá’u’lláh
> 
> ✓ It is certainly the case that sins are a potent cause of physical ailments. If
> humankind were free from the defilements of sin and waywardness, and lived
> according to a natural, inborn equilibrium, without following wherever their
> passions led, it is undeniable that diseases would no longer take the
> ascendant, nor diversify with such intensity.
> (Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 152)
> 
> ✓ … and he would not content himself with simple foods. Rather, he prepared
> for himself food that was compounded of many ingredients, of substances
> differing one from the other. With this, and with the perpetrating of vile and
> ignoble acts, his attention was engrossed, and he abandoned the temperance
> and moderation of a natural way of life. The result was the engendering of
> diseases both violent and diverse.
> (Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 152)
> 
> ✓   Verily the most necessary thing is contentment under all circumstances; by
> this one is preserved from morbid conditions and from lassitude. Yield not to
> grief and sorrow: they cause the greatest misery. Jealousy consumeth the
> body and anger doth burn the liver: avoid these two as you would a lion.
> (Cited in “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era”, p. 108)
> 
> ✓ Whenever ye fall ill, refer to competent physicians. Verily We have not
> abolished recourse to material means, rather have we affirmed it…
> Bahá’u’lláh.
> 
> ✓ “Do not neglect medical treatment when it is necessary, but leave it off when
> health has been restored. Treat disease through diet, by preference, refrain
> from the use of drugs; and if you find what is required in a single herb, do not
> resort to a compounded medicament...Abstain from drugs when health is
> good, but administer them when necessary.”
> (Bahá’u’lláh: Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, 1980 ed.,p. 106, cited in...Aspects of
> Health, Healing, Nutrition and Related Subjects, op. cit.)
> 
> ✓   ...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 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: Compilations, Lights of
> Guidance, p. 285)
> 
> ✓ Well is it with the physician who cureth ailments in My hallowed and dearly-
> cherished Name.
> Bahá’u’lláh
> 
> ✓ There are two ways of healing sickness, material means and spiritual means.
> The first is by the use of remedies, of medicines; the second consists in
> praying to God and in turning to Him. Both means should be used and
> practised.
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> 
> ✓ Know that there are four kinds of curing and healing without medicine. Two
> are due to material causes, and two to spiritual causes.
> 
> Of the two kinds of material healing, one is due to the fact that in man both
> health and sickness are contagious. The contagion of disease is violent and
> rapid, while that of health is extremely weak and slow... The strong power of
> a healthy body can overcome a slight weakness of a sick body, and health
> results. This is one kind of healing.
> 
> The other kind of healing without medicine is through the magnetic force
> which acts from one body on another and becomes the cause of cure. This
> force also has only a slight effect. Sometimes one can benefit a sick person by
> placing one’s hand upon his head or upon his heart. Why? Because of the
> effect of the magnetism, and of the mental impression made upon the sick
> person, which causes the disease to vanish. But this effect is also very slight
> and weak.
> 
> Of the two other kinds of healing which are spiritual—that is to say, where
> the means of cure is a spiritual power—one results from the entire
> concentration of the mind of a strong person upon a sick person, when the
> latter expects with all his concentrated faith that a cure will be effected from
> the spiritual power of the strong person, to such an extent that there will be a
> cordial connection between the strong person and the invalid…
> 
> But the fourth kind of healing is produced through the power of the Holy
> Spirit. This does not depend on contact, nor on sight, nor upon presence; it is
> not dependent upon any condition. Whether the disease be light or severe,
> whether there be a contact of bodies or not, whether a personal connection be
> established between the sick person and the healer or not, this healing takes
> place through the power of the Holy Spirit.
> (Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 254)
> ✓ Now let us speak of material healing. The science of medicine is still in a
> condition of infancy; it has not reached maturity. But when it has reached
> this point, cures will be performed by things which are not repulsive to the
> smell and taste of man—that is to say, by aliments, fruits and vegetables
> which are agreeable to the taste and have an agreeable smell. For the
> provoking cause of disease—that is to say, the cause of the entrance of
> disease into the human body—is either a physical one or is the effect of
> excitement of the nerves.
> (Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 257)
> 
> ✓ It is, therefore, evident that it is possible to cure by foods, aliments and
> fruits; but as today 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.
> (Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 258)
> 
> ✓ “ The child must, from the day of his birth, be provided with whatever is
> conducive to his health; and ye know this: so far as possible, the mother’s
> milk is best for, more agreeable and better suited to, the child, unless she
> should fall ill or her milk should run entirely dry.”
> (Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 294)
> 
> ✓ In all circumstances they should conduct themselves with moderation; if the
> meal be only one course this is more pleasing in the sight of God;…
> Bahá’u’lláh
> 
> ✓ Verily the most necessary thing is contentment under all circumstances; by
> this one is preserved from morbid conditions and from lassitude.
> Bahá’u’lláh
> 
> ✓ There is nothing greater or more blessed than the Love of God! It gives
> healing to the sick, balm to the wounded, joy and consolation to the whole
> world, and through it alone can man attain Life Everlasting.
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
>
> — *Health and Healing (Used by permission of the curator)*