Health & Healing

Clothe him, then, O my God, by Thy grace, with the robe of well-being and health, and guard him, O my Beloved, from
every affliction and disorder, and from whatever is obnoxious unto Thee. Thy might, verily, is equal to all things.

Bahá'u'lláh

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O God my God! I beg of Thee by the ocean of Thy healing, and by the splendors of the Daystar of Thy
grace, and by Thy Name through which Thou didst subdue Thy servants, and by the pervasive power of
Thy most exalted Word and the potency of Thy most august Pen, and by Thy mercy that hath preceded
the creation of all who are in heaven and on earth, to purge me with the waters of Thy bounty from every
affliction and disorder, and from all weakness and feebleness.

Thou seest, O my Lord, Thy suppliant waiting at the door of Thy bounty, and him who hath set his hopes
on Thee clinging to the cord of Thy generosity. Deny him not, I beseech Thee, the things he seeketh from
the ocean of Thy grace and the Daystar of Thy loving-kindness.

Powerful art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. There is none other God save Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the
Most Generous.
Baha’u’llah

God hath enjoined upon you to observe the utmost cleanliness....Fear Him, and be of those who are
pure....Make use of rose-water, and of pure perfume; this, indeed, is that which God hath loved from the
beginning that hath no beginning, in order that there may be diffused from you what your Lord, the
Incomparable, the All-Wise, desireth.
Baha’u’llah: The Kitab-i-Aqda

God loveth those who are pure. Naught in the Bayan and in the sight of God is more loved than purity and
immaculate cleanliness....He indeed desireth that under all conditions, all may be adorned with such
purity, both inwardly and outwardly, that no repugnance may be caused even to themselves, how much
less unto others.
The Bab

To be pure and holy in all things is an attribute of the consecrated soul and a necessary characteristic of
the unenslaved mind...Once the individual is, in every respect, cleansed and purified, then will he become
a focal center reflecting the Manifest Light.

First in a human being’s way of life must be purity, then freshness, cleanliness, and independence of
spirit. First must the stream bed be cleansed, then may the sweet river waters be led into it....

A pure sense inhaleth the fragrances that blow from the rose gardens of His grace; a burnished heart will
mirror forth the comely face of truth. This is why, Holy Scriptures, the counsels of heaven are likened to
water, even as the Qur’an saith: “And pure water send We down from Heaven” (Qur’an 25:50), and the
Gospel: “Except a man be baptized of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God”
(John 3:5)....The Teachings which come from God are heavenly outpourings of grace; they are rain-
showers of divine mercy, and they cleanse the human heart.

My meaning is this, that in every aspect of life, purity and holiness, cleanliness and refinement, exalt the
human condition and further the development of man’s inner reality...Although bodily cleanliness is a
physical thing, it hath, nevertheless, a powerful influence on the life of the spirit....

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Observe how pleasing is cleanliness in the sight of God, and how specifically it is emphasized in the Holy
Books of the Prophets; for the Scriptures forbid the eating or the use of any unclean thing....Their
avoidance is necessary to purity, cleanliness, the preservation of health, and freedom from addiction.
‘Abdu’l-Baha

Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all infirmities of body or mind.
That a sick person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances that interpose themselves between
his soul and his body, for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings

…All created things have their degree or stage of maturity. The period of maturity in the life of a tree is the
time of its fruit-bearing... The animal attains a state of full growth and completeness, and in the human
kingdom man reaches his maturity when the light of his intelligence attains its greatest power and
development... Similarly there are periods and stages in the collective life of humanity. At one time it was
passing through its stage of childhood, at another its period of youth, but now it has entered its long-
predicted phase of maturity, the evidences of which are everywhere apparent... That which was applicable
to human needs during the early history of the race can neither meet nor satisfy the demands of this day,
this period of newness and consummation. Humanity has emerged from its former state of limitation

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and preliminary training. Man must now become imbued with new virtues and powers, new moral
standards, new capacities. New bounties, perfect bestowals, are awaiting and already descending upon
him. The gifts and blessings of the period of youth, although timely and sufficient during the adolescence
of mankind, are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its maturity.

`Abdu'l-Bahá

...The provoking cause of disease...is either a physical one or is the effect of excitement of the nerves. But
the principal causes of disease are physical, for the human body is composed of numerous elements, but
in the measure of an especial equilibrium. As long as this equilibrium is maintained, man is preserved
from disease; but if this essential balance, which is the pivot of the constitution, is disturbed, the
constitution is disordered, and disease will supervene....Now the readjustment of these constituents of the
human body is obtained by two means---either by medicines or by aliments [foods]; and when the
constitution has recovered its equilibrium, disease is banished.

...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-Baha: Some Answered Questions

...You should not neglect your health, but consider it the means which enables you to serve. [The body] is
like a horse which carries the personality and spirit, and as such should be well cared for so it can do its
work! You should certainly safeguard your nerves, and force yourself to take time, and not only for prayer
and meditation, but for real rest and relaxation.

Physical pain is a necessary accompaniment of all human existence, and as such is unavoidable. As long
as there will be life on earth, there will be also suffering....But suffering, although an inescapable reality,
can nevertheless be utilized as a means for the attainment of happiness. This is the interpretation given to
it by all the prophets and saints who, in the midst of severe tests and trials, felt happy and joyous and
experienced what is best and holiest in life....In every suffering, one can find a meaning and a wisdom.
But it is not always easy to find the secret of that wisdom. It is sometimes only when all our suffering has
passed that we become aware of its usefulness....

Shoghi Effendi

P raised be Thou, O Lord my God! I implore Thee, by Thy Most Great Name through which Thou didst
stir up Thy servants and build up Thy cities, and by Thy most excellent titles, and Thy most august
attributes, to assist Thy people to turn in the direction of Thy manifold bounties, and set their faces
towards the Tabernacle of Thy wisdom. Heal Thou the sicknesses that have assailed the souls on every
side, and have deterred them from directing their gaze towards the Paradise that lieth in the shelter of
Thy shadowing Name, which Thou didst ordain to be the King of all names unto all who are in heaven and
all who are on earth. Potent art Thou to do as pleaseth Thee. In Thy hands is the empire of all names.
There is none other God but Thee, the Mighty, the Wise.

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I am but a poor creature, O my Lord; I have clung to the hem of Thy riches. I am sore sick; I have held
fast the cord of Thy healing. Deliver me from the ills that have encircled me, and wash me thoroughly
with the waters of Thy graciousness and mercy, and attire me with the raiment of wholesomeness,
through Thy forgiveness and bounty. Fix, then, mine eyes upon Thee, and rid me of all attachment to
aught else except Thyself. Aid me to do what Thou desirest, and to fulfill what Thou pleasest.
Thou art truly the Lord of this life and of the next. Thou art, in truth, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most
Merciful.
Bahá’u’lláh

O my Lord! Thou knowest that the people are encircled with pain and calamities and are environed
with hardships and trouble. Every trial doth attack man and every dire adversity doth assail him like unto
the assault of a serpent. There is no shelter and asylum for him except under the wing of Thy protection,
preservation, guard and custody.

O Thou the Merciful One! O my Lord! Make Thy protection my armor, Thy preservation my shield,
humbleness before the door of Thy oneness my guard, and Thy custody and defense my fortress and my
abode. Preserve me from the suggestions of self and desire, and guard me from every sickness, trial,
difficulty and ordeal.
Verily, Thou art the Protector, the Guardian, the Preserver, the Sufficer, and verily, Thou art the Merciful
of the Most Merciful.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá

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 Remedy
...Beware of using any substance that induceth sluggishness and torpor in the human temple and
inflicteth harm upon the body. We, verily, desire for you naught but what shall profit you, and to this bear
witness all created things, had ye but ears to hear.
Baha’u’llah: The Kitab-i-Aqda

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.....
Well is it with the physician who cureth the ailments in My hallowed and dearly-cherished Name.

Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas

This knowledge [of the healing art] is the most important of all the sciences, for it is the greatest means
from God, the Life-giver to the dust, for preserving the bodies of all people; and He has put it in the
forefront of all sciences and wisdoms....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 compounded medicament....
Abstain from drugs when the health is good, but administer them when necessary....

…Most necessary to thy well-being is contentment under all circumstances for through it will the soul be
saved from sloth and ill-being. Eschew anxiety and depression for through these twain will transpire a
darksome affliction.
Tablet of Medicine- Baha’u’llah

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

Abdu’l-Baha

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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-Baha: Some Answered Questions

Regarding the eating of animal flesh and abstinence therefrom,

know thou of a certainty that, in the beginning of creation, God
determined the food of every living being, and to eat contrary to
that determination is not approved. For instance, beasts of
prey, such as the wolf, lion and leopard, are endowed with
ferocious, tearing instruments, such as hooked talons and claws.
From this it is evident that the food of such beasts is meat. If
they were to attempt to graze, their teeth would not cut the grass, neither could they chew the cud, for
they do not have molars. Likewise, God hath given to the four-footed grazing animals such teeth as reap
the grass like a sickle, and from this we understand that the food of these species of animal is vegetable.
They cannot chase and hunt down other animals. The falcon hath a hooked beak and sharp talons; the
hooked beak preventeth him from grazing, therefore his food also is meat.

But now coming to man, we see he hath neither hooked teeth nor sharp nails or claws, nor teeth like iron
sickles. From this it becometh evident and manifest that the food of man is cereals and fruit. Some of the
teeth of man are like millstones to grind the grain, and some are sharp to cut the fruit. Therefore he is not
in need of meat, nor is he obliged to eat it. Even without eating meat he would live with the utmost vigour
and energy.
`Abdu'l-Baha

We should all visit the sick. When they are in sorrow and suffering, it is a real help and benefit to have a
friend come. Happiness is a great healer to those who are ill. In the East it is the custom to call upon the
patient often and meet him individually. The people in the East show the utmost kindness and
compassion to the sick and suffering. This has greater effect than the remedy itself....
‘Abdu’l-Baha

Verily the Will of God acts sometimes in a way for which mankind is unable to find out the reason. The
causes and reasons shall appear. Trust in God and confide in Him, and resign thyself to the Will of God....
God is the great compassionate Physician who alone has the power to give true healing. All creatures are
dependent upon God, however great may seem their knowledge, power, and independence.

‘Abdu’l-Baha

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O thou distinguished physician!... Praise be to God that thou hast two powers: one to undertake
physical healing and the other spiritual healing. Matters related to man's spirit have a great effect on his
bodily condition. For instance, thou shouldst impart gladness to thy patient, give him comfort and joy,
and bring him to ecstasy and exultation. How often hath it occurred that this hath caused early recovery.
Therefore, treat thou the sick with both powers....

‘Abdu’l-Baha

O Thou Whose tests are a healing medicine to such as are nigh unto Thee, Whose sword is the ardent
desire of all them that love Thee, Whose dart is the dearest wish of those hearts that yearn after Thee,
Whose decree is the sole hope of them that have recognized Thy truth! I implore Thee, by Thy divine
sweetness and by the splendors of the glory of Thy face, to send down upon us from Thy retreats on high
that which will enable us to draw nigh unto Thee. Set, then, our feet firm, O my God, in Thy Cause, and
enlighten our hearts with the effulgence of Thy knowledge, and illumine our breasts with the brightness
of Thy names.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Thou merciful God! O Thou Who art mighty and powerful! O Thou most kind Father! These
servants have gathered together, turning to Thee, supplicating Thy threshold, desiring Thine endless
bounties from Thy great assurance. They have no purpose save Thy good pleasure. They have no
intention save service to the world of humanity.

O God! Make this assemblage radiant. Make the hearts merciful. Confer the bounties of the Holy Spirit.
Endow them with a power from heaven. Bless them with heavenly minds. Increase their sincerity, so
that with all humility and contrition they may turn to Thy kingdom and be occupied with service to the
world of humanity. May each one become a radiant candle. May each one become a brilliant star. May
each one become beautiful in color and redolent of fragrance in the kingdom of God.

O kind Father! Confer Thy blessings. Consider not our shortcomings. Shelter us under Thy protection.
Remember not our sins. Heal us with Thy mercy. We are weak; Thou art mighty. We are poor; Thou art
rich. We are sick; Thou art the Physician. We are needy; Thou art most generous.

O God! Endow us with Thy providence. Thou art the Powerful. Thou art the Giver. Thou art the
Beneficent.
‘Abdu’l-Baha