BahÃĄâ•Žuâ•ŽllÃĄh and the New Era - Knowledge Rush

The Prophet as PhysicianWe live in a world, however, where from time immemorial obedienceto the commands of the Prophets has been the exceptionrather than the rule; where love of self has been a more prevalentmotive than love of God; where limited and party interests havetaken precedence of the interests of humanity as a whole; wherematerial possessions and sensual pleasures have been preferredto the social and spiritual welfare of mankind. Hence have arisenfierce competition and conflict, oppression and tyranny, extremesof wealth and poverty—all those conditions which breed disease,mental and physical. As a consequence, the whole tree of humanityis sick, and every leaf on the tree shares in the generalsickness. Even the purest and holiest have to suffer for the sinsof others. Healing is needed—healing of humanity as a whole,of nations and of individuals. So Bahá’u’lláh, like His inspiredpredecessors, not only shows how health is to be maintained, butalso how it may be recovered when lost. He comes as the GreatPhysician, the Healer of the world’s sicknesses, both of body andof mind. Healing by Material MeansIn the Western world of today there is evident a remarkablerevival of belief in the efficacy of healing by mental and spiritualmeans. Indeed many, in their revolt against the materialisticideals about disease and its treatment which prevailed in thenineteenth century, have gone to the opposite extreme of denyingthat material remedies or hygienic methods have any valuewhatsoever. Bahá’u’lláh recognizes the value of both materialand spiritual remedies. He teaches that the science and artof healing must be developed, encouraged and perfected, sothat all means of healing may be used to the best advantage,each in its appropriate sphere. When members of Bahá’u’lláh’sown family were sick, a professional physician was called in,and this practice is recommended to His followers. He says: