Need to consult and abide by advice of physician

Resort to competent physicians in times of sickness

"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, par. 113 113)

"To consult competent physicians when ill"

(Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, IV.D.3.s)

Decree of Bahá'u'lláh Consult Competent Doctor; 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, sec. 135, p. 156, in Lights of Guidance, no. 945 and 965)

"To consult competent physicians when ill" (Synopsis, IV.D.3.s)

"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, par. 113; also in Lights of Guidance, no. 923)

Best physicians means doctors who have studied a scientific system of medicine

"In His Most Holy Book (the Aqdas) Bahá'u'lláh says to consult the best physicians, in other words doctors who have studied a scientific system of medicine; He never gave us to believe He Himself would heal us through 'healers', but rather through prayer and the assistance of medicine and approved treatments.

"Now, as long as your healing is in no opposition to these principles, as long as you do not try and take the place of a regular doctor in trying to heal others, but only give them your kind of help through constructive suggestion — or whatever it may be — and do not associate this help with being a channel of the direct grace of Bahá'u'lláh, the Guardian sees no harm in your continuing your assistance to others. But you must conscientiously decide whether in view of the above you are really justified in continuing. He will pray for your guidance and happiness.

(In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 8 June 1948 to an individual believer; in Health, Healing, and Nutrition, no. 67)

Scientific system of medicine not limited to those dominant in western countries, but there is a borderline between unorthodox and quackery/superstition

"The statement defining health practitioners from a Bahá'í point of view is given in a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer on 8 June 1948: "In His Most Holy Book (the "Aqdas") Bahá'u'lláh says to consult the best physicians, in other words doctors who have studied a scientific system of medicine." It is clear from other statements made by the Guardian, as well as from the practice of Bahá'u'lláh, the Master and the Guardian himself, that by "a scientific system of medicine" he was not limiting the choice to the medical theories currently dominant in western countries. The House of Justice, therefore, does not exclude the use of traditional native healers, who have often gone through a rigorous training in their craft. There is, nevertheless, an important borderline between unorthodox medical practice and sheer quackery or superstition, and this we should be careful not to cross.

(17 June 1994, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly; in Aspects of Traditional African Culture, no. 42)

Follow (competent) doctor's instructions

Once skill of physician ascertained, to follow (those without knowledge of science and medicine should not object)

"The physician will doubtless prescribe remedies that are at variance with popular notions, but is it permissible for those who have no knowledge of science and medicine to object? No, by God! On the contrary, they must all acquiesce and follow whatsoever the skilled physician prescribes. Thus, the skilled physician “doeth whatsoever he willeth,” and the patients have no share in this station. First, the skill of the physician must be ascertained, and once this has been done, he “doeth whatsoever he willeth.”"

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, par. 45-7)

Abide by doctor's instructions

"I grieve to learn that you have not yet fully recovered and I urge you to abide by the doctor’s instructions and to take whatever measures are necessary for the complete and speedy restoration of your precious health."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Indian Subcontinent, p. 106)

"The Guardian was very happy to see from your last letter that your health is sufficiently improved for you to resume your work. He would advise you, however, to not overdo and to continue to act in accordance with the advice of your doctor."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Indian Subcontinent, p. 205)

Follow doctor's advice to fully regain strength

"The news that your health is steadily improving pleased him very much, as he feels your services are required even more today than they have been in the past. He hopes you will continue to follow your doctor’s advice, and thus fully regain your strength."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Indian Subcontinent, p. 223)

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)

(Following majority of doctor opinion)

"The Guardian advises that you should refer to other doctors, and follow the majority vote.+v"

"v. This advice was given by the Guardian in a case when the inquirer sought the Guardian's counsel, since one doctor's view was that an operation was needed, while another doctor did not consider such an operation necessary."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 14 February 1945 to an individual believer — translated from the Arabic, Consultation (compilation), no. 37)

Following a medical manual without consulting a doctor for an illness is ignorant

"It is possible for a man to hold to a book of medicine and say, "I have no need of a doctor; I will act according to the book; in it every disease is named, all symptoms are explained, the diagnosis of each ailment is completely written out, and a prescription for each malady is furnished; therefore, why do I need a doctor?" This is sheer ignorance. A physician is needed to prescribe. Through his skill the principles of the book are correctly and effectively applied until the patient is restored to health."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 249)