Scholars of Preventive Medicine and Their Impact on Preserving Human Health in the 3rd Hijri Century (9th Calendar Century) with Abu Zayd Ahmad Ibn Sahl al-Balkhi (d. 322 AH / 934 AD) as a Model: A Historical Cultural Study

Abstract

This study sheds light on scholars of preventive medicine and their impact on preserving human health in the context of Islamic history and civilization during the 3^rd Hijri century (corresponding to the 9^th Calendar century), focusing on a single, significant example among the scholars who distinguished themselves in this vital field of human health: the scholar Abu Zayd Ahmad al-Balkhi (d. 322 AH/934 AD). Among the areas in which al-Balkhi excelled and demonstrated great creativity was his concise style, which was in the form of a reminding, simple, guiding and counseling method, which simultaneously elucidates the critical link between the body and the mind. He extensively demonstrated the interconnectedness of the mind and the body, illustrating how the state of one profoundly influences the other. He explained that when the body falls ill, the mind becomes incapable of learning, engaging in other cognitive activities, or performing tasks effectively.

Conversely, when the soul suffers, the body loses its natural capacity for enjoyment, rendering one’s life miserable and turbulent. He defined the true nature of psychosomatic illness, stating that it is "a psychological pain that may lead to physical illness." This definition, which was subsequently adopted by the Persian physician Ali Abbas in his works, did not enter the consciousness of Western psychologists till the time when Sigmund Freud began to explore this very concept nearly a full millennium later. Al-Balkhi also offered cognitive solutions and therapeutic interventions. The most impressive aspect of his methodology is perhaps his early application of a pioneering form of cognitive therapy. Through his writings, he advocated the "talk therapy", a method employed to modify an individual's thoughts, thereby leading to a desired improvement in the individual’s behavior. His prescribed treatment for depression underscores the concept of psychotherapy, as he recommended the use of "gentle, encouraging conversation to restore a measure of happiness." Furthermore, he advocated the use of music therapy and other activities that can improve a person's psychological state.

The study sheds light on the attention paid by the scholars of preventive medicine within the Islamic tradition and their unwavering commitment to serving humanity, assisting individuals in overcoming both physical and psychological health challenges, and producing a vast body of scholarly literature. In this regard, a debt of gratitude is truly owed to Western libraries, which have preserved for us systematic manuscripts in this field that have profoundly served humanity in the realm of preventive medicine.