Ethical Study of Qajar Period Travel Writers' Reports about Resorting to Medical Affairs
Akhlāq-i zīstī i.e., Bioethics Journal,
Vol. 14 No. 39 (1403),
28 June 2024
,
Page 1-11
https://doi.org/10.22037/bioeth.v14i39.44952
Abstract
Background and Aim: The Qajar era is one of the most prominent periods in Iran's history, during which the presence of missionaries and travel writers reached its peak. Travel writers, driven by specific motivations based on their personal dispositions and cultural and social backgrounds, examined the natural, geographical, historical, social, political, and cultural conditions of the places they visited. The aim of the author in this study is to present the reports of travel writers regarding Iranian culture, particularly the practice of tawassul in medical matters, while also analyzing and evaluating the accounts of European travel writers in this context.
Methods: The present study has been conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and based on library sources, including Dr. Wills’ Travelogue, The English amongst the Persians by Denis Wright, as well as the Quran and narrations.
Ethical Considerations: In this article, the authenticity of the texts, honesty, and trustworthiness have been observed.
Results: The reports of travel writers on recourse in medical and therapeutic matters show that firstly, travel writers have expressed these reports with malicious intentions. Secondly. Recourse, criticized by travel writers, is considered one of the moral virtues among Muslims of the Qajar period due to Islamic foundations.
Conclusion: This study addresses the reports of travel writers who, with malicious intentions, presented negative views on Iranian and Islamic culture and tawassul in medical matters. These reports have been countered through ethical principles derived from Quranic verses. Travel writers, driven by political and cultural goals, have presented negative reports on tawassul among Iranians. However, from a natural and rational perspective, and based on Islamic principles, tawassul for achieving both material and spiritual goals is considered acceptable and legitimate. Nevertheless, some Muslims during the Qajar era resorted to using talismans and non-Islamic prayers in medical matters, which contradict Islamic and ethical principles.
- Travel writers
- Ethical research
- Qajar period
- Recourse
- Medicine
How to Cite
References
Soleyman H, Bayati S. The effects of popular beliefs and credences in Qajar era medicine, Journal of Medical Ethics and History. 2019(12th): 161. [Persian]
Massoud K. The effect of Mongol medical beliefs on the folk medicine of the Qajar period, Journal of Medical Ethics and History. 2016; 9(4): 30. [Persian]
Karimi Z, Rahnama SH. The role of prayers and invocations in medicine and healing during the Qajar period. J Hist Med Sci Res. 2021; 13(46): 1-4. [Persian]
Colonel C. Monsieur Cherikov's travelogue. Translate by Masihi A. Tehran: Amir Kabir; 2000. p.147. [Persian]
Merrill SL. Lady Shail's Diary. Translate by Torabiyan HA. Tehran: New Publication; 1989. p.92. [Persian]
Will S. Iran a century ago Translate by garagozlu GH. Tehran: Eqbal; 2009. p.69. [Persian]
Merrill SL. Lady Shail's Diary. Translate by Torabiyan HA. Tehran: New Publication; 1989. p.112. [Persian]
Eugène F. Eugène Flandin's travelogue. Translate by Sadeghi HN. Tehran: Eshraq; 1977. p.66. [Persian]
Colonel C. Monsieur Cherikov's travelogue. Translate by Masihi A. Tehran: Amir Kabir; 2000. p.40. [Persian]
Feuvrier J. Three years in the court of Iran. Translate by Ashtiyani AE. Tehran: World of Books; 2006. p.239. [Persian]
Denis W. Iranians among the English. Translate by Emami K. Tehran: Foruzane Rooz Publishing Institute; 2006. p.323. [Persian]
Loti P. Towards Isfahan. Translate by Ketabi B. Tehran: Etelaate; 2018. p.254. [Persian]
Denis W. Iranians among the English. Translate by Emami K. Tehran: Foruzane Rooz Publishing Institute; 2006. p.330. [Persian]
Ibn Manzur. Mukarram Mi. Lisan al-Arab, Dar Al-Fikr Lel Tabae valnashr va tawzie Beirut. Translate. 1890. p.11: 724. [Persian]
Ahmad FKI. Al-Ain, Qom, Organization of Endowments and Charitable Affairs. Osveh Publications. Second Edition. 2014; 7: p.298.
Amadi A. Gharar al-Hakam, with the description of Khansari, by the efforts of Jalaleddin Mohaddes. Tehran; 1987; 4: p.302. [Persian]
Battuta MI. Al-Rahlah, by the effort of Ali Montaser Katani. Beirut; 1984; 1: p.159.
Shaykh Saduq. Babawayh MI. Al-Amali. Qom; 1997; 1: p.553.
Qulawayh JfI. Kamel Al-Ziyarat, by the effort of Javad Qayyumi. Qom; 1997; 1: p.360. [Persian]
Suyuti. Al-Dur al-Manthur, Beirut; 1993; 1: p.147.
Abd al-Islam O. Wahhabism contradicts the Qur’an and Sunnah. Lebanon: Beirut; 1996; p.22.
Yazdi M, Taqi M. Criticism and study of ethical schools. Qom: Publications of Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute; 2015. p.261. [Persian]
Yazdi M, Taqi M. Criticism and study of ethical schools. Qom: Publications of Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute; 2015. p.261. [Persian]
Galamaga A. Representations of Islam in Travel Literature in Early Modern England. GRIN Verlag; 2011. P.19.
Al-Asmar J. Victorian Images of the Arabs and Their Sources. Bethlehem University Journal. 1994: 58-88.
- Abstract Viewed: 100 times
- PDF (فارسی) Downloaded: 19 times