INTRODUCTION

The revelation of God in the Quran as the Holy Scriptures of Islam and the sayings of the Prophet not only contain statements about religious beliefs and duties, but also give meaning to each part of the life cycle. The content of such concepts as the beginning of life, childhood, illness, growing old, and death is constructed out of the faith and interpreted accordingly. These interpretations reveal themselves in corresponding rituals and ceremonies of everyday life, some of which go back to the time of the Prophet. This chapter discusses the interpretations of these stages of life that can be derived from Islamic sources and some medically relevant moral obligations that arise from them. To understand Islamic conceptions, one needs to comprehend certain pivotal texts and key terms. Much of this chapter therefore focuses on close readings of relevant texts (see also Chapter 17).

A sophisticated concern with the moral obligations of practitioners and patients is first found in the works of the ninth to fourteenth centuries of the Islamic Middle Ages. The main objective of medical practice in these works, in which the contribution of ancient authors is unmistakable, is to maintain and restore health. Scientific competence, medical skill, and moderation in all areas of life are the essential personal traits of practitioners. A patient is expected to protect himself from illnesses by means of preventive measures, search for a trustworthy practitioner in case of illness, and follow the instructions of his or her doctor.