Risala/Tib Imam Ali Ridha

The book “Tibb al-Imam al-Ridha” (طب الإمام الرضا), also known as “The Golden Treatise” (الرسالة الذهبية), is a short but famous medical text attributed to Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (a.s.), the eighth Imam of the Ahlul Bayt.

What is the book about?

This book is a medical guide that outlines Islamic principles of health, nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention. Imam Ridha (a.s.) wrote it at the request of the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma’mun, who was impressed by the Imam’s deep knowledge in many fields, including medicine.

The book is not like modern scientific textbooks, but rather a holistic guide combining spiritual, ethical, and physical health teachings, grounded in both divine wisdom and natural observation.

Main topics the book covers:

1. Balance in Eating and Drinking

Imam Ridha emphasizes the importance of:

• Eating moderately.
• Avoiding mixing too many different types of food at once.
• Eating based on seasonal needs (e.g., lighter food in summer, heavier in winter).
• Drinking water slowly, not during meals, and avoiding ice-cold water.

2. Body Temperament (Mizaj)

The book discusses how each person has a natural temperament (hot, cold, moist, dry), and how food, climate, and emotions affect this balance. Good health comes from keeping the body’s temperament in harmony.

3. Daily Routines

It gives advice on:

• Sleep (early sleep and early waking)
• Exercise (moderate movement is good for digestion)
• Cleanliness and personal hygiene

4. Seasonal Guidance

Imam Ridha explains how each season affects the body and gives tips on what to eat or avoid in each:

• For example, eat moist, cooling foods in summer, and warm, dry foods in winter.

5. Prevention over Cure

The Imam teaches that preventing illness through good habits is better than treating it after it appears. This idea is now echoed in modern preventive medicine.

6. Spiritual and Emotional Health

He connects physical health to emotional balance, clean intentions, and belief in God. Stress, anger, and greed, he explains, can damage health just like bad food can.

Why is this book important?

• It’s one of the oldest Islamic medical texts, respected in both Shia and Sunni traditions.
• The Caliph himself had it written in gold ink, which is why it’s called the “Golden Treatise.”
• It shows how early Islamic thought combined faith and reason, offering a view of medicine that respects both the body and the soul.
• Some of its advice even matches what modern health science confirms today (like seasonal diets, digestion-based eating habits, and mind-body connection).

In summary:

Tibb al-Imam al-Ridha is a timeless guide to health based on Islamic wisdom. It teaches how to live in balance with nature, how to prevent illness, and how to care for the body and soul together. It’s a rich resource for anyone interested in Islamic medicine, prophetic healing, or holistic health.