Medieval Islamic societies recognized lovesickness as a distinct mental illness, research reveals

New research from the University of Exeter reveals that medieval Islamic societies recognized lovesickness, termed ʿishq, as a distinct mental illness. This finding, published on July 9, 2026, highlights the unique perspectives of Islamic physicians compared to their ancient Greek counterparts.

Lovesickness in Islamic Medicine

Historically, Islamic scholars differentiated lovesickness from melancholy, a viewpoint not shared by ancient Greek physicians like Galen. In the 10th century, doctors suggested that lovesickness primarily affected the licentious and ignorant. However, by later centuries, they acknowledged that even noble figures, including prophets and saints, could suffer from this condition.

Islamic physicians maintained a strong connection between mental and physical health. For instance, in the 11th century, Ibn Sīnā documented how a woman’s lovesick state could lead to physical weakness and illness. This integration of mental and physical health laid the groundwork for a deeper understanding of lovesickness.

Evolution of Lovesickness Understanding

The medical interpretation of lovesickness continued evolving through the 16th century, influenced by literary discussions of obsessive love and Islamic mystical theology. This perspective is particularly evident in the works of al-Rūmī, a 13th-century mystic who emphasized love as a cosmic principle.

During this period, Ibn al-Nafīs proposed that the physiological cause of lovesickness stemmed from the accumulation of seminal fluids. He claimed that the young, unmarried, and even morally upright individuals were more susceptible to this condition, thereby broadening the understanding of who could be affected.

Key Physicians and Their Contributions

Among the notable figures studying lovesickness was Ibn al-Mubārak, who served as the court physician to Ottoman sultans Selim I and Süleyman. He built upon Ibn al-Nafīs's assertions, noting that lovesickness could affect even those who were morally upright. In his writings, al-Mubārak stated that while sexual intercourse was a common remedy for lovesickness, the condition experienced by prophets and saints was distinct, arising from their chastity or the beauty of their beloved, which in this context is God.

• Lovesickness was termed ʿishq in medieval Islamic societies.
• Initially considered a condition affecting the licentious, it later included noble figures.
• Key physicians like Ibn Sīnā and Ibn al-Nafīs contributed to the understanding of its physiological causes.

This research underscores the rich interplay between medicine, philosophy, and literature in medieval Islamic thought regarding emotional and mental health.