Between Body and Soul: Muslims as Patients, Physicians, and Religious Scholars in the Ottoman Age of Epidemics

This article analyses how contemporary historical research has interpreted Muslim responses to epidemics in the Ottoman Empire, offering an original ethico-historical evaluation that synthesises and critically engages with the findings of these studies. By focusing on the roles of Muslims as patients, physicians, and religious scholars, the paper explores the overlapping moral, medical, and theological dimensions of these figures, shedding light on the complex subjectivities that emerged during times of public health crisis. The analysis adopts a thematic structure, dividing the data into 3 main categories -the public, physicians, and scholars- to examine how different segments of society responded to the threat of infectious disease and how these responses were shaped by religious belief, medical knowledge, and socio-cultural norms. These categories help identify not only moments of conflict, resistance, and doubt but also episodes of cooperation, trust, and moral solidarity, reflecting the pluralism within and between each group. In doing so, the article moves beyond simplistic binaries and captures the diversity of ethical reasoning in a context of uncertainty. The study ultimately invites reflection on the epistemic and moral roles adopted by laypeople, medical professionals, and spiritual authorities in managing collective crises. It argues that understanding past moral negotiations between scientific rationality and cultural legitimacy can enrich contemporary bioethical debates on epidemic preparedness and response.