Introduction
The vast edifice of knowledge has not been constructed or expanded suddenly; rather, its foundations were laid by predecessors, with each era contributing to its advancement, culminating in its present form. To appreciate the significance and value of any field of knowledge, one must examine the works of past scholars and compare ancient and modern sciences [1]. Despite the limited availability of historical and literary sources, the influence of certain poets and literary figures in preserving and transmitting various sciences is evident. Persian poets excelled in literary arts and were distinguished scholars in diverse fields, including jurisprudence, theology, mysticism, philosophy, history, geography, medicine, and astronomy. By integrating these sciences into their literary works, they imbued their poetry with a distinctive intellectual depth and aesthetic refinement. Medicine was no exception to this phenomenon. Medical science and the discourse on drugs and treatments frequently found expression in literary compositions, particularly poetry. With careful examination, one can identify numerous poet-physicians and physician-poets among the vast array of literary figures. Additionally, despite lacking direct involvement in medicine, many poets employed medical terminology and concepts to enrich their poetic themes.
Certain literary scholars and polymaths from ancient Iran, the Zoroastrian era, the Islamic period, and beyond, were well-versed in various sciences and held esteemed positions in religious scholarship. Consequently, they presented essential teachings related to health and medicine within a religious framework, using religious and literary expressions, such as storytelling and poetry to encourage public adherence to medical practices. Therefore, renowned poets, such as Khaqani, Saadi, Ferdowsi, and Nezami demonstrated remarkable knowledge of medicine, incorporating medical terminology and concepts into their poetry with exceptional mastery, making them accessible and comprehensible to a broad audience.
One notable example of this phenomenon is Masnavi Sadriyeh by Ali Akbar Hamadani Sadriyeh. This poetic work integrates themes of wisdom, panegyric, mystical love, and ethics to create a literary masterpiece. The poet employs the marvels of creation, particularly human anatomy and physiology, as evidence to substantiate theological principles such as belief in a Creator, monotheism, prophethood, and the legitimacy of religious leadership. This manuscript, classified as a mystical Masnavi, was composed in metrical patterns, such as Raml, Sarī, and Hezj, and was transcribed by Abd al-Jawad Isfahani in 1312 AH (1894 CE) in Hamadan City, Iran.

Methods
This study was conducted using a library-based research methodology. Relevant information was gathered using key terms, such as “history of Iranian medicine,” “Sadriyeh poetry and medicine,” and “ancient Iranian medicine” in Persian. Data collection was performed from international databases, such as Google Scholar, and national academic repositories, including Noormags, Magiran, Scientific Information Database (SID), Noor, Gisum, and Virascience. A total of 52 relevant articles were selected and analyzed. Additionally, the medical verses found in the manuscript of Masnavi-ye Sadriyyah by Ali Akbar Hamadani were examined and explicated concerning their medical references.

Findings
Islamic ethical teachings emphasize that recognizing, appreciating, and expressing gratitude for divine blessings play a crucial role in an individual’s spiritual development. Conversely, ingratitude and disregard for divine blessings are considered moral deficiencies that lead to human degradation. The contemporary prevalence of materialistic lifestyles has diminished this perspective. From Ali Akbar Hamadani’s viewpoint, knowledge and awareness derived both from the Quran—the paramount religious text of Islam—and from natural sciences such as self-awareness through the wonders of divine creation, including human physiology, serve as instruments to affirm monotheism, the legitimacy of Islam, and the authenticity of prophets and religious leaders. His work ultimately aims to cultivate a deeper understanding and perpetual remembrance of divine blessings, guiding individuals toward spiritual enlightenment and divine grace.
The manuscript of Masnavi-ye Sadriyyah comprises 2766 couplets, of which approximately 79 verses are directly related to medical science. Due to its exceptional synthesis of various disciplines—mysticism, history, and medicine—Hamadanis’s poetry establishes a profound connection between historical and religious themes while providing insights into the medical knowledge of his era (the Constitutional period). His verses extensively reference medical subjects, particularly human anatomy and the functions of various organs, including the eyes, eyelashes, teeth, throat, nose, brain, larynx, imagination, perception, five faculties, liver, lungs, stomach, and more. To date, no independent study has been conducted on the Masnavi-ye Sadriyyah manuscript. The only comparable work is Daneshnameh dar Elm-e Pezeshki (encyclopedia of medical science), the oldest Persian poetic work on medicine, composed by Hakim Maysari. This text is a practical medical treatise, systematically structured in poetic form. Maysari begins with praises of God and a description of divine attributes before discussing topics such as the calendar, seasonal influences, winds, temperaments, diseases, treatments, and pharmaceutical preparations. He methodically introduces each subject in a set of verses before transitioning to a new topic, ensuring scientific rigor by aligning his terminology with established medical texts.

Conclusion
The cultural heritage of the Islamic-Iranian civilization, including the profound poetry and narratives of Persian literary figures, constitutes a vast reservoir of scientific and intellectual wealth. This legacy, inherited from past generations, serves as a valuable resource for contemporary scientific advancement. Exploring and researching these literary treasures not only safeguards against historical and cultural alienation—an unfortunate consequence of Western colonial influences—but also reignites the motivation to rebuild the civilizational foundations that Iran established over a millennium ago. The echoes of this grand intellectual tradition still resonate across the historical and scientific landscape.
This study has provided but a glimpse into the boundless ocean of Persian-Islamic medicine as reflected in the poetry of distinguished Persian literary figures. The manuscript Masnavi-ye Sadriyyah by Ali Akbar Hamadani, structured in metered verse, uniquely integrates mystical, historical, and medical themes. It effectively employs anatomical knowledge—the foundation of medical science—to convey moral and educational messages. The concept of creation and worship encapsulates the fundamental concerns of human existence. Worship entails complete submission and devotion, prioritizing divine satisfaction above all else. The purpose of human creation is fundamentally intertwined with the “philosophy of life,” which ultimately leads individuals toward their true existential fulfillment. Unfortunately, we often forget the ultimate purpose of our creation. The literary and cultural heritage of Persian-Islamic civilization is an invaluable asset that continues to offer profound insights into various fields of knowledge, including medicine, history, and spirituality.

Ethical Considerations

Compliance with ethical guidelines
This study was approved by Iran National Committee for Ethics in Biomedical Research, Tehran, Iran (Code: IR.IAU.RASHT.REC.1402.004).

Funding
This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.

Authors' contributions
Conceptualization, study design, data analysis and interpretation: All authors; Writing the original draft: Zahra Rezazadeh, Abolfazl Moradi, and Nasrullah Zirak; Review and editing: Abolfazl Moradi, Nasrollah Zirak, Aliakbar Afrasiabpoor, and Zahra Rezazadeh.

Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.