The Doctor Who Thinks Medicine Should Also Save Your Soul

Meet Dr. Mohammad Irfan Alamgir: a London-trained physician and director of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. Medicine runs deep in his family’s veins, but for him, healing has always been more than biology—it’s about compassion, dignity, and service. With years of specialist training and a strong professional background, he brings both medical expertise and leadership to his community work.

Please introduce yourself to the Divine Just State Magazine Readers.

My name is Mohammad Irfan Alamgir, and I serve as one of the directors of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. By profession, I am a medical doctor, having completed my specialist training in 2015.

My early education was at Hull Grammar School in East Yorkshire, after which I went on to study Medicine at Imperial College in London. There, I graduated with both a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. Following this, I undertook my postgraduate training at the prestigious Manchester Royal Infirmary as well as in Yorkshire, gaining broad experience across several medical and surgical specialties, as well as in paediatrics and psychiatry.

I come from a family deeply rooted in the field of medicine. My mother trained in both Gynaecology and General Practice, while my father is an Interventional Cardiologist. My father was the first cardiologist in the UK to perform a Mitraclip procedure and also trained many specialists all over the world in this innovative new method of repairing leaky heart valves. For his services to cardiology he received an MBE in 2013 from the Queen.

In addition, both of my grandfathers were professors of medicine, making the pursuit of healing and knowledge something that truly runs in the family. Growing up in this environment instilled in me an early understanding of the dedication, discipline, and work ethic required to excel in a professional medical career.

Why did you choose to become a doctor?

From an early age, I was captivated by the wonder of biology—the intricate design of the human body and the mystery of life itself. But what drew me to medicine was not only this fascination with science; it was the calling to use that knowledge in the service of humanity. Medicine, to me, is the meeting point of two worlds: the precision of science and the compassion of the human spirit.

I chose to become a doctor because I saw in this path the opportunity to heal, to comfort, and to stand alongside people in their deepest struggles. Illness can strip away a person’s sense of strength and dignity, but a doctor has the privilege of restoring hope, even when cure is not possible. To me, that is sacred work.

My family’s legacy in medicine inspired me, but what drives me is a greater mission: to be of service. I see medicine as not just a profession, but as a form of worship—an act of devotion where knowledge becomes a means of compassion, and healing becomes a bridge between the physical and the spiritual. In this way, my medical career has never been separate from my faith; it has always been an extension of it.

Are there rewarding moments you remember from working in your job?

Yes, there have been many rewarding moments throughout my career that have left a deep impression on me. Working in the emergency department, I often encountered patients arriving in critical condition—strokes, heart disease, acute COPD—people on the very brink of life. To be able to act decisively under pressure, often over long and exhausting hours, and then see those patients stabilised and returned to their families was profoundly satisfying. Those moments reminded me of the privilege it is to be entrusted with another person’s life.

But medicine has also taught me that healing is not always about curing. I have walked alongside patients with severe dementia and terminal cancer, where no medical intervention could change the outcome. Yet, in those moments, I found meaning in building bonds of trust, providing comfort, and supporting families as they faced incredible challenges. Sometimes you can save lives, sometimes you cannot—but there is always something you can do to help, whether it is restoring health, relieving pain, or simply giving strength and dignity in the face of suffering. Additionally, my experience in teamwork and coordinating complex care allows me to work collaboratively with other leaders, volunteers, and members of the community to organize events, provide educational programs, and ensure that our initiatives run smoothly and effectively.

Finally, medicine has instilled in me a deep understanding of prevention and long-term wellbeing, which translates beautifully into spiritual guidance—helping members not only in times of crisis but also encouraging daily practices that promote holistic health.

In essence, the skills I learned in medicine—knowledge, empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork—allow me to serve this religion in ways that strengthen both the individual and the community as a whole.

What would you like to tell other people who are still working in your profession today?

To my fellow doctors, I would say that the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light offers a profound perspective on healing, justice, and the potential of human knowledge. There is a deeper understanding of health and disease that goes beyond conventional approaches, and I truly believe that, with humility and open-mindedness, we can uncover ways to prevent and even eliminate illnesses like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and serious neurodegenerative conditions.

The teachings of this religion encourage us to explore alternative approaches—nutrition, lifestyle, meditation, and natural therapies—that have often been overlooked in mainstream medicine. A great advancement in medical science is on the horizon for those willing to listen, to question assumptions, and to bravely step out of the confines of established thinking.

Above all, the religion teaches that healing is not just a scientific process, but a sacred duty intertwined with compassion, justice, and service. I wish my colleagues guidance from God, and may peace, health, and prosperity accompany them on their journey—both in medicine and in life.