An Introduction to the Theology of Health in the Light of the Qurʾān and Ḥadīth: An Applied Approach to the Physical Dimension of Human Beings

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Morteza Salman Nejad 1
Amirhosein Farasati 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD student in Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.30497/qhs.2026.248938.4221
Abstract
In recent decades, the growing body of interdisciplinary research on religion and health has contributed to the emergence of a new field of inquiry known as the theology of health. This field examines the relationship between religious teachings and the various dimensions of human well-being, including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health. Although studies in this area have expanded considerably within other religious traditions, the potential of the Qurʾān and ḥadīth for articulating a coherent theological framework of health that addresses the challenges of contemporary society remains insufficiently explored. The present study seeks to examine the role of Qurʾānic and ḥadīth teachings in the formation of a theology of health and to investigate how these sources can contribute to the promotion of human well-being and respond to the needs of contemporary healthcare systems. Adopting a descriptive-analytical method within an interdisciplinary framework, the study explores the concept of the theology of health and its relationship to religion-and-health studies while examining the contributions of the Qurʾān and ḥadīth to disease prevention, health promotion, and therapeutic care. The findings indicate that Islamic teachings not only provide a foundation for spiritual well-being but also offer significant resources for enhancing physical, psychological, and social health. When investigated through rigorous scientific methodologies, these teachings can make meaningful contributions to the enrichment of contemporary healthcare systems. Furthermore, the theology of health can play an important role in dispelling superstitious and unscientific practices attributed to religion, fostering a critical reappraisal of the legacy of so-called "Islamic medicine," and contributing to the development of evidence-informed complementary models of healthcare. Accordingly, the Qurʾān and ḥadīth may be regarded as foundational sources for constructing an Islamic theology of health and for advancing the broader field of applied theology in the contemporary world.
Keywords
Qurʾān and ḥadīth
theology of health
applied theology
public health
healthcare
folk medicine
modern medicine.
Subjects
The Holy Qur’ān.    
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