Determinants of Health from the Perspective of the Holy Quran

Background and Objective: Across all countries, health preservation focuses on risk and protective factors. Islam, as a comprehensive way of life for humanity, offers valuable insights into these factors. This study explores the determinants of health from the perspective of the Holy Quran. Methods: All verses of the Quran were reviewed. Verses directly or indirectly referring to health determinants were identified and categorized into two groups: factors recognized by empirical health sciences and those beyond them. The first group was classified based on the World Health Organization’s framework, while the second was analyzed using thematic content analysis. Findings: A total of ۷۴۴ codes (health-influencing factors) were identified across ۴۲۰ verses. The verses confirmed factors aligned with scientific literature, including age, gender, genetics, biomedical factors, material circumstance, behavioral factors, psychosocial factors, and political and socioeconomic contexts. Additionally, other verses highlighted divine will, divine trials, religious injunctions, Islamic governance, faith in God, prayer, the unseen realm, Satan, remembrance of God, the Quran, knowledge, and miracles as health determinants, categorized under three main themes: divine will, religious injunctions, and the unseen realm. Conclusion: Religion, through its injunctions, can influence health via pathways outlined in empirical scientific frameworks. Beyond religious directives, the existence of the unseen realm and divine will represents a paramount factor influencing human health.

Keywords:

Health determinants , divine will , unseen realm , religion , عوامل موثر بر سلامت , اراده خداوند , عالم غیب , دین