From Immunology to ʿIlm al-Manāʿah: Toward an Integrated Framework of Science for Islamic Studies

Abstract

This article advocates for the integration of Immunology, which is conceived here as ʿIlm al-Manāʿah, into Islamic Studies. We examine how the fragmentation of knowledge introduced by secularisation has relegated natural sciences, including Immunology, to positivist paradigms, neglecting metaphysical dimensions. In contrast, the Islamic intellectual tradition is embedded in a Tawḥīdic epistemology, which affirms the unity of scientific and theological domains. By tracing the historical interplay between Islamic medicine and theology,ʿIlm al-Manāʿah can enrich the intellectual and psychological dimensions already addressed in contemporary Islamic Studies. We propose that Immunology, with its focus on the body’s defence mechanisms, is critical for exploring the often-overlooked biological aspect of the self. We outline a methodological and conceptual framework for integrating Immunology into Islamic Studies. By situating Immunology within a transdisciplinary educational model, ʿIlm al-Manāʿah offers a pathway to reintegrate scientific inquiry into the civilisational aspirations of Islamic intellectual tradition. Ultimately, this integration may train a new generation of Muslim scholars equipped to address contemporary challenges with both scientific rigour and theological depth. In doing so, it reaffirms an enduring Islamic educational legacy that views all knowledge as a means to better comprehend creation and the Creator.