4 Islam And Health Journal 9 11 1 2026 6 1 A Jurisprudential and Scientific Examination of Consanguineous Marriage: An Islamic-Medical Approach 1 14 FA Mostafa Saadat Department of Biology, School of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Background and aim: Consanguineous marriage is highly prevalent in Islamic countries. This type of marriage can increase the risk of underlying and multifactorial diseases. Many people believe that consanguineous marriage is advised and emphasized in Islam. The present study attempts to examine the Hadith in this regard. Materials and methods: This study was conducted using a library research method by referring to primary hadith sources from both Sunni and Shia traditions. Using the software "Jame al-Ahadith" (version 3.5) and the online database "Al-Maktaba al-Shamela," an extensive search was performed to identify hadiths related to consanguineous marriage. The extracted hadiths were examined and validated in terms of chain of narration (sanad) and content. Findings: Six hadiths were found: "Do not marry a close relative, or the child will be born weak", "Emigrate (leave your homeland), so that you do not become weak or defective", "There is no [prohibition against] the daughter of the uncle", "Whoever marries within his own tribe is like a herder grazing in his own courtyard", "Whoever marries for the sake of Allah and to maintain kinship ties, Allah will bestow on him the crown of kingship", and "Our daughters are for our sons and our sons are for our daughters". Among these, the first and second hadiths, as well as the last one, are respectively the most and least well-known. The first three hadiths appear in the compiled works of both Sunni and Shia scholars, the fourth hadith is found only in Sunni sources, and the last two are found only in Shia sources. Conclusion: The present study shows that no hadith was found in Shia or Sunni hadith sources that definitively indicates the superiority of consanguineous marriage over non-consanguineous marriage. Therefore, this type of marriage falls within the category of permissible (mubāh) acts in Islamic law.

4 Islam And Health Journal 9 11 1 2026 6 1 Spiritual health and striving for excellence and their impact on development from the perspective of the Quran and Nahj al-Balagha 15 25 FA Nasser Khodayari Shoti Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Paramedicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Majid Aslanabadi Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Paramedicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Background and aim: Spiritual health and striving for excellence has gained attention among scholars and health sociologists. Striving for excellence, defined as the human connection with God through trust (tawakkul) and good opinion of God, faith, seeking divine pleasure, pure intention, gratitude, humility, patience, piety, justice, prayer, remembrance of God, repentance, reflection, self-knowledge, and correct belief in the afterlife, along with the concept of a “healthy human” as the core of development, are among the key questions this article aims to address from the perspective of the Quran and Nahj al-Balagha. Materials and methods: This is a research study, and the discourse on spiritual health and striving for excellence, along with their impact on development, has not yet been fully structured. Accordingly, this study was conducted by directly referring to the literature of the Quran and Nahj al-Balagha, examining the conceptual relationship between spiritual health, striving for excellence, and development, centered on the concept of the “healthy human”. Findings: There is a significant relationship between development, spirituality, and health. In the Quran and Nahj al-Balagha, spirituality is a crucial dimension of both health and development. Within this framework, development serves as a tool to achieve striving for excellence and the comprehensive perfection of the human being. Conclusion: Spiritual health, which centers on the spiritual human within the process of social and economic development, plays two key roles: it is either the foundation of development or its ultimate goal. Therefore, if development lacks a goal of “excellence” or a foundation of “spirituality”, any structure built upon it will be unstable.

4 Islam And Health Journal 9 11 1 2026 6 1 Psychological experiences of women with cancer with an emphasize on expectations, needs, and challenges: A phenomenological study 26 40 FA Leila Barjasteh Department of Psychology and Counseling, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran Mohammad Hossein Fallah Department of Psychology and Counseling, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran Najmeh Sedrpoushan Department of Psychology and Counseling, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran Abolghasem Asimozneb Department of Education, Ya.C., Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran Cancer has long been recognized as a distressing, debilitating, and life-threatening disease, exerting profound negative effects on patients and their families across various societies. This qualitative study explores the psychological experiences of cancer patients, with a special focus on their expectations, needs, challenges, and opportunities in Kerman. Materials and methods: In the present study, the data were obtained through a qualitative research approach, involving in-depth interviews with 24 women diagnosed with cancer, aged 30 to 60 years in Kerman from October 2023 to September 2024, and participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured in-depth interviews, continuing until theoretical saturation was reached. For data analysis, thematic analysis was employed as the chosen research method. Findings: The results were categorized into five main themes: self-related experiences, family and social relationships, interactions with medical staff and hospital treatment processes, socio-economic concerns, and religious-spiritual issues. Additionally, 34 sub-themes emerged within these categories. Conclusion: The findings indicate that understanding the psychological experiences of cancer patients can help identify and validate their emotions and concerns, addressing their needs to prevent the progression of the disease. The interconnected or mediating factors within each component can contribute to greater reassurance and emotional relief, enhancing patients' ability to manage their experiences, mitigate negative emotions, and achieve acceptance.

4 Islam And Health Journal 9 11 1 2026 6 1 A systematic review of research conducted on the relationship between spiritual interventions and academic achievement 41 53 FA Shokofeh Abshirin Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran Seyedeh Kousar Mirali Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran Background and aim: Academic achievement is one of the most significant and, at the same time, most challenging educational topics and concepts, which has attracted the attention of many countries and has been the subject of numerous studies. In this regard, spirituality interventions have been recognized as one of the influential factors on academic achievement. This study aims to examine the relationship between components of spirituality and the outcome of academic achievement in students by analyzing published articles in this field. Materials and methods: The present research is a systematic review conducted using the PRISMA method and through searching reputable scientific databases such as ISC, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The search terms included "academic achievement" and "spirituality". After omitting irrelevant and duplicate articles, the final studies were selected based on precise inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data from these studies were published between 2013 and 2023. Findings: Spiritual interventions can serve as effective tools for improving individuals’ academic achievement. These interventions include religious practices such as prayer, supplication, and fasting. Research has shown that spiritual health and spirituality enhance students’ sense of hope and purpose regarding their academic progress. Conclusion: Components of spirituality, especially in religious contexts, can be effective tools in improving individuals’ academic achievement. Therefore, further research in this area is advised.

4 Islam And Health Journal 9 11 1 2026 6 1 Adverse Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Body Tissues and General Health: A Medical Perspective 54 66 FA Bahman Yousefi Department of Biochemistry & Clinical laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Mehran Molavand Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Background and aim: Alcohol consumption is widely recognized as one of the most significant public health threats globally, associated with a considerable burden of disease and mortality. The present article adopts a medical perspective to examine the adverse effects of alcohol on various body tissues and to elucidate the biological mechanisms involved in alcohol-induced tissue damage. Materials and methods: This review is based on epidemiological evidence, findings from preclinical studies and clinical trials, and reports from reputable international organizations such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Cancer Research Fund. It additionally examines the principal pathophysiological mechanisms. Findings: Epidemiological evidence indicates that alcohol consumption is directly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, brain injury, and liver diseases. Key pathophysiological mechanisms include the metabolism of alcohol into the toxic compound acetaldehyde, induction of oxidative stress, activation of chronic inflammatory pathways, impairment of DNA repair and synthesis, and alterations in epigenetic regulation. Even moderate alcohol consumption can lead to cumulative and, in some cases, irreversible tissue damage. Conclusion: The findings indicate that alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts, can cause serious and sometimes permanent damage to body tissues. This article emphasizes the necessity of implementing preventive strategies, including raising public awareness, community-based interventions, and policies aimed at restricting access to alcohol. Analytical tables and figures are incorporated throughout the manuscript to provide clearer mechanistic insights and statistical evidence.

4 Islam And Health Journal 9 11 1 2026 6 1 Disease prevention in the health teachings of the Infallibles (AS): A systematic analysis of hadiths with reference to contemporary medical science 67 77 FA Karim Ebrahimpour Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Background and aim: Health teachings derived from the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Infallibles (AS) extend far beyond mere treatment. Rather, they offer a comprehensive, preventive framework that establishes practical principles for a healthy life. This article aims to systematically analyze the narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) to elucidate and examine the rich body of Islamic health teachings, with particular emphasis on disease prevention. Materials and methods: The present study is a review article. To conduct it, all existing and authentic narrations on the subject were sourced from the Comprehensive Hadith Database (Jāme' al-Aḥādīth) and the Ghaemiyeh Digital Library. Additionally, scientific articles were retrieved from PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, along with relevant authoritative academic textbooks. Findings: The findings indicate that Islam, adopting a comprehensive and preventive approach, offers detailed health guidelines in various domains, adherence to which safeguards both individual and social welfare. The key themes identified include dietary hygiene (such as handwashing, avoiding overeating, and refraining from blowing on food), oral and dental care (regular toothbrushing and using toothpicks), body and clothing cleanliness, skin, hair, and nail care, household tidiness, and adherence to public hygiene standards. Conclusion: The health teachings of Islam rest on three fundamental pillars: giving precedence to prevention over treatment, integrating physical and spiritual well-being, and upholding social responsibility for public health. These principles, articulated long before the advent of modern medical science, not only resonate with contemporary scientific discoveries but also offer a complete framework for a healthy Islamic way of life. Disseminating and promoting these teachings can contribute to improved societal health and the reinforcement of religious identity.

4 Islam And Health Journal 9 11 1 2026 6 1 A comparative study of mental health and positive and negative mental well being based on personality types among young people in the city of Qom 78 89 FA Mohammadreza Ahmadi Department of Psychology, Imam Khomeini Institute, Qom, Iran Mohammad Aftabi Qom Seminary, Qom, Iran Mohammad Hosein Ayashm Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Background and aim: Decision-making regarding mental health across different personality types has become more complex in today's world. The aim of this study was to examine and compare mental health as well as positive and negative mental well-being across four personality types among young people in the city of Qom in 2025. Materials and methods: The present investigation employs a descriptive, causal-comparative design. The target population consisted of young people aged 14 to 24 years living in Qom. A total of 323 participants (159 male, 164 female) were recruited using a convenience cluster sampling approach. Data collection was carried out using validated standardized instruments for mental health assessment and personality typology. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software, version 26, with both descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, specifically multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), applied to address the research objectives. Findings: The results indicated that data distribution was normal, and there were significant differences across personality types in positive mental well-being, negative mental well-being, overall mental health score, somatic symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and depression scale (P< 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in social functioning impairment (P= 0.127). The Tukey post-hoc test indicated that the B personality type demonstrated superiority in positive and negative mental well-being and overall mental health compared to the other personality types. Conclusion: The present findings emphasize the importance of developing and delivering personality-specific psychological interventions and preventive strategies. Such approaches are essential for the effective promotion of mental health in young populations and for the timely identification and management of emerging psychological difficulties.

4 Islam And Health Journal 9 11 1 2026 6 1 Investigating the relationship between faith and vitality from the perspective of the Qur'an and the Ahl al-Bayt 90 103 FA Hamidreza Sohrabi Department of Islamic Studies, School of Medicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran Mohammad Elahi Department of Islamic Studies, School of Medicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran Background and aim: In the contemporary world, the rise of anxiety, despair, and psychological unrest has doubled the necessity of re-examining religious sources regarding the factors that foster vitality and inner peace. One of the fundamental concepts in this regard is "Faith" (Iman), which is introduced in the Qur'an as a life-giving and peace-inducing agent. The primary problem addressed in this research is to determine the correlation established by the Qur'an between faith and vitality, and to identify the defining characteristics of Qur'anic vitality. The objective of this study is to explain the conceptual and functional relationship between faith and vitality as presented in the Qur'an, and to extract the components of spiritual vitality from the relevant verses. Materials and methods: This research employs a descriptive-analytical method. It utilizes content analysis of Qur'anic verses and the lifestyle (Sira) of the Ahl al-Bayt, performing a conceptual analysis of terms related to faith, tranquility, joy, and the "Good Life" (Hayat al-Tayyibah). Findings: The findings indicate that faith, as presented in the Qur'an and the Sira of the Ahl al-Bayt, possesses not only a doctrinal dimension but also psychological and educational functions. Through components such as the remembrance of God (Dhikr), trust in God (Tawakkul), hope in divine mercy, patience in the face of hardships, and righteous deeds, faith lays the groundwork for inner tranquility and sustained vitality. Qur'anic vitality is a profound state of serenity (Tuma'ninah), contentment, and inner balance, which differs from fleeting and materialistic forms of joy. Conclusion: Based on Qur'anic teachings, faith serves as the fundamental cornerstone of genuine and sustainable human vitality. Consequently, strengthening faith can be proposed as a primary solution for achieving mental health and spiritual vitality in both individual and social life, and for fostering a vibrant, faith-based society.