Page 54 - EJMO-9-1

Eurasian Journal of Medicine
and Oncology

REVIEW ARTICLE
Prophetic medicine: An integrative medicine

model

Saud M. Alsanad*
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
(IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract
Integrative medicine (IM) aims to create a comprehensive healthcare system by
combining conventional medicine with complementary and alternative approaches.
This model prioritizes patients, emphasizing the importance of the doctor–patient
relationship. By integrating the most beneficial elements of both conventional
and complementary medicine, patients can benefit from enhanced therapeutic
outcomes while minimizing risks associated with their combination. Given this
complexity, patients need access to qualified IM practitioners who can provide
guidance on the potential benefits and drawbacks of these combined approaches.
One notable complementary approach is prophetic medicine (PM), particularly
prevalent in Muslim communities. This practice offers preventive and curative
treatments based on the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad. Its global
recognition is on the rise, attracting increasing interest from scientists regarding its
potential benefits. For instance, cupping therapy, a technique employed in PM, has
*Corresponding author: been shown to offer advantages over conventional medications for various ailments,
Saud M. Alsanad including pain management and blood conditions, such as thalassemia, offering
(smsanad@imamu.edu.sa)
potentially superior outcomes. A precise delineation of the scope of PM practices is
Citation: Alsanad SM. Prophetic crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies employed, their
medicine: An integrative medicine
model. Eurasian J Med Oncol. potential integration into contemporary healthcare systems, and the multifaceted
2025;9(1):46-63. factors influencing patient outcomes. By combining conventional medical practices
doi: 10.36922/ejmo.6765 with the principles of PM, IM can provide a more holistic approach to patient care.
Received: November 30, 2024 Hence, this paper explores this new model, its diverse applications, and its potential
impact on IM.
Revised: January 14, 2025
Accepted: February 3, 2025
Keywords: Prophetic medicine; Islamic medicine; Integrative medicine; Health policy;
Published online: February 20, Holistic medicine
2025
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution 1. Introduction
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), or non-conventional medicine,
provided the original work is encompasses a wide array of healthcare practices not integrated into a country’s
properly cited. dominant healthcare system. The foundation of CAM is diverse, drawing from folk
1
Publisher’s Note: AccScience wisdom, spiritual beliefs, and various philosophical ideas. Examples include traditional
Publishing remains neutral with Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurvedic medicine, and Arabic-Unani medicine. Within
2
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional the Islamic context, prophetic medicine (PM) represents a distinct form of CAM based
affiliations. on the words, teachings, and actions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). PM encompasses

Volume 9 Issue 1 (2025) 46 doi: 10.36922/ejmo.6765