Islamic Sciences

The science of Islamic jurisprudence — deriving and detailing the practical rulings of worship and dealings from the sources of the Sharia.

The science of prophetic traditions — collecting, classifying, and authenticating reports of the Prophet's words, actions, and approvals.

The discipline of explaining and interpreting the meanings of the Quran, drawing on language, context, hadith, and the reports of the early scholars.

The science of the higher objectives of Islamic law — protecting religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property — used to guide rulings toward human welfare.

The collective sciences of the Quran — its revelation, compilation, recitation, abrogation, occasions of revelation, and interpretation.

The science of Islamic creed — articulating the articles of faith concerning God, angels, books, messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree.

The science of Islamic inheritance — calculating the fixed shares of heirs as ordained in the Quran; praised as half of all knowledge.

Islamic scholastic theology — defending and expounding the doctrines of faith through reasoned argument and dialectic.

The science of timekeeping — determining the prayer times, qibla direction, and the start of lunar months through astronomical observation and calculation.

The science of the canonical variant readings of the Quran, documenting their transmission, rules, and the chains of the reciters.

The biographical science of hadith narrators — examining their lives, reliability, and dates to evaluate the soundness of chains of transmission.

The science of Quranic recitation — the rules governing the correct pronunciation, articulation, and rhythm of reciting the Quran.

The science of divine oneness — studying the unity of God, His names and attributes, and the affirmation of pure monotheism.

Arabic grammar and syntax — the science of how words function in sentences and the case endings (i'rab) that express meaning; essential for understanding the Quran.

The legal maxims of jurisprudence — broad principles that summarise many rulings, such as "matters are judged by their intentions".

The science of the Prophet Muhammad's biography — the detailed study of his life, character, campaigns, and mission as a model for Muslims.

The principles and methodology of Quranic interpretation — the sources, rules, and conditions that govern sound exegesis.

Arabic literature and belles-lettres — the body of prose and poetry, and more broadly refined manners and culture cultivated by the educated.

The science of Arabic prosody — the metres and rhythmic patterns of classical poetry, established by al-Khalil ibn Ahmad.

Arabic rhetoric and eloquence — the science of effective, beautiful expression, central to appreciating the inimitable style of the Quran.

Islamic philosophy — the tradition of reasoned inquiry into existence, the soul, and ethics, developed by thinkers such as al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Rushd.

The science of Islamic ethics — the study of virtues and vices and the cultivation of noble character, drawing on revelation and reflection.

The science of genealogy — tracing lineages of tribes and families, important for hadith narration, inheritance, and Arab history.

Islamic astronomy — the study of the heavens and celestial movements, advanced greatly by Muslim scientists and applied to religious timekeeping.

The science of the Arabic language — its vocabulary, lexicography, and meanings, used to understand the texts of revelation.

The Islamic science of history — recording and critically examining events, dynasties, and lives of notable figures. Pioneered by al-Tabari and Ibn Khaldun.

The science of logic — the rules of valid reasoning, adopted into Islamic scholarship as a tool for theology and jurisprudence.

Arabic morphology — the science of word forms and how roots are transformed into different patterns and derivatives.

The science of sourcing hadith — locating a report in its original collections, documenting its chains, and assessing its grade of authenticity.

The "foundations of religion" — the science of the fundamental principles of belief, closely related to theology (kalam) and creed.