Objective: Science and technology policymakers constantly assess their success and failure by referring to their rankings based on various indicators. However, on one hand, these indicators are individual and the different dimensions and components of science have not been integrated into a unified framework, and on the other hand, the theoretical framework of composite indicators is formulated differently based on various foundations. Therefore, the aim of the present research is to design a composite indicator for measuring science based on the Islamic formulation of science.

Methodology: The ten-step methodology for constructing a composite index, as presented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), has been the foundation for this research. This methodology starts with the development of a theoretical framework and ends with the presentation and dissemination of the index. In this study, the theoretical framework of the index was developed by formulating the perspectives of three Islamic thinkers (Imam Khomeini, Martyr Motahari, and Ayatollah Khamenei) using thematic analysis, with an inductive-deductive approach, and ultimately through a collective reading of the formulations. The other steps were also carried out in accordance with the aforementioned methodology.

Findings: The two concepts of "Being powerful" and "being a chain" explain the nature of science from the perspective of Islamic thinkers, which lead to the drawing of three dimensions of "intellectual and scientific reference", "strong economic system" and "honorable social political system" as the dimensions of science. It happens in social life. These dimensions, with their 12 variables and 36 corresponding indicators,