Research Paper
Quran and Quranic teachings
Habibullah Halimi Jolodar; fateme Qorbani laktarashani; sakineh abbasi karani
Abstract
Examining the meaning of the words in the Quran plays an important and special role in understanding the purpose of God and the precise application of divine commands. The present study has analyzed the word " Savval" in the Quran by using the method of description and analysis. The word " Savval" which, ...
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Examining the meaning of the words in the Quran plays an important and special role in understanding the purpose of God and the precise application of divine commands. The present study has analyzed the word " Savval" in the Quran by using the method of description and analysis. The word " Savval" which, in the dictionary analysis, contains the meaning of beguiling and embellishing, has many semantic fields in common. The use of this word in the Quran warns the audience about it and warns the believers about the possibility of falling into the trap of "Tasvil". This word emphasizes on multiplicity and gradualness in four verses and in the chapter "Tafa'il", it has been used and had a meaningful association with the words "Satan" and "Nafs". Therefore, in order to investigate the semantic fields involved with the word " Savval ", it was investigated its substitutes, which include the words "zayin", "Izlal", "Iqvae", "nazgh" and "vasvasah". In the end, the conclusion was reached that each of the companion and substitute words play a significant role in the semantic range of the word " Savval " and the concept of "Tasvil" in a specific way.
Research Paper
Quran and Quranic teachings
Mohammad Kazem Shaker
Abstract
“Life satisfaction” is one of the ideals of each person and community to achieve “individual comfort” and “social peace”. Since human being is a social being, mutual satisfaction between people who interact with each other is one of the most important factors for the ...
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“Life satisfaction” is one of the ideals of each person and community to achieve “individual comfort” and “social peace”. Since human being is a social being, mutual satisfaction between people who interact with each other is one of the most important factors for the fulfillment of “life satisfaction”. When speaking of “satisfaction” as a descriptive word for two-sided relations, one side is described as “well-pleased” (Arabic: RAZI) and the other is described as “well-pleasing unto him/her” (Arabic: MARZI). Therefore, three assumptions can be considered for each mutual relation: (1) both sides are well-pleased (razi) with one another, so each side is also described as well-pleasing (marzi) unto the other side; (2) one side is well-pleased and the other side is unpleased. This assumption practically is divided into two sub-assumptions (i.e., in one assumption, A is pleased and B is unpleased, and in the other assumption B is pleased while A is unpleased), so one side is also well-pleasing unto the other and not the vice versa; (3) both sides are unpleased, so none of them is described as well-pleasing unto the other one too. It is obvious that the first assumption is the best one and the third is the worst. We must try to replace the third position with the second one and then the second position with the first one. But the question is how it is possible.
Research Paper
Quran and Quranic teachings
Mohammad Reza Aram
Abstract
Recognition the relationship of the verses inside a surah and structural research of that surah are new approaches that although there were detailed in earlier commentaries, but has been considered so seriously by more recent Qur’ān scholars. According to the science of surah recognition, every ...
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Recognition the relationship of the verses inside a surah and structural research of that surah are new approaches that although there were detailed in earlier commentaries, but has been considered so seriously by more recent Qur’ān scholars. According to the science of surah recognition, every surah has a purpose and its own specific main subject, so that the all verses of surah circulate around it thereby the meaningful relationship between its verses are recognised. In this study, according to the method of surah recognition, the conceptive structure of the two Surahs Nās and ʿAṣr and the links and reciprocal interaction between the two surahs Nās and Falaq as a case study are reviewed. Therefore, this research revolves around two axes: Methodology of structural research in the Qur’ān; including topics like: Stages and principles of structural research, thematic units (Rukūʿāt) and gradual revelation of the Qur’ān, linkage and connection between the surahs, thematic axis or basic subject of surahs, difference between structural research and interpretation, and at the end of this paper, the meaning and structural cognition of the two Surahs Nās and ʿAṣr are discussed. Based on this research, the exact semantic connection between Surah Nās and Falaq was extracted, and then Surah ʿAṣr was conceptualized using the method of pondering (tadabbur); and as a result, it was concluded that Surah ʿAṣr, despite its small volume, is the most comprehensive and complete Surah of the Qur’an, which contains heavenly and life-giving Quranic teachings.
Research Paper
Quran and Quranic teachings
enayat sharifi; Hossein Sharifi
Abstract
Self-awareness is one of the key issues in life that every individual must possess for progress and advancement in their lives. It is highlighted in the Quran with terms such as insight and self-forgetfulness, and it is based on theological, ontological, and anthropological foundations. Each of these ...
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Self-awareness is one of the key issues in life that every individual must possess for progress and advancement in their lives. It is highlighted in the Quran with terms such as insight and self-forgetfulness, and it is based on theological, ontological, and anthropological foundations. Each of these foundations has educational effects. The present study discusses the anthropological foundations of self-awareness in dimensions such as insight, orientation, and values, and aims to address the following questions:
What are the cognitive foundations of self-awareness in the Quran, and what are their educational functions?
What are the orientation foundations of self-awareness in the Quran, and what are their educational functions?
What are the values foundations of self-awareness in the Quran, and what are their educational functions?
Background
Regarding the significant importance of this research, numerous activities have been carried out in the field of psychology with a religious approach, such as the book "Comparative Self-Awareness from the Perspective of Islam and Psychology" by Fatemeh Esfandiari, the book "Self-Awareness" by Samad Shah Mohammadi, the book "Self-Awareness and Self-Management" by Masoud Noorali Zadeh, the book "From Self-Awareness to Self-Knowledge" by Shahrbano Ghahhari, and articles like "The Relationship between Self-Awareness and God-Awareness" by Noorali Zadeh Miyaneji, Bashiri, and Jan Bozorgi in the Psychology and Religion Journal, no.19, article on the effectiveness of teaching self-awareness from the perspective of Islamic teachings on reducing students' psychological pressure by Amir Hossein Mousavi in the Psychology Studies Journal, no. 30, article on self-awareness and its educational functions in improving human social relationships in the Quran and Hadith by Fatemeh Saifali'i in issue 2 of volume 2 of the Journal of Educational Teachings in the Quran and Hadith, and others. However, no work has yet delved into the Quranic foundations that provide a fundamental and root-based look at this issue and its educational effects. It seems that this article may be the first work to address this topic.
Methodology
In this research, a descriptive-analytical method has been used to evaluate and analyze the main concepts including various dimensions of cognitive human foundations, self-awareness, and their educational effects in detail. This analytical method allows us to delve into a better understanding of the cognitive human foundations in dimensions such as attitude, orientation, values, self-awareness, and their educational effects from the perspective of the Holy Quran.
General Research Findings
Cognitive human foundations of self-awareness in the Quran are divided into attitude, orientation, and values foundations.
The dual existence of human from body and soul, human's free will, and purposefulness are among the most important attitude foundations that significantly impact the fulfilling self-awareness and have educational effects such as attention to physical and spiritual dimensions, assisting human in the path of perfection, and enhancing human resilience, patience, and self-esteem. Purposefulness is directly related to self-awareness because without self-awareness, achieving one's goals and ultimate purpose is not possible, and without consideration of the hearafter, reaching the final goal is not achievable.
Human nature and pure temperament, awareness of capacities, abilities, and shortcomings are among the most vital orientation cognitive human foundations that have a significant impact on the realization of self-awareness and have educational functions such as awareness of capacities, talents, and shortcomings as the starting point of self-awareness, recognizing capacities and shortcomings leading to strengthening confidence, increasing self-belief, and self-awareness.
Human dignity, caliphate, and vicegerency of God are among the crucial values-based cognitive human foundations, each of which has a direct relationship with self-awareness and results in feelings of worthiness, self-esteem, and social status in society.
Final Conclusion
Cognitive human foundations of self-awareness in the Quran are divided into attitude, orientation, and values foundations, each of which has educational effects.
Research Paper
Quran and Quranic teachings
Seyed Hamed Alizadeh Mousavi
Abstract
Myth in the Quran is one of the topics that has been studied by western Qurʾānic scholars. The new studies of Western scholars have investigated this issue with different approaches and methods, sometimes with a contextual approach and sometimes with a phenomenological approach. In the meantime, Karen ...
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Myth in the Quran is one of the topics that has been studied by western Qurʾānic scholars. The new studies of Western scholars have investigated this issue with different approaches and methods, sometimes with a contextual approach and sometimes with a phenomenological approach. In the meantime, Karen Armstrong, using the principles and characteristics of the phenomenological approach, has studied the myth in religions, especially in Islam and the Qurʾān. She considers all the events mentioned in the holy books of the three Abrahamic monotheistic religions to be myths, although there may be historical events behind them, but over centuries this historical event has become the source of religious inspiration and the center of religious spirituality. To transform and enter the lives and hearts of believing and worshiping generations, it must be recreated in the form of a myth along with actions and rituals. Karen Armstrong is a British author and commentator who has written many works in the field of Islam and the Quran. The comparative and phenomenological approach to religion is one of the main characteristics of her works. Like other mythologists, she introduces myth as an event that once happened in some way, but at the same time always happens. According to her, an event should be freed from the shackles of a certain period and enter the lives of contemporary worshipers, because otherwise it will remain a unique and unrepeatable event, or a strange historical event that does not connect with the lives of others. In other words, the key point of the view of this group of orientalists about the relationship between myth and historical event can be summarized in the following sentence: "As long as a historical event has not become a myth, it cannot become a source of religious inspiration." As the title and content of this research indicate, the subject matter pertains to Karen Armstrong's phenomenological approach to Quranic narratives and their relationship to the concept of myth. The research aims to not only compare her perspective with the methodological principles of phenomenology but also to critically evaluate it. Previous studies on this topic can be broadly divided into two categories: Western studies on myth in the Quran and Islamic studies that critique Western scholars' views on this issue. The research in the first category constitutes the primary sources for this research, along with other critical studies among the various critiques offered by Muslim scholars; the contextual approach employed by Western scholars has received particular attention. This approach has been extensively discussed by scholars such as Angelika Neuwirth in the Encyclopedia of the Quran. In response, several articles have been written critiquing and examining this perspective. But the analysis of Armstrong's point of view based on phenomenological approach is a subject that has been rarely discussed and this research can be considered one of the initial critical studies in this regard. In contrast to Western scholars, Muslim scholars and exegetes have primarily focused on the concept of "Asāṭīr al-Awwalīn" (اساطیر الاولین) when addressing the issue of myth in the Quran. They have sought to explain this concept within the Quranic framework. The majority of Muslim exegetes define Asāṭīr as the writings of the ancients about their own lives, including their history, speeches, stories, and events. Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī (d. 1209 CE) identifies this definition as the view held by the majority of exegetes. However, what is studied under the title of myth in the western Qurʾānic studies has other criteria and indicators that are determined by contextual and phenomenological approaches. Using library sources and descriptive-analytical method, this article aims to examine Armstrong's view of myth in the Quran by emphasizing the methodological principles of the phenomenological approach and evaluate it in the form of a case study. The principle of autonomy or independence, which expresses the uniqueness of the realm of the sacred and its experience, is one of the most important methodological principles of the phenomenological approach. Emphasizing this principle, Armstrong considers the language and realm of the Qurʾān to be different from the language and realm of experimental and social affairs, and this is where she finds her way to mythological or symbolic language. Relying on the comparative method, which is one of the methodological principles of the phenomenological approach, Armstrong compares Islam and Christianity and, in this way, pays attention to the character of Jesus and the mythological issues created by Paul. She tries to present a view similar to her own view of Christianity by presenting three introductions: The Prophet being the successor of Christ, the Qurʾān's non-opposition to myth and the moral function of the stories of the Qurʾān. In this way, the Quran, by presenting a mythological image of the Prophet of Islam and other prophets, tries to bring these characters out of the confinement of those times and places and repeat them for all ages. In addition to the criticisms that were expressed regarding the symbolic nature of the language of the Quran and the effectiveness of a belief in the lives of believers as a criterion of truth, Armstrong's comparison between the Prophet of Islam and the Jesus has been criticized.
Research Paper
Quran and Quranic teachings
saleh hasanzadeh; Ali Karbalaeipazoki; Ali Abedi Renani
Abstract
Significant advancements in empirical sciences have intensified feelings of self-forgetfulness, emptiness, meaninglessness, stress, and loneliness in humans. As a result, individuals in our time more than any other time need a solid foundation for guidance. The belief in "Mahdism," which is a common ...
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Significant advancements in empirical sciences have intensified feelings of self-forgetfulness, emptiness, meaninglessness, stress, and loneliness in humans. As a result, individuals in our time more than any other time need a solid foundation for guidance. The belief in "Mahdism," which is a common belief among all Abrahamic religions and has a special prominence in Shia Islam, can serve as a strong and salvific foundation against cognitive, ethical, and psychological crises with utmost effectiveness. In this article, we delve into the various dimensions of this idea from the perspective of Quranic verses and Islamic narrations and its role in addressing various crises in modern society, as well as addressing some intellectual doubts rose against this idea. By referencing religious and rational sources, we will analyze and elucidate the Islamic perspective on the Mahdi and his revolutionary efforts.Modern humans desire peace, wisdom, and justice, which are lofty ideals. Based on historical texts and religious narrations, Imam Mahdi is a figure who will realize these ideals and overthrow the adversaries. Imam Mahdi will establish a government based on justice that will encompass the entire world. He will actualize the Quranic invitation: "Say, O! People of the Book come to a word that is equitable between us and you." (Quran, 3:64).Religious evidence indicates that Imam Mahdi establishes an ideal relationship among individuals and eliminates discord, oppression, and ignorance. He establishes a government based on kindness and mercy by actualizing the Quranic verse "The believers are brothers" (Quran, 49:10). There are over three thousand hadiths from the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and the impeccable Imams specifically related to the topic of the Imam of the Time. These hadiths can be found in Shia and Sunni texts. It is noteworthy that many renowned Sunni scholars have published specialized books on the topic of the Imam Zaman (AS). Throughout history, the concept of anticipation and hope for a brighter future has been a common belief among nations and religions and will continue to be so. This outlook is intrinsic to humanity. However, the difference lies in the representative of civilization and the leader of global sovereignty. Within the framework of Shia thought, emphasis is placed on the honorable Imam who experiences the hardships of life like any other individual. He holds authority among the people and is a partner in their joys and sorrows. There are two distinct forms of anticipation. The first type is recognized as effective, empowering, and enduring anticipation, which can even be considered a form of selflessness and service to the truth. On the other hand, the second type of anticipation is deemed sinful, destructive, and paralyzing, ultimately leading to captivity.In the contemporary era, there is an increasing consensus that a global leader is necessary to address the multiple crises we are facing. This leader will have the ability to eradicate wars, conflicts, power abuse, colonialism, and other forms of injustice and inequality. However, it is essential to identify an individual with the necessary qualities to fulfill this important role. The global leader who will bear this immense responsibility must serve as a role model.Critics of Shiism believe that according to the beliefs of this school of thought, the hidden Imam must now have lived for almost twelve centuries, which is impossible for any human being. In response, it must be clarified that this criticism is merely based on the improbability of such a scenario, not its impossibility. In fact, a lifespan of this length or even longer is usually impossible, but not logically impossible. However, those who delve into the hadiths of the Prophet of Islam and the impeccable Imams find that they describe this life as miraculous. A miracle is by no means impossible, and it cannot be refuted with scientific arguments. Furthermore, it is strange that these criticisms arise from the People of the Book, including Jews, Christians, and some Muslims, as they themselves accept the miracles of the prophets of God based on their holy scriptures.According to the Islamic traditions and Quranic verses, it can be concluded that Imam Mahdi will appear to restore the position of the heavenly book and the teachings of the Prophet of Islam. He will establish global justice and renew the spiritual essence of the religious community. These are issues that no prophet has succeeded in fully realizing. The real life of the book and tradition lies in implementing global justice. The ultimate goal and purpose of God in creation will be fully realized through the most selfless servants, reformers, and devoted followers of the Prophet of Islam.Imam Mahdi will begin his mission by inviting people to a healthy and civilized life through faith. People worldwide, tired of the trials and tribulations of life and disillusioned with the emptiness of human ideologies, will respond eagerly and wholeheartedly to the call of Mahdi and strive to develop their mental powers and deepen their religious knowledge. Therefore, with determined resolve, leadership, and steadfast support from his loyal followers, Mahdi is poised to create a fundamental framework for a global governing body that upholds justice. The ultimate goal of Islam is to establish global justice (Quran, 57:25). God's definitive promise of victory guarantees the completion of Islam's historical philosophy, especially the triumph of the oppressed: "We wanted to bestow favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and inheritors." (Quran, 28:5) Belief in the Mahdi not only guarantees a hopeful outlook on the future of the world and humanity but also signifies a fundamental progress towards intellectual growth and maturity
Research Paper
Quran and Quranic teachings
Fatemeh Vojdani; Alireza Golmohamdpour Lori,
Abstract
All the verses of the Qur'an have valuable implications for guiding the mankind. The purpose of this study was to extract the components and aims of blame in the Holy Quran. The research method was a descriptive-analytical study in the Qur'an with the Qur'an interpretation, Al-Mizan. According to the ...
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All the verses of the Qur'an have valuable implications for guiding the mankind. The purpose of this study was to extract the components and aims of blame in the Holy Quran. The research method was a descriptive-analytical study in the Qur'an with the Qur'an interpretation, Al-Mizan. According to the findings, cognitive component of blame was knowledge about: the human, divine attributes, divine blessings, divine traditions, the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), good and bad, and strategies for correcting wrongdoers. Emotional component of blame obtained as: self-shame, shame in front of God, guilty, inferiority, and regret. Behavioral component of blame were: questioning, showing off your favor to someone, labeling, to humiliate, rational justifying, arousing and drawing attention to speech, expressing disgust, giving an example, comparing, repeating, and explaining. Also some objectives and goals (correcting the thinking method, strengthening faith in God, paying attention to the resurrection, nurturing the faith in the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), respecting and obeying him, understanding the ugliness of one's sins, feeling remorse and decision to repentance, and doing good and avoiding wrongdoings) and the ultimate aim (guiding mankind toward the true happiness) were achieved. So, blame in Qur’an leads to informing the sinner and make him feel remorse and encourage him to repent.
Research Paper
Quran and Quranic teachings
Ebrahim Ebrahimi; Fatemeh Dastranj; fereiduon rezaei
Abstract
Introduction
The dispersion of opinions on the issue of reciting the Basmalah aloud or in silence has become one of the areas of divergence of Islamic schools of thought, and the main reason for this dispute doubts the revelatory nature of the Basmalah and its being a part of every chapter ...
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Introduction
The dispersion of opinions on the issue of reciting the Basmalah aloud or in silence has become one of the areas of divergence of Islamic schools of thought, and the main reason for this dispute doubts the revelatory nature of the Basmalah and its being a part of every chapter of the Qur'an. According to some definitive narratives that agree with rational axioms, the Basmalah is an essential part of the Qur’anic chapters. The Sirah of the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions, especially Imam Ali (AS) was based on reciting the Basmalah out loud, and any doubt about this issue paves the way for distortion of the Qur’an. However, in some Sunni sources, there is a hadith that contradicts what was mentioned above, as it indicates that Imam Ali (AS) recited the Basmalah in silence.
Research Question(s)
Literature Review
The background of this research can be divided into two general and specific parts. Generally, it can be done through the books of hadith and interpretation in which narrations and discussions about the Basmalah were mentioned specifically, the following research can be mentioned:
“The Possibility of the Basmala being a Verse from the Shia and Sunni Perspectives” by Zahra Askarzadeh.
“A Translation and Criticism of the Entry “Basmalah” in the Encyclopedia of the Holy Qur’an” by Bibi Sadat Behabadi and Hujjatullah Javani.
“Study and Analysis of Sheikh Baha’i’s Narrations and Criticisms in the Interpretation of ‘Urwah al-Wuthqā in the Unity of the Surahs and Partial-Nature of Basmalah” by Muhammad Ali Tajari and Muhammad Taghaddomi Saberi.
“Examination of the Opinions of Jurists, Commentators and Traditions of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) Regarding the Verse Bismillah al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm” by Muhammad Qorbani Moghaddam.
“The Ontology of the Basmalah as an Introduction to Creating an Ontology of the Teachings of the Qur’an” by Hossein Hosseinzadeh.
“Investigation of the Partial-Nature of the Basmalah to Surahs of the Qur’an” by Muhammad Qorbani Moghaddam.
“The Verse of Basmalah, its Continuation and Revelation” by Hojjatullah ʻĀshūrī.
“Partial-Nature of the Basmalah and it’s Aloud Recitation” by Jafar Sobhani.
As it was mentioned, the basic problem in suggesting the partial or non-partial nature of the Basmalah, and thus the belief in its aloud or silent recitation, goes back to the conflicting narrations mentioned in this regard, and the problem remains until these narrations are scrutinized in terms of the chain of transmission and the text, and the research in this regard is only a repetition of the previous researches. The difference between this article and the other researches is that it examines the narration related to the silent recitation of the Basmalah narrated from Imam Ali (AS), in terms of the chain of transmission (Sanad) and the text, which has not been written in this regard until now.
Methodology
This article aims to critically re-read the non-existence of Basmalah in the Qur’anic surahs using a descriptive-analytical method, based on the analysis of the chain of transmission and the text of the relevant narration.
Results
The results of the research show that the aforementioned narration contains some serious problems. A: There is a major problem regarding its chain of transmission; because among the transmitters there are narrators who have been severely criticized by Sunni scholars. B: Some of the narrators are attributed to the Shias, and this contains a contradiction; because what they say completely contradicts the teachings of the Imams (AS) and his habit of reciting the Basmalah aloud. C: Analysis of historical reports indicates that the claim of dropping the Basmalah from prayer occurred under a calculated process initiated and supported by the Umayyad regime and with the policy of erasing Alawite monuments. Therefore, the possibility of falsification in these narrations becomes stronger.
Conclusion
According to the findings of this research, the aforementioned hadiths contain some serious problems. First: It has major problems in terms of the chain of transmission; because among the transmitters there are narrators who have been severely criticized by Sunni scholars. Second: Some of the narrators were attributed to Shias, and this contradicts the authentic hadiths that state that the Shia Imams (AS) considered the Basmalah to be part of the surahs of the Qur’an and therefore they used to recite it out loud. Finally, historical reports indicate that the idea of dropping the Basmalah emerged during a calculated process initiated and supported by the Umayyad regime. Therefore, there is a high possibility of Waḍʻ and Tadlīs (fabrication) in these narrations
