معرفت

True Shiites; Devoted to Religion, Far-Sighted and Good-Tempered

Ayatollah Allameh Mohammad Taghi Misbah

Abstract

Describing the characteristics of the pious and true Shiites in the narration of Nawf-e-Dakalī and in the sermon of the Mottaqiyan in Nahj al-Balaghah starts with mentioning three general attributes and characteristics: knowledge of God, obeying the divine orders, and practicing virtues. Then, Imam Ali elaborates on these attributes and their general examples, as well as the symbols, manifestations and behavioral signs of the attributes and moral virtues of the true Shi'ites. In order to explain their first and second characteristics, Imam Ali (pbuh) says: “Some of the signs of the true and righteous Shi'ites are that they are devoted and steadfast in religion; they are far-sighted, mild and compatible.”

Key words: real Shiites, divine duties, moral standards.

The Status and Components of Self-Worth in the Qur'an and Traditions

Mohammad Farhoush / Reza Mahkam / Ali Hemmat Benari

Abstract

Self-Worth is a sense of having value and ability. Explaining the status and components of self-worth in the Qur'an and narratives reveals its importance in Islamic ethics, as the Quran and narrations are the most important resource of Islamic ethics. Explaining the components of self-worth in the Qur'an and narrations prepares the ground for formulating strategies for strengthening it with an Islamic approach. Strengthening self-worth with the Islamic approach does not have many of the flaws of the secular psychological approach to self-worth. Using a "descriptive and analytical" method, this paper has collected and categorized the components of self-worth in the Quran and narratives. Some of these components are: a sense of inherent worthiness, a sense of ability through divine favor, a sense of value in the world, the resurrection and the hereafter through faith and righteous acts, self-knowledge, not expressing one’s needs to people and being merciful to people.

Key words: self-worth, self-esteem, sense of worth and ability, Islam

The Factors of the Dormancy of Innate Nature from
the Perspective of the Holy Quran

Ali Arefi Maskooni / Fatemeh Darvishi

Abstract

The Almighty God created mankind and placed in him an inner force and inclination towards goodness and right path. This inner force is called "nature". There are some people who move in a direction which is against their nature and thus go astray. The present paper has been written in order to identify the factors that lead to the deviation of nature from its original path. It has been written by using the "library-based" research methodology and referring to the Quranic commentary. Based on to Qur'anic verses, eleven factors (Satanic temptations, negligence, arrogance and selfishness, illusionism, secularism, darkness of heart, pursuing sensual passions, unsuitable friends, personalism, unwise conformity with the ignorant majority, and the severing of the link between faith and family) have been investigated as the factors causing the extinguishment of the light of nature. In the end, some ways have been proposed to prevent these deviations.

Key words: nature, satanic temptations, neglect, deviation, aberration.

Factors for Strengthening Will Power and Increasing the Power of Action

Mohammad Alemzadeh Nouri

Abstract

The power of action, which is also interpreted as "human will power", is an acquired, graded, and increasable truth. Acquiring will power is not intrinsic or accidental, rather, its existence, continuity and growth depends on human’s endeavor. Thus, we must study the factors of appearance, stability and strength of action. There are several ways to strengthen the power of action: First, remembering and paying attention, which has different forms (personal remembering, remembering through others, remembering through observing others' actions, remembering through practical experience, and remembering through association of meanings); Second, overcoming sensual passions and weakening the disturbing desires; Third, exercising will power and action; Fourth, making a detailed action plan. These factors are absolutely beneficial to the strengthening of will, however they do not consider the element of faith; that is, they are also useful and effective in a secular or non- religious environment. In addition to these factors, one can identify factors that reinforce the will related to God, and are more in line with faith. That is, they simultaneously increase both faith and the power of action. By virtue of these factors, both the power of faithful action (piety) or faith in action (worship) are strengthened. The ways of simultaneous strengthening of faith and action are: first, avoiding sins and sensual passions for the sake of God; second, sincerity in action; third, trust in God; fourth, listening to advice; fifth, prayer, supplication, and seeking divine assistance; sixth, commitment, self-vigilance and self-analysis; seventh, communication with the faithful.

Key words: Islamic ethics and education, will, action, self-development.

Determining the Moral Roots of Law –Breaking
by Managers and Employees from the View Point of Islam

Ali Baghi Nasrabadi / Sayyed Razi Sayyednezhad

Abstract

Law is the basis for the consistency and stability of the society and its organizations, and without law, organizations and institutions will face serious harms and problems, and consequently, will have ahead of them a difficult and tortuous path towards development, growth, prosperity and peace. Numerous and varied factors play a role in law- breaking and legal offenses of managers and employees in organizations. The purpose of this study is to help overcome this crisis by examining the ethical causes of law- breaking by managers and employees in organizations from the point of view of the reviving school of Islam. In this paper, a descriptive and analytical method has been used to explain the ethical causes of legal offences of managers and employees in organizations. The results of the study showed that the weakening of some virtues as well as the prevalence of some moral vices, such as following the sensual passions, cupidity and greed for material wealth, love of power and position, ambition and ostentation, bias and favorotism towards relatives and friends, low level of tolerance, the fear of superiors, and personal motives of managers and employees in the organization prevent them from complying with the organizational rules and regulations .Practical and appropriate measures should be taken to promote organizational ethics and to come up with an effective solution to this problem .

Key words: law, abiding by law, breaking law, ethics, organization.

Studying the Norms of Sexual Morality
in Marital Life from the Point of View of Islam

Mohammad Saeed Karami

Abstract

This research has been conducted to identify sexual norms in marital life. For this purpose, the Holy Qur'an and a large collection of narrations were studied. The verses related to sexual matters were extracted from the Qur'an and, after reviewing the extracted verses, the keyword was selected in accordance with the topics. Finally, the moral norms related to sexual relations were identified. Using the library-based approach, the present study has discovered the principles of sexual morality in marital life and has considered the proportionality of these principles with monotheistic reason in all areas. Justice, chastity, friendship, mercy, dignity and zeal are some of the ethical principles that are raised with regard to sexual issues in the Qur'an and the traditions.

Key words: sexual ethics, moral norm, moral principle, applied ethics, Islam

The Ontological Realm of the Moral Agent Responsibility

Javad Danesh

Abstract

Apart from the conditions for moral responsibility and the normative question regarding the relationship between this type of responsibility and the determination and necessity of the pre-eternal cause or the a priori and infallible divine knowledge, which has been one of the most interesting and challenging topics of moral philosophy in recent centuries, the scope of such responsibility and its foundation are among the key issues in this field. This paper attempts to investigate the scope of the responsibility of moral agent in Islamic perspective by relying on the analysis of religious doctrines. The moral responsibility of man is organized based on the servitude of man, and its broad realm extends so much in the universe that, on the one hand, it includes the obligations and duties of the moral agent before God and his obligations and prohibitions imposed by him, and on the other hand, it indicates the responsibility of man to himself and to the smallest and most hidden intents, thoughts, suppositions and beliefs, feelings and emotions, actions derived from one’s emotions or beliefs and, ultimately, to the other creatures around him.

Key words: moral responsibility, worship, emotions, intentions.