Ma`rifat

Religious studies is a scientific field that responds to questions about religion, including the definition of religion, the cause of its emergence or inclination towards it, and why people need religion. Muslim and Christian theologians each present answers to these questions. Khwāja Nasīr al-Dīn al-Tūsī is a Shiite theologian and philosopher of the seventh century. He does not provide a substantive definition of religion but rather emphasizes the functions of religion, from which we can derive his definition and view of religion. He holds that the origin of religion is the divine attributes of perfection, including absolute goodness, wisdom, guidance, and generosity. Regarding the cause of people's inclination towards religion, he considers human nature to be the reason. He also specifies various reasons for the necessity of religion, including the need for a righteous ruler, the prevention of evil and corruption, the need for education, and etc.