Ma`rifat

Alienation is a philosophical, psychological, and social phenomenon with deep roots in both Islamic and Western philosophy. It occurs when humans distance themselves from their true identity and instead adopt an artificial one. This article, using a descriptive-analytical approach, examines the nature of humanity and the neglect of true identity from the perspective of Western philosophy and the Quran. It concludes that, despite diverse viewpoints, according to the Quran, humanity's true identity lies in their immaterial existence and divine nature (fitrah), which comprises three dimensions: insight (binesh), inclination (gerayesh), and capability (tavanesh.( Therefore, if humans distance themselves from their divine nature and its higher levels and instead actualize their animalistic faculties, they will experience alienation. If a person becomes neglectful of their divine nature in all three dimensions, complete alienation occurs; however, if it happens in only one or two dimensions, a partial form of alienation is realized. Thus, alienation is gradational, and its manifestation varies among individuals depending on the intensity of their neglect of the divine nature and its levels.