Foundations of Altruistic Behavior in the Holy Quran; According to al-Mizan

Document Type : Scholarly Article

Authors

1 Graduated from the Master's Degree in Theoretical Foundations of Islam, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Theology and Religions, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding author).

3 Associate Professor, Department of Theology and Religions, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Self-sacrifice is the highest social moral values and virtues, which, in addition to the spiritual and personal development of the individual, leads to the provision of collective benefits and helps to solve social problems and the cohesion of society. Although the effects and benefits of self-sacrifice have been investigated, the conceptualizing the self-sacrificing behavio still needs to be carefully examined. The purpose of the research is to explain the foundations of altruistic behavior in the Holy Quran based on the Al-Mizan. The research method is descriptive-analytical. In this study to achieve the goal, 26 analysis units (selected verses) in their context (324 verses) in Al-Mizan were analyzed analytically. Based on the findings, cognitive foundations and emotional-attitude foundations were obtained, each in six axes (cognitions and emotions towards God, towards oneself, towards the life of this world, towards the afterlife, towards others, and towards the altruistic behavior) were categorized and analyzed. Also, practical commitment was discussed as another fundation. It was also found that the existence of faith traits (such as: benevolence, honesty, keeping promises, patience, etc.) also facilitate the issuance of selfless behavior. All achieved cases was placed under the concept of faith. Also, it was found that the realization of this situation requires a primary emotional purity (absence of emotional obstacles such as arrogance, superiority, and rebelliousness) that enables submission to the truth. According to the results of this research, selfless behavior is a complex behavior that originates from multiple sources, and the educational program for cultivating selflessness should be carefully designed according to this behavior’s foundations.

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References

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