نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسنده
دانشیار گروه علوم سیاسی، پژوهشکده علوم اجتماعی، پژوهشگاه حوزه و دانشگاه، قم، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسنده [English]
Introduction: Political theorists typically ground the validity of their political viewpoints in a specific understanding of human nature. Consequently, political theorizing has historically been closely linked to thinkers' conceptions of human ultimate perfection and the highest good. Building upon this theoretical basis, this article first explains the theory of human happiness from the perspective of the Holy Qur'an and then examines its implications for political theory. For theories adopting a divine and religious approach to political philosophy, the pursuit of individual and social happiness is considered the paramount objective. Accordingly, this paper aims to elucidate the political and social dimensions of the theory of happiness, recognized as one of the most critical anthropological topics.
Methods: This study utilizes the thematic interpretation method (tafsīr mawḍū'ī) of the Holy Qur'an to present a coherent understanding of the theory of human happiness and ultimate perfection from a Qur'anic perspective. Subsequently, the implications and consequences of this theory for political philosophy are explored.
Results and Discussion: The Qur'anic perspective on human happiness is emphasized across various verses. The most important goals highlighted include receiving divine mercy, undergoing divine testing, and attaining servitude and proximity to God ('ubūdiyyah and qurb ilāhī). Specifically, verse 56 of Surah Adh-Dhariyat expresses a comprehensive theory of human happiness centered on the principle of servitude to God.
This ultimate goal holds specific consequences and implications for political theory. Every political theory inherently incorporates an understanding of human happiness and, in turn, supports and protects a particular form of human life and well-being. In this sense, the Qur'an's servitude-centric theory of human happiness provides specific mandates for the political theory sanctioned by the Qur'an. Its first implication is the determination of the state's ultimate goal. The objective(s) of the state are the most crucial component of any theory of governance. The legitimacy of the state, the identity of the rulers, and the manner of exercising political authority—as the main components of any state theory—are all determined by their relationship to the state's defined goal. Therefore, the state must establish and implement the rules of social life based on the qualities and characteristics that define human happiness (i.e., servitude and proximity to God). Another implication of the Qur'anic theory of happiness for political theory is the negation of secularism. This implies that the distinction between the realm of religion and the realm of politics is inherently unjustified and conflicts with human nature. Finally, the necessity of the political leadership of the Infallible Imam (AS) in a religious political society is another result of this servitude-based understanding of happiness. The political leadership of the Infallibles means that political authority must be realized through the leadership of the Infallible Imam (AS), who is recognized as being at the highest level of servitude and divine proximity.
Conclusions: The theory of happiness centered on servitude both justifies the existence and legitimacy of the state and determines its main purpose as its most important component. The distinction between the realm of religion and the realm of politics, which serves as the theoretical basis for secularism, is considered an unjustified and contradictory distinction in light of the theory of happiness derived from servitude to God and obedience to divine commands. Moreover, the leadership along the path toward divine proximity and servitude to God must be executed by the Infallible Imam (AS). The political leadership of the Infallibles signifies that political authority must rest with those who embody the highest level of servitude and divine proximity.
کلیدواژهها [English]
منابع
References
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