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Contemporary Islam

25-03-2024

Pathology of life in the Coronavirus-stricken world: a re-analysis of Sadraean practical theology

Authors: Mahdi Ganjvar, Nafiseh Ahl Sarmadi, Sayyed Mahdi Emami Jome

Published in: Contemporary Islam

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Abstract

In this analytical article, we will examine the challenges and pathological problems of living in a Coronavirus-stricken world based on the practical theology foundations of Mulla Sadra (the seventeenth-century Iranian Muslim theosopher). The COVID-19 pandemic has been a potential source of psychological, social, and religious challenges and harms. The synthesis of selfishness and altruism in man is one of the most central pathological issues in everyday life, especially in collective religious rituals during the Coronavirus epidemic. The present study aims to identify these potential challenges and harms and provide a theological solution. The findings show that the two theories of “employment” and “annihilation in the love of people” in Mulla Sadar’s applied theology have the necessary epistemological capacity to resolve some socio-religious challenges caused by the epidemic. In his theological system, love for humans, regardless of race, gender, and religion, is included under love for God. Such a spiritual perspective towards man requires belief in the rights of all human beings and the preference of collective interests over individual ones. In this way, selfishness and self-centeredness, as the moral challenge of living in acute conditions, such as Corona crisis, can be solved by relying on these theological teachings. The study used the descriptive-analytical method, in which we will describe and then analyze in depth the research findings.

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Title: Pathology of life in the Coronavirus-stricken world: a re-analysis of Sadraean practical theology
Authors: Mahdi Ganjvar
Nafiseh Ahl Sarmadi
Sayyed Mahdi Emami Jome
Publication date: 25-03-2024
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Contemporary Islam
Print ISSN: 1872-0218
Electronic ISSN: 1872-0226
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11562-024-00557-w

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