Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Abstract
Human being is a creature who inherently identifies him/herself as a creature with dignity and thus seeks the respect of others. Preserving this dignity as a natural right, has been the basis for religious ides and courses and some human laws such as universal declaration of human rights. This right has constantly been among the needs and desires of human beings and depriving from it hinders humans from growth and perfection. In other words, dignity plays a fundamental role in change, evolution and perfection of human beings and the society.
A large number of Hadith from Imam Reza (AS) as well as his life style and manners indicate that how elements of dignity help the human beings to fulfill their prime. The main question, then, is that from Imam Reza (AS) point of view how this role is played.
Studies show that Imam considers a basic fundamental role for the components of human dignity including devotion, rationality, seeking freedom and justice and gratitude as any of them affect human perfection in different levels.
The first level, devotion, leads to the comprehension of God where the foundation of such cognition, is to believe in God's unity. Rationality, both in theory and practice, brings a perception of the truth and observing that truth in humans' deeds. Freedom seeking prevents inaction and indolence in various aspects of life: individual, social, political, etc. Righteousness and seeking justice results in not committing acts such as corruption, lying, and bribery. Lastly, true gratitude is achievable through taking certain steps like faith, believe in God's unity, and serving people.
There are many components to human dignity all of which we are unable to explain in this article. With an analytical-descriptive method, this document surveys only a number of these components in Islamic Opinion and then traces and elucidates their impacts on human perfection from the point of view of Imam Reza (AS).
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