Critical Analysis of the Relationship between Loving Faith and Social Cohesion and Collective Ethics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

2 PhD Student, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

Abstract

The theory of "loving faith" (īmān-i ʿāshiqāna) emphasizes the emotional experience and heartfelt relationship of the individual with God, elevating faith beyond the mere assent to cognitive propositions to a level of passionate and affective disposition. This approach raises fundamental questions concerning the social and ethical functions of religion. In this regard, the present study seeks to answer the following question: Is social cohesion and collective ethics realizable on the basis of the presuppositions of the theory of "loving faith"? Employing a descriptive-analytical method, this article critically examines the anthropological and epistemological foundations of "loving faith." The findings of the analysis indicate that while this theory offers an attractive interpretation of the individual experience of religiosity and strengthens intrinsic motivations for commitment to the sacred realm, it faces serious challenges in fulfilling the fundamental requirements of social cohesion and the realization of collective ethics. The excessive emphasis on the affective and individual dimensions of faith, without sufficient attention to the normative, rational, and directive mechanisms of religion, may lead to moral relativism and the weakening of collective responsibility. Thus, while "loving faith" possesses the potential to enhance the spiritual dimension of individual life, for the attainment of stable social and ethical functions, it requires integration with theoretical and practical frameworks that emphasize the rational, social, and legal (sharʿī) dimensions of religion, in accordance with the theological foundations of Islam.

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