ماهنامه معرفت
سال بیست و یکم شماره 3 (پیاپی 174، خرداد 1391)

The present paper offers an explanation of Imam Sajjad's Munajat al-Muridin (whispered conversation of the devotees). In this part of Munajat (whispered conversation), Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) describes God-seeking servants whose aim is attainment of nearness to God. In this course which is full of ups and downs, it is necessary to have a model and a guide which shows the way in the spiritual journey to achieve perfection. Furthermore, it is necessary for one to recognize and realize the kindness shown by the Most High God to the wayfarers of His path. God's grace and kindness to servants of God are continual. However, man is remiss in remembering God's favors. Some neglects giving thanks even to their parents, friends, and spouse for their love and kindness. The reason why thanksgiving to God and thanksgiving to parents are mentioned next to one another in the Holy Quran is to train man how to be tanksful. Finally, Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) explains the measures taken by God for attracting the remiss towards Him.

Recently, the question of forgiveness has been of special concern to positivist psychologists and experts of mental health. Researchers have proved that there is a particular relationship between forgiveness and mental and physical health. Surprisingly, the Holy Quran, traditions, and supplications have dealt with this topic. The present research reviews the Quranic verses and fifty-two supplications of Sahifa Sajjadiyyah in particular, focusing on the question of forgiveness.Having taken a glance at the idea of forgiveness, theoretical definitions and forgiver's characteristics, the author, relying on modern scientific texts, discusses its merits and benefits in as far as an individual’s mental and psychological health is concerned. In this study, special attention is given by religious texts to the component of forgiveness which is emphasized in the traditions and more importantly in the supplications of Sahifa Sajjadiyyah. The research findings show that such terms as forgiveness, pardon, and excuse have been mentioned more than 120 times in the Quranic verses and traditions and in the supplications of Sahifa Sajjadiyyah in particular. The findings of this research, as it seems, shows the importance of interdisciplinary studies into the religious concepts comparing them and that of their comparison and contrast with modern scientific texts.

Constancy of a psychological school is one of the greatest aspirations of those who have founded this school. The acquaintance with the factors of constancy and rate of their effect can help much in overcoming the weaknesses and increasing the strengths of any school. Having a psychological school which accords with Islam is really necessary. The present paper studies the factors of constancy or decline of the behavioristic main approaches. Using a theoretical- analytical method, this paper underlines some of the factors of constancy and tries to assess the attention which the different behavioristic approaches give to these factors. The research results show that there is a significant difference which manifests itself in two aspects: the scale of attention given by the different behavioristic approaches to these factors and the rate of effect of each factor on the constancy of that approach.

In recent years, a multi-dimensional model for treating depression derived from Islamic texts has been the subject of speculation and used to cure the depressed. The present paper reviews the main constituents of the aforementioned approach, putting special emphasis on the contents of Sahifa Sajjadiyyah. Referring the available sources, this library-based survey first identifies the main constituents of Islamic model for curing depression. Then, it compares these constituents with the ideas derived from Sahifa Sajjadiyyah. It shows that the rich contents of Sahifa Sajjadiyyah is desirably compatible with the main constituents of Islamic approach to the treatment of depression.

The present paper tries to make explicit the differences between man and woman and their roles and functions. Its main aim is to find out the grounds and contexts which are necessary for a lively and peaceful life regarding the relation between man and woman by recognizing the differences between the opposite sexes in different dimensions. This research uses a descriptive-analytical method, and the data are obtained through a study of these differences in scientific and religious sources. The effects and functions of these differences are based on religious and psychological studies and the important finding of this research is perceiving the differences between the opposite sexes regarding physical, natural, sexual, emotional, and intellectual aspects. This perception helps us to lead an agreeable life of accountability and spirituality by sharing love and affection, happiness, joy, and equality and just judgment.

The present paper tries to documentary evidence introduce the Islamic view concerning the symptoms of jealousy. This research which is a library-based survey is a basic kind of research project, which seeks to study the indicators and symptoms of jealousy and introduce a psychological analysis of it. That is, the characteristics of a jealous person have been descriptively gathered from commentaries of the Holy Quran and narrative books and the data have been classified and then analyzed. After providing a literal and a technical definition of jealousy and contrasting it with such concepts like envy, emulation, competition, zeal, and rancor, the paper discusses the symptomatology of jealousy in the light of Quranic verses and traditions, and divides the symptoms of jealousy into three constituents: cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. Three cognitive symptoms, six emotional symptoms, and nine behavioral symptoms for jealousy extracted from Islamic resources have been recognized. Finally, ways of under jealousy tentatively and definitively have been introduced.

Deep understanding of the theories of the human sciences requires good acquaintance with the intellectual foundations and thoughts of the theorists of this field of study. Using a descriptive – analytical method, the present paper tries to analyze and criticize Jean Piaget's epistemological principles. Piaget, basically a philosopher of biology, used an epistemological and ontological method to explore the nature of the development of man’s, cognition and his studies led to the emergence of the cognitive development theory. After examining his views, this paper concludes that: first, disregarding the difference in nature between rational and experimental issues, Piaget strove through an empirical approach to explore the methods of development and nature of knowledge in man; secondly, influenced by biology and reducing man's position to a developed organism, he considered good social life as man's ultimate aim; thirdly, defining the mechanism of experimental development of knowledge in man, he denied intuitive knowledge; fourthly, the method of knowledge formation according to his views has led to the materialization of science.

One of the educational tools, which has been a matter of dispute among education authorities is inflecting different types of punishment in education, especially corporal punishment. Some psychologists reject the method of inflecting punishment; they believe that the use of punishment to eliminate uncouth behavior is not only of no avail but also harmful. Therefore, they urge parents and trainers to avoid it. Conversely, other psychologists, relying on the view point of education and Islam, oppose this position. They believe that corporal punishment is not only harmful but it also contributes to eliminating children’s undesirable behavior and bringing about lasting effect to them.Islamic resources endorse different types of punishment as a preventive tool of education. The Quranic verses and the Fourteen Infallible Imam's traditions also endorse corporal punishment, in addition to fixed and discretionary punishments as a method of moral reform.