Development of a Conceptual Model of Nearness to God and its Validation; Based on Allameh Tabataba'i's Thoughts

Religious conceptualization is the basis for the application of religious ideas in different individual, family and social levels. The purpose of this research is to develop a conceptual model of nearness to God and its validation based on Allameh Tabataba'i's thoughts. In the development of the model, the methodology of this fundamental research is descriptive –analytical and in terms of content analysis, it is qualitative. In the validation section, the Delphi method with two coefficients of the ratio of validity and content validity index is used. With reflection on the terminology of "nearness" and its analysis in Allamah Tabataba'i's thoughts, the three components of gradual movement, transcendence-seeking selection and programming, and the eight sub-components of awareness-raising, rapprochement, unification, pragmatism, transcendental goal selection, routing, alertness and adherence were identified. Based on these components, nearness to God is a gradual movement through which the soul selects the transcendental goal of nearness to God in the path of devotion, modifies his beliefs, emotions, motives and behaviors, and gradually earns perfection with vigilance and adherence to the laws of God. Therefore, it can be said that religious teachings have the capacity for psychological explanation and the design of conceptual models, and prepare the ground for dialogue about the application of religious concepts in the individual and social health.