The Pathology of Servitude in the Realm of Feelings and Emotions

Feelings and emotions play a special role in human’s behavior and actions. This influence is also seen in the realm of worship and religious behavior. It is debatable whether emotions contribute to worship and servitude or act as deterrents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the harms that emotions can inflict on the realm of worship and achievement of nearness to God. Previous studies have not explicitly addressed this issue. Therefore, in order to achieve this goal, the descriptive-analytical method and library method (collection of data from valid interpretive, narrative, and ethical sources) have been used. The findings of the study show that negative and deterring emotions such as fear and despair can prevent a person from moving towards servitude, because they prevent the true knowledge of God and, consequently, the acts of worship. The relationship between these feelings and regression in the path of servitude is a synergistic one. Therefore, the root of some sins such as jealousy can be found in feelings that are abnormal and contrary to human nature.