Foundations of the Quranic System of Servitude: Evidence from the Shia and Sunni Tafsirs

 The moral aspects of servitude make one of the fundamental themes in the Holy Quran; through a systematic outlook, appreciation of its moral teachings become easier. Piety is the most basic value in the moral teachings of servitude to and before God. The present descriptive-analytical study focuses first on discovering and giving definitions of piety in the servitude-oriented construct as indicated in the Holy Quran, including its elements, principles, and aims, followed by the relation of piety and the elements of this structure based on such tafsirs as al-Mizan, al-Minar, Fi Zilal al-Quran, and al-Kashshaf. Comparison reveals that they share in many points. Piety is an element basic to epistemology, theology, anthropology, and cosmology; hence an important element in the formation, preservation, and improvement of one's outlook, moral inclinations, and moral code of conducts. Continuation and improvement of piety is essential for achieving elementary, intermediate, and ultimate aims. According to Quranic verses, worshipping God is an elementary aim, piety is the intermediate aim, and getting well nigh to God is the ultimate aim.