Explaining the concept and process of talent according to Islamic sources

In the educational system of Islam, in which the goal is to reach man to excellence, there is nothing but flourishing innate talents which are in potential form in man. This study aimed to investigate the concept and process of talent according to Islamic sources. The method of the study is descriptive-analytical. The study findings showed that the word “talent” in its today’s psychology and education usage has not been used in the religious sources; however, there are some religious concepts and themes referring to talent and its developmental process. Based on the findings, talent according to the religious view is a combination of natural human abilities, talents, and capacities which are shown in a specific field, prepare the ground for moral virtues, and are in direction of man’s excellence and flourish. Also, the findings showed that there are three concepts that explain the process of the religious concept of talent: “nature”, “affliction”, and “excellence”. A process which starts with the “nature”, results in discovering the talent by intervening “afflictions”, and through the acquisition of moral virtues conveys man to flourish and “excellence”.