Imam al-Sajjād’s Method and Practice of Moral Education

One dimension of Imam al-Sajjād’s lifestyle is his approach to training and education. This research employs a descriptive and analytical method to explore the Imam’s techniques in morally educating individuals. It seeks to address a fundamental question: What were Imam al-Sajjād’s methods and practices in moral education, and how did he go about morally training individuals? Our study delves into the Imam's approach to moral training in three aspects: cognitive, attitudinal and emotive, and practical. In this moral educational style, the primary cognitive methods encompass elucidating the worldview and establishing moral values, enhancing the trainee’s awareness of moral doctrines, recounting moral stories, and addressing deviated sects. The emotive and attitudinal methods employed by the Imam in moral education involve kindness and affection, honoring the trainee’s character, observing their moods, providing encouragement and admonishment, engaging in preaching, and offering role models. Finally, the principal practical methods of Imam al-Sajjād in moral training include the purification of the soul, promoting what is right and discouraging what is wrong, expressing grief through weeping and mourning, and establishing religious seminaries.