The Evolution of Religion in Society; a Comparative Study between the Opinions of Allamah Tabatabaei in Al-Mizan and Durkheim

The first monotheistic religion has descended to [the people of] the earth with the landing of the first human being on it. But over time, changes and developments occurred in the internal and external layers of this religion. Studying the central point of these changes is an important issue that should be looked for in terms of the extent of societies’ involvement in this issue, as a result of which earthly interpretations of religion were presented, or it can be looked for elsewhere to avoid degrading the essence and identity of religion.This article, part of which is descriptive, explains Durkheim’s point of view on the issue of the evolution of religion, and in the other part, which is analytical and critical, aims to understand the view of Allama Tabatabai (RA) on the evolution of religion, in order to present Durkheim's social point of view regarding the origin and development of religion to Allama’s perspective, and to examine the problems and criticisms directed at Durkheim by him.It has been reached that, contrary to Durkheim's opinion, who defined religion according to contemporary requirements of mankind, and viewed these changes as being in the field of the essence of religion; Allamah Tabatabai belives that the basis of religion is the same from the time of the Prophet Adam until the emergence of Islam as the last heavenly religion. The content of all heavenly religions is monotheism, but it has manifested itself in different forms, whether it was strict or lenient, according to the requirements of time and place, people’s understanding, social norms, political relations, etc.; In other words, the laws have been differed, but the religion was one fixed religion. Islam is comprehensive of all the past shar'ias, and has achieved all of their goals through its comprehensiveness..