فصلنامه سراج منیر
پیاپی 11 (تابستان 1392)

The [underpinning] philosophy of the creation of mankind is worshiping of God, and one of the most ancient worshiping rituals common in all religions is [the act of] sacrifice. In the Holy Quran, sacrifice started from the time of Adam and has been regarded as one of the religious obligations [(Wājib)] and as a part of the rites of Hajj. In Ancient Persia, sacrifice existed before and from the times of Zarathustra, and was later banned and became to be known more as an offering. In Avesta, many people have been named who, in order to reach their desires, offered numerous sacrifices. Zoroastrians believe that it is an obligation unto any human to help others six five-day-long times (Gahanbar). This article, with a comparative approach, delves into the lexicology of sacrifice, sacrifice in Avesta, sacrifice in Quran, and the commonalities and differences of these two books.

Interpretative methodology is one of the most important sciences in the field of Quran Studies, which can extract the understanding and interpretation of Quran through different methods. The interpreter’s degree of acquaintance with the author and the text also has a direct relation with this understanding. This feature in the majestic Infallibles (as), due to their closeness to the text of Quran and the realm of Wahy [(divine revelation)], increases the importance of studying interpretive Traditions in two dimensions. First, regarding the transfer of content and second, as acquiring a model from their interpretive method. Imam Reza’s (as) language and responses are with Quran and derived from it. Therefore, the need for an Infallible’s (as) explanation in interpreting the Quran is vital, and a disregard [towards their comments] will result in deviation and departure from the true meaning of the verses of Quran. Imam Reza’s (as) interpretative methodology has emerged in different types such as [in terms of] guidance, application of credibility, and application of practice and behavior, including the actions and behaviors of one’s own and others. In some instances, part of a verse has been invoked, instead of a whole verse or verses. It can be said that the interpretative methodology of the Infallibles (as), although in some instances can be modeled by others, does not have universality and cannot be extended to ordinary people.

Resemblance is a well-known device in oratory. In this article, ten samples of the verses of the Holy Quran, in which resemblance has been used, are reviewed, and the views and analysis of interpreters and scholars specializing in Quran are explained. The main point is that the application of concepts such as ‘mind’, ‘conscience’, ‘ego’, ‘soul’, ‘ridicule’, forgetfulness’, ‘wile’, ‘deception’ etc. to the holy nature of God is not admissible, and, in case these concepts have emerged in the verses [of Quran], they have been used with for the sake of uniformity, similarity, and syntactic and rhetorical symmetry, which is one of the literary styles of this holy book.

In addition to extensive Islamic studies and texts in the field of conventional economics, some studies and research, based on different categorization of economics, have been carried out with the aim of studying the ethical foundations of Islamic economy. However, in the field of finances and investments, there has been no studies with an ethical approach to fiscal matters such as markets and novel financial instrument, and investment approaches and methods. This article, after studying the ethics of economy, will define the ethics of investment and the relation between ethics of investment and the present literature on ethics of economy. The main question in this article is that what are the requirements and the ethical and educational moral lessons of Islam about investment activities? Afterwards, with a process-based approach to investment, and from the viewpoint of the Quran and Sacred Traditions, ethical topics and themes have been categorized as and studied in three main groups of pre-investment, investment, and post-investment. Categorization of verses and Traditions, as well as devising a subject-based framework for ethics of investment are included in the findings of this article.

The present research is an effort to understand the literal and spiritual mysteries of the noble dhikr of “There is No God but Allah”, which, according to most Shiite and Sunni scholars, is one of the best and most beneficial dhikrs for a Muslim. The researcher, with his knowledge in the field of Quran and Hadith studies, aims to prove his claim through utilizing the Quran and Itrat [(the Ahl al-Bayt)], two precious memorials left by the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Many researches have been carried out regarding numerical issues in the I’jaz [(inimitability)] of “There is No God but Allah”, most of which are derived from personal taste and lack reliable scientific basis. However, [the question is] are the mysteries of this dhikr limited to numerical issues or do they include different types of I’jaz. Scholars, via careful examination of Quran and Sunnah, consider different aspects of I’jaz for this dhikr. In this research, it has been tried, through a comprehensive view toward numerous Shiite and Sunni resources about this dhikr, to unveil its mysteries as much as possible.

The concept of education is one of the most important topics common amongst Islamic scholars and those of the West. In the West, from long ago, especially after the flourishing of the Greek school in the voices of Plato and Aristotle, much attention has been given to this subject. In Islam as well, the attention to the concept of education has a long history, which is due to the fact that Islam holds education in a valuable status and has great concerns toward this concept. Muslim scholars, in light of the nurturing and fostering teachings of Islam, have carried out many studies about mankind, his perfection, happiness and prosperity, and the ways to achieve perfection, and they have laid the foundation of systems of thought to provide answers to the questions about mankind and his education. In the contemporary era, figures such as Allameh Tabataba’i, Imam Khomeini, martyr [Morteza] Motahari and Sayyid Qutb, using mixed methods, with a comparative approach and an awareness of the new social, political, cultural and educational developments, stepped into this field. In this article, through invoking and utilizing Martyr Motahari’s thoughts and mindset, different dimensions of the subject of education, such as the concept and nature of education, Islam and education, and influential factors in education will be studied.

Mankind, in order to reach true and eternal happiness and prosperity is in need of a guide. In line with this notion, Quran, as the book of guidance, introduces as the purpose of its descent the delivery of mankind to the true final destination, which is [the concept of] nearness to God. Therefore, it seems imperative to identify and explain the principles and methods which are derived from the Quran and are suitable to mankind’s needs and existence, and to use these principles and methods for his prosperity. Through determining Quran as the pivotal point as an educational source, and choosing Surah Al-Kahf and extracting educational basics, principles and methods from it, this article aims to take a step forward as a part of this educational collection. [We aim to do this] through preparing this article with attention to the definition of education, the starting age of education, servitude [of God] as the final goal, and the extraction of various educational basics and principles. Moreover, principles include the principle of knowing [and understanding] God, self and the world, the principle of selection and commitment based on love, the principle of virtue [(taqvā)], and the principle of teacher training [and development]. We have also extracted the methods required to realize each of these principles and capabilities from this surah.