A Comparative Study Evaluating the Islamic Approach to the ‎Meaning of Life

Document Type : The Quarterly Jornal

Authors

1 Saeideh Bayat: Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Philosophy of Education, Faculty of ‎Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran‎

2 Masoud Safaei Moghadam: Professor, Department of Philosophy of Education, Faculty of ‎Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran ‎‎(Corresponding Author). ‎

3 Seyyed Mansour Marashi: Professor, Department of Philosophy of Education, Faculty of ‎Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.‎

4 Parvaneh Valavi: Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy of Education, Faculty of ‎Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.‎

Abstract

This article first analyzes and critiques three major viewpoints on the meaning of life using a conceptual analysis method: 1) the naturalistic and non-religious view; 2) the non-naturalistic and nihilistic view; and 3) the supernaturalistic,  theistic, and religious view. The article then examines the issue of the meaning of life within the framework of these three perspectives across ontological, epistemological, and axiological dimensions. The study concludes, through a comparative method, that there is a strong link between religious beliefs and the conviction that life is meaningful. It is also shown that the question of the meaning of life is directly related to the issue of human creation and whether or not it is considered purposeful. The research demonstrates that in the process of answering the question of the meaning of life, religious beliefs pointing to a transcendent purpose and a purposeful creation provide a rational foundation for considering life meaningful.The religion of Islam, with its foundational principles, especially the idea of monotheism (Tawhid), provides the necessary ground for a robust and clear answer to the question of the meaning of life, saving humanity from aimlessness and futility. Ultimately, life becomes meaningful through the knowledge of God and a direct connection with Him.

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References

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