A new reading of Surah Al-A'raf with an emphasis on the component of governance in social life
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Department of Theological Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
2
Qanbarali Roudgar, Associate Professor, Department of Theology Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran
3
Master's student, Quran and Hadith Sciences, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Abstract
Surah Al-A'raf is one of the seven long Surahs of the Holy Quran. Contemporary commentators have considered the subject of social life as an interpretative subject applicable to the concepts of this Surah. In addition to confirming this issue, the analysis of the content of this Surah shows that in this Surah, more emphasis is placed on the characteristics of good governance among the components of social life. Paying attention to the subject of social life and the component of governance as the most important component of social life can show the commentator a different face of Surah Al-A'raf, especially the verses related to the A'rafites. Various views have been presented by Shiite and Sunni commentators about who the "A'rafites" are. Some have considered the A'rafites to be prophets, righteous people, others have considered them to be the guardians of hell, angels, jinn, immature children, and others have considered them to be a people whose sins and good deeds are equal. Understanding this Surah through thematic and structural interpretation methods, in addition to being able to determine the case of the A’rafians, can provide a new explanation of why this conversation occurred. The characteristics of a good ruler in this Surah can be clearly identified. The analysis of the content of Surah A’raf, especially the verses related to the A’rafians, shows various indicators of a good ruler, which can be applied to the characteristics of a good ruler in social life. Indicators such as: interpersonal relationships, compassion, decision-making, awareness, corruption control, and foresight
Surah Al-A'raf is one of the seven long Surahs of the Holy Quran. Contemporary commentators have considered the subject of social life as an interpretative subject applicable to the concepts of this Surah. In addition to confirming this issue, the analysis of the content of this Surah shows that in this Surah, more emphasis is placed on the characteristics of good governance among the components of social life. Paying attention to the subject of social life and the component of governance as the most important component of social life can show the commentator a different face of Surah Al-A'raf, especially the verses related to the A'rafites. Various views have been presented by Shiite and Sunni commentators about who the "A'rafites" are. Some have considered the A'rafites to be prophets, righteous people, others have considered them to be the guardians of hell, angels, jinn, immature children, and others have considered them to be a people whose sins and good deeds are equal. Understanding this Surah through thematic and structural interpretation methods, in addition to being able to determine the case of the A’rafians, can provide a new explanation of why this conversation occurred. The characteristics of a good ruler in this Surah can be clearly identified. The analysis of the content of Surah A’raf, especially the verses related to the A’rafians, shows various indicators of a good ruler, which can be applied to the characteristics of a good ruler in social life. Indicators such as: interpersonal relationships, compassion, decision-making, awareness, corruption control, and foresight
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