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The Divine Principle of Trial in the Holy Qur’an: An Interpretive Reading of Human Moral Education
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Haniyeh Balali   , Abbas Hemami1 |
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Abstract: (1 Views) |
| The divine principles in the Holy Qur’an, as fixed and governing principles of human life, play a fundamental role in explaining the relationship between God and humanity and in understanding the mechanism of guidance and moral education. Among these traditions, the tradition of divine trial occupies a central place, since it is directly connected with human free will, responsibility, and the quality of moral action. The Qur’an presents trial not merely as exposure to suffering, but as a comprehensive and purposeful process whose ultimate aim is to test the best deed (aḥsan ʿamal) and to actualize faith across the various dimensions of human existence. This study, using an interpretive-analytical approach, examines the nature of the divine principle of trial in the Holy Qur’an and investigates its educational and moral effects in the individual and social life of human beings. In the first stage, through a conceptual analysis of the Qur’anic terms related to trial, including ibtilāʾ (trial), fitnah (temptation/trial), and imtiḥān (examination), it is shown that these concepts refer to different yet complementary layers of the moral educational process: from revealing inner truth and distinguishing genuine faith from mere claim, to testing the sincerity of the heart and human intention. Then, drawing on authentic Qur’anic exegeses, especially al-Mīzān and Majmaʿ al-Bayān, the place of the trial principle within the system of divine traditions is clarified, and its relationship with the traditions of guidance, respite (imhlāl), and gradual enticement (istidrāj) is examined. In the next stage, the article adopts a three-dimensional framework and analyzes the educational and moral effects of divine trial in cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions. The findings show that, in the cognitive dimension, divine trial provides the basis for self-knowledge, the testing of faith, and human epistemic awakening; in the affective dimension, by purifying attachments and directing emotions, it reconstructs moral and faith-based tendencies; and in the behavioral dimension, it moves faith from the level of claim to the sphere of concrete action, manifesting itself in practical repentance, active patience, and behavioral gratitude. The overall conclusion of this research is that the divine principle of trial in the Holy Qur’an is a comprehensive, education-oriented tradition that, by engaging human reason, heart, and action simultaneously, provides the basis for gradual and sustainable moral growth. A balanced interpretive understanding of this tradition can prevent reductionist and suffering-centered readings and open new horizons in Qur’anic ethics and education, especially in addressing the concerns of contemporary human beings. |
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| Keywords: Divine Law of Testing, Affliction, Fitna, Trial, Discernment. |
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Full-Text [PDF 1704 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/1 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1
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