نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسنده
دانشیار، گروه فلسفه و کلام اسلامی، دانشکده الهیات و معارف اهل‌البیت (ع) دانشگاه اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسنده [English]
Introduction and Objectives: The 21st century is the age of globalization, science, and technology, yet many human societies are entangled in numerous crises. Millions of people suffer from injustice, oppression, and violence. In the postmodern world, people are still under pressure from unemployment, poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and homelessness. Refugees and marginalized people are victims of war and violence and endure the torment of racism and discrimination. Currently, the liberation struggles of these oppressed people, hoping to be freed from suffering and oppression, have begun on a large scale and continue in some way. The ideological backbone of such liberation and anti-colonial movements in Muslim societies is the altruistic teachings of Islam. Islam is the religion of kindness towards others, establishing justice among them, granting them their rights, and defending the oppressed and abused. The political theology of Islam, as a religious and anti-colonial liberation theology, was formed in response to the oppression, tyranny, exploitation, interventions of colonialists (imperialism), corruption, backwardness, and poverty of Third World countries (especially the Middle East and some Latin American countries). Islam calls on all the freedom-seekers of the world not to remain silent in the face of poverty and oppression and to rise up for the freedom of the deprived and oppressed and against structural oppression and violence. The religious duty of a true believer is to fight against the existing conditions and realize social justice and public welfare. Therefore, liberation theologians do not consider theology merely "knowing God in a theoretical way," but rather actualizing it through fighting against poverty, oppression, discrimination, and class divisions. The purpose of this article is to analyze the roots of this humanitarian approach in the religious texts of Christianity and Islam and to identify its common features in these two traditions.
Method: This research was conducted using the documentary method and content analysis. In this method, first, religious and historical texts related to the topic of liberation theology in Islam and Christianity were collected, and then, using content analysis techniques, the concepts and teachings related to this topic were extracted and analyzed.
For data collection, library resources such as books, articles, and documents related to liberation theology, political sociology, and religious studies were used. Also, the holy and narrative texts of Islam and Christianity have been used to extract teachings related to social justice, the fight against oppression, and support for the deprived. In the content analysis stage, key concepts such as justice, freedom, oppression, poverty, deprivation, and solidarity with the deprived were identified, and then the relationships between these concepts were examined using a comparative approach between the two religious traditions. Finally, using the findings from the analysis of the texts, a model for Islamic liberation theology with an emphasis on solidarity with the deprived has been presented.
Results: The research findings showed that Islamic liberation theology is rooted in the justice-seeking and anti-oppression teachings of Islam. Islam, by emphasizing concepts such as justice, equality, brotherhood, and social solidarity, calls for the fight against any kind of oppression, injustice, and inequality. Islam's support for liberation movements is based on principles such as uncompromising with oppressors, spiritual connection, sacred love and hatred, and love for the people. Islamic liberation theology, by emphasizing the socio-political role of Islam in confronting poverty, oppression, and inequality, shows that Islam is not only an individual religion but also a social and political religion that pays special attention to improving the living conditions of the deprived and oppressed. Also, the research indicated that there are many common points between Islamic liberation theology and Christian liberation theology. Both approaches emphasize justice, freedom, solidarity with the deprived, and the fight against oppression and injustice. These common points can provide the ground for dialogue and cooperation between the followers of these two religions in order to achieve social justice and eliminate deprivation.
Discussion and Conclusion: Islamic liberation theology, an understudied area, warrants further scholarly attention. Emphasizing Islamic teachings on justice and the religion's socio-political role in combating oppression, this approach offers the potential for improving the lives of the marginalized. Drawing inspiration from shared principles between Islam and Christianity, it can foster interreligious dialogue and collaboration towards achieving social justice and alleviating deprivation. This article challenges traditional theological approaches that fail to address contemporary human needs, analyzing commonalities between Islamic and Christian liberation theologies. Traditional theology, in both faiths, often focuses on a God depicted with absolute, detached attributes, an image that has proven ineffective and even detrimental in the modern world, contributing to environmental damage, social inequality, and discrimination.
In response, theologians have sought more relevant interpretations. Liberation theology, originating within Christian theology, arose from a perceived neglect of social issues by the Church. This article explores the roots of liberation theology within Islam's anti-tyrannical mission, highlighting Islam's emphasis on justice, equality, and the fight against oppression, exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Islamic political theology, as a form of liberation theology, emerged in response to global injustices like oppression, exploitation, and poverty.
Despite its significance, "Islamic liberation theology" remains relatively unexplored. This article proposes an Islamic model of political theology as liberation theology, examining its theoretical and practical dimensions. A key feature of both Christian and Islamic liberation theology is the emphasis on faith in action. Faith devoid of liberating action is considered insufficient for individual and societal well-being. Genuine faith, therefore, necessitates engagement with and transformation of unjust social structures. From this perspective, faith and spirituality are dynamic forces manifested in tangible actions. Believers are called to be actively involved in the world, loving God's creation, opposing oppressors, and standing in solidarity with the marginalized.
Acknowledgment: The author of the article sincerely appreciates the tireless efforts of the esteemed editor of the journal and the honorable reviewers, whose valuable suggestions helped the author in conducting this research.
Conflict of Interest: The author of the article has no conflict of interest in conducting this research.
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
* قرآن کریم
* نهج‌البلاغه (1378). گردآورنده: سید رضی، تهران: دفتر نشر فرهنگ اسلامی.
* The Holy Quran [In Persian].
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